Fitzroy crossing to Purnululu

Geikie Gorge

We spent one night in Fitzroy Crossing, and it seems that there isn't a lot there.  We did visit Geikie Gorge which is nearby.  We took a boat trip with a ranger.  Someone mentioned that the boat trip was peaceful, and it certainly was, kids would describe it as boring (and to be honest about half way through I would have to agree).  It was very hot out on the water with no breeze or shade.  The boys did really well and it was only the last few minutes that the ants in their pants started up!!  We saw a fresh water crocodile sitting on a rock, birds nesting in the rocks and the gorge walls were, well, gorge walls.  

Croc on a rock

Fitzroy Crossing

On our way out of town we went to visit the Old Fitzroy Crossing, which is a concrete bridge that sits just on the water.  We then drove to a free camping area called Mary Pool, which lots of people recommended we stay at.  We had a great night here.  The camp ground is next to a small river and there are huge gum trees providing some much needed shade.  The great thing was that we had two lovely families camped either side of us.  The boys had fun playing with all the kids and Nick and I had a great time meeting some really nice people.  We even stayed up past 9.30 to sit by the camp fire!!  I had to go to bed at 8.30 the next night to compensate!

Bushfire beside the Highway

Halls Creek Pool

We took our time leaving Mary Pool and arrived in Halls Creek for lunch.  We stopped in at the bakery and the lovely lady working there gave us a few freebies as they were about to close for the weekend.  With tummies full of custard tarts we decided to go for a walk, but the heat was a bit too much and instead went to the local pool.  We found it to be a fantastic pool with great facilities.  We were the only non-indigenous people there, which is a bit different to Northcote!  There were heaps of kids for the boys to play with.  Flynn was gorgeous and at one point he plonked himself in the middle of a few boys who were warming themselves on the concrete at the pool.  Flynn made himself a few new friends!  We were told that Halls Creek is a bit dodgy, but we found people very friendly and saw no signs of dodgyness!

Squirting action!

Exhausted after the pool!

Purnululu NP

Our next stop is Purnululu National Park, home of the Bungle Bungles.  As you cant take a caravan into the park, we stayed at a rest stop on the main highway and met a lovely Spanish couple who looked after the van while we went sight seeing (we had heard stories of caravans going missing from here and we didn't want to come home to no home in the middle of nowhere!).  So it was a rough, rocky road into the park.  55kms with several river crossings and it took two hours to get to the visitor centre, then another 45 mins to the Bungle Bungles.  Lets say it was a big day!    

Piccaninny Creek

The Bungle Bungles were spectacular, their form is amazing and the colours beautiful.  We walked to Piccaninni Creek which is dry at the moment.  We explored the smooth rocks of the river bed which made interesting patterns.  Flynn found some large round pebbles and potholes in the river bed and had a great time getting into them and throwing rocks around.  We then walked to Cathedral gorge, hoping for some shade along the way, but no luck as yet.  It was a very hot walk and we had a long rest for the boys once we got to the cathedral.  The cathedral is a large cavernous area where there is a waterfall during the wet and a pool.  The pool was pretty green, I imagine it has stagnant water there from last wet season.  It was a great place to stop and felt at least 10 degrees cooler than outside.  Flynn discovered a new game of throw your shoe in the water and watch mum and dad try to find a big enough stick to retrieve it.  Not sure why we bothered as he refuses to wear shoes anyway!  The toilet training of Flynn is going well.  We are at the stage where he tells us that he has to do number twos and we have about three seconds to get him to the toilet.  So it ended up that Flynn did number twos in front of a bus load of tourists at the cathedral, but what was more embarrassing was that  Nick and I almost had words over whether its ok to bury the toilet paper or not- I think not and we took it with us.  We had a laugh about it on the way home; the heat does not aid effective communication!  Meanwhile, Flynn was rolling around in the sand like a crazy kid and got sand in his eyes which really hurt.  He cried all the way back to the car which got rid of the sand, but poor Nick had to carry him.  It was very difficult in the harsh Kimberly heat.

Cathedral Gorge

Pool at Cathedral gorge

Waterfall at Cathedral Gorge (in the dry)

Just returned- Aidan asleep, we are all hot and bothered!

River Crossing, Purnululu

So back in the car at about 2.30 and ready for a 3 hour drive home.  All was going well, boys had a big sleep and on the last river crossing, 10 mins from camp,  we got out to take some photos and realised we had a bit of a flat.  By the time we drove to a spot where we could change it, it was as flat as a tack!  Flynn thought it was fantastic- he always wants stories told to him about broken cars and trucks.  So he was excited.  Nick and I were not!  Super husband took charge and changed the tire.  I found the lollies that Nick and I sneak when the boys aren't looking, and fed them to the boys along with anything else that I could find.  We were heading back to camp within 40 mins.  We were exhausted but happy that it didn't happen in the heat of the day.

Definately flat!

Daddys helper

Flynn's first helicopter ride

The next morning I had planned to go on a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles.  Flynn was disappointed that he wasn't going to come and when I asked the pilot to take a photo of me in the helicopter for my son, he offered to take him for free!   So Flynn said he wanted to come, and came too!  I was a bit nervous about whether he would be scared, as it was a cattle mustering helicopter without sides.  He sat very still and said nothing which is very unusual for him.  Poor little thing said that he was scared, but was very animated about the ride afterwards, making loud broom broom sounds!  I don't think he was too scared.  It was a beautiful fight but unfortunately it was very hazy as there have been some bush fires in the area.  I was amazed at how large the area is and how many bungle bungles there are!  We flew over some deep gorges which were spectacular, but it did give you some perspective about how high up you are and that bit was a bit scary.  We flew over a huge cattle station, Mabel Downs, and could see the cattle amongst the red dirt and trees.

Dry riverbed

Ord River

Flynn in the drivers seat

We are in kununurra at the moment and looking forward to a few quiet days in town!

Broome......again!

Playing with the neighbours radio flyer!

 We are finding it difficult to leave Broome and with the Shinju Matsuri festival (the festival of the pearl) on this week, it was great to get involved in some community events.  We started this week with Fathers Day, which is why this blog is dedicated to our lovely Daddy and husband!!

Last week we were driving home from Cape Leveque on the Saturday and I made a worried comment that it must be Father's Day soon.  My lovely husband told me that it was the following weekend as he knew that I wouldn't be able to organise anything special by the next morning.  So the next morning I noticed that the family next door were celebrating something and the father had a home made crown and a superman symbol pinned to his top.  Of course- Fathers Day!!  So our fathers Day was postponed for a day and Daddy was given a home made card by Flynn and a bag to put his fishing gear in.  We had pancakes for breakfast and made a big deal out of Daddy!

Pancakes for Fathers Day

Dinosaur footprints

 The disappointing thing for my wonderful husband is that I not only forgot Fathers Day, but I forgot our