4 Stray Katz

3 Sept 2015

An extra warm welcome for Val and Henry

Val and Henry arrived in Kununurra on Monday in the midst of a heatwave, 38 deg and humid each day with very hot nights. It was hot for us but a huge adjustment for them after only leaving wintry Melbourne a week prior. The kids were eager to show off their swimming skills so we all spent a lot of time at the pool in the caravan park. Jackson decided he didn't want his swim ring anymore and impressed us all with his swimming skills. We also visited a zebra rock gallery (a type of stripy rock only found in the East Kimberley), a few parks in the area and a sunset lookout. Daniel and I took the kids to the nearby Mirima National Park early one morning and did a few short hikes but by 9am it was too hot to walk. It was great just chatting and catching up with Val and Henry after not seeing them for nearly 7 months. We left Val and Henry on Thursday morning headed for Purnululu National Park to see The Bungles with plans to meet up on Saturday and find a good camp spot for Daniel's birthday.

Watching the sunset with Opa

The glowing rocks at sunset, an amazing view from our caravan park.

Walking in Mirima NP

A daredevil like his Dad.

At the sunset lookout with Nanna.

Daniel's purchase from Kununurra, it has been very well used since (apologies for the slightly obscene photo!)

2 Sept 2015

Booze Cruise on Lake Argyle

After an overnight stop in Kununurra to restock our dwindled food supplies we headed to Lake Argyle to meet up with James, Emily and the girls, excited about the sunset cruise they had booked us in to.

Lake Argyle is the largest man made lake in the Southern Hemisphere and it is about as big as 19 Sydney harbours. Around 30,000 freshwater crocodiles live in the lake and we saw a lot sunning themselves on the bank. We also saw jabiru, wallaroos and heaps of archer fish. The vastness of the lake is hard to imagine, our cruise took us through what seemed to be a large part of the lake but when shown on a map we had only seen a small section of it. The weather was exceptionally calm so the water was like glass, it was incredible and Daniel desperately wanted to ski on it (locals do). The kids loved laying at the front of the boat with the wind billowing up their clothes. The cruise was incredible but got even better when we stopped for a swim.

One of the many islands on the vast Lake Argyle

As we got into the 35 metre deep water the hosts began throwing out noodles for us to float on (we'd put the kids in their life jackets so they just bobbed along). Once everyone was in they started the fun, cans of beer were hurtled out then a cheese platter with wine in plastic glasses was sent floating on top of a life-ring. The beers kept coming and then a bottle of wine, with its neck inside a small piece of noodle, was sent floating for us to top up. It took a bit of team work to undo a bottle of wine and pour a glass while treading water and bobbing along on a noodle, but we all managed! Whilst sipping wine and floating in the still waters of Lake Argyle we got to watch the most amazing sunset, the colours and reflections were breathtaking.

Their favorite spot on the boat

Posing with a hairy man I met on the boat.

The water was so calm the reflections were amazing. The humid haze also created a surreal effect.

Admiring the incredible view.

Jackson joining the cuddle.

Jackson and Jasmine

Swimming in Lake Argyle

Drinks at sunset - what an experience.

The fun continued once we returned. Thanks to James and Emily for a lovely dinner and for sharing your supplies with us (there was a ban on the sale of alcohol in Kununurra on the weekend we'd been there due to a local footy match so we were completely out).

The next morning we escaped from the heat (and our sore heads) in the luxurious infinity pool looking out over Lake Argyle before heading back to Kununurra in the afternoon, excited about the upcoming arrival of Daniel's parents.

The infinity pool at the caravan park - very indulgent.

The tiny dam wall holding in all that water!

26 Aug 2015

Gibb River Road Tally

Kilometres - 3248

Nights - 60

Free camp areas - 7 different areas, 29 nights

Paid camp areas - 10 different areas, 31 nights

Number of nights in a tent - 12

Gorges - 14

Waterfalls- 10.

Showers - Between 15 and 20

Nude swims - every time we free camped by ourselves!!

Broken toys - only 2 (Action man and Barbie became amputees)

Red dust in van - clouds of it after every drive, the cupboards are full!

Freshwater crocodiles - too many to count, they are prolific in all the gorges we swam in but they hide deep down once people approach

Saltwater crocodiles - 1

Bottles of wine* -18 (1 bottle had to last 3.5 days so rationed to one decent glass every afternoon!)

Bottles of Jack Daniels* - 2

Bolts and fittings lost from car - 9

Random screws found rolling around the van (whose homes have still not been found) - 2

* alcohol is not available on the Gibb River Rd so this was the absolute maximum we could carry.

What an adventure! Thanks to Daniel, Emilia and Jackson for so many wonderful memories.

Here are some photos of us looking very scruffy after 9 weeks in the bush.

Easing back into reality: the luxury end of the Gibb River Rd

After nearly 9 weeks exploring along the Gibb River Road our journey was nearing the end as we approached the 'resort' style stations, Home Valley and El Questro, perfect places to reacclimatise us to camping with others. The main attraction at Home Valley Station was a huge playground. After 9 weeks with no playground the kids were enthralled. Our friends James and Emily also stopped over so the kids spent hours making up intricate games on the play equipment. There was also a lovely pool so we managed to amuse ourselves playing, swimming, watching the sunset from two different vantage points nearby (looking over the Pentecost River and the Cockburn Ranges) and visiting Bindoola Gorge. Whilst at the gorge I thought I would practise my diving in the deep water. I am having some coordination problems (how unusual for me I am sure you're thinking!) and my dives are very average. Anyway I am persisting but this time I managed to do a major bellyflop, much to the amusement of everyone, and even give myself a blood nose. I then had the kids trying to give me tips about how to dive better. Very embarrassing!! At Home Valley we also had a great dinner out, eating delicious ribs whilst downing some cold beers and listening to live music. It was a great night (that also blew the budget!).

Jackson building a rock cairn whilst we watch the sunset over the Pentecost River

Interesting photography skills after the large beers at Home Valley!

Batman at our dinner at Home Valley

Rock cairns on the lookout over the Cockburn Ranges

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Wine and sunset - how romantic!

After a couple of nights we headed to El Questro, the most well known station on the Gibb River Rd, and certainly the busiest. It had a lovely swimming hole with little waterfalls and tyres to float around in, it was freezing but very refreshing as a heat wave had hit the Kimberley and the days were heating up to around 38 deg. We spent the afternoon relaxing there. On the way in we had stopped at the much raved about Zebedee Springs, a hot springs with water constantly flowing at around 28deg. There were small rocky pools so you had your own 'bush bath', it was so relaxing and we spent an hour or so lying in the pool.

Just before dusk we drove to the Branco lookout and made it just in time to watch the setting sun changing the colours of the Cockburn ranges. We could also just see the exclusive El Questro homestead where rooms are $2000 per night. The next day we left as early as possible and headed for Emma Gorge. After a challenging walk in, over large rocks and through some beautiful palm forest we were astounded with the beauty of Emma Gorge. The large rocky walls were covered with small ferns, a small waterfall was flowing down, the protruding rocks were dripping water creating a beautiful effect and there was even a hot spring flowing from the rocks creating several warm pools (which were lovely after the near freezing water of the crystal clear pool at the base of the gorge). After our swim we hiked back then made our way off the Gibb River Rd. It was strange driving on the smooth bitumen road after 9 weeks of dirt road and corrugations. We headed to Kununurra, grateful to have been able to spend so long in such an incredibly beautiful and remote part of Australia.

Crossing the Pentecost (view from the car as there are meant to be crocs.)

Soaking in the warm water at Zebedee Springs

Our own hot spring flowing into our own warm pool - bliss.

Palms at Zebedee Springs

Another very warm pool the kids found.

Selfie at Branco's lookout

Looking out over the Pentecost River and El Questro station

Ripple rock at Emma Gorge

Emma Gorge

Warming up in the hot springs at Emma Gorge

25 Aug 2015

Salties on Honeymoon

Honeymoon Bay is part of the Kalumburu Aboriginal Reserve and accessed via the community of Kalumburu. The old mission was established there in 1905 and the community was built around it. The land was given back to the Aboriginal people in 1981 and is managed by the Kalumburu Aboriginal Coorporation who appeared to be doing a great job catering to the needs of the community, keeping them safe (there is zero tolerance on drugs and alcohol in the community) and building up the tourist industry for the betterment of the local people. We were lucky enough to stay at the wonderful Honeymoon Bay campground and meet members of the local family who own and run the property.

Les, Joy and their 11 month old son Oscar made our stay so special. Our stay was also made special as our new friends from Mitchell Falls met up with us and we had a wonderful 4 days together.

Some of the many highlights included:

-Jackson reeling in a trevally during his fishing trip on Les' boat

-Emilia, Jackson and the four Wright girls (Zara, Heidi, Jade & Jasmine) playing on the beach from 6am until they literally fell asleep in their chairs in the evening.

-Eating fresh fish every night (caught by Daniel, James, Emily, Zara and Heidi) on their fishing trips with Les.

- Seeing a saltwater crocodile swim in the bay that we'd been paddling in, then it came near the rocks we were exploring (it was only about 10 metres away).

- Watching Daniel reel in a huge sleepy shark, it took him about 15 minutes and he was sweating and panting by the time he got it near enough to the boat to cut the line.

- Hearing Jackson yell out 'Aye Carumba' when he saw the shark Daniel reeled in.

- Building numerous sandcastles, tunnels and moats with the kids.

- Seeing all 6 kids snuggled up in our tent watching Mary Poppins and eating popcorn.

- Listening to the kids playing their imaginary games of mums and dads, their dialogue was hilarious.

- Camping only a few metres from the high tide mark and listening to the waves roll in as we drifted to sleep.

The only down point was I am apparently the flavour of the month and I got bitten by both mozzies and sand flies. Thankfully the kids didn't get too many but I was very spotty for awhile afterwards.

It is certainly a place we would love to return to.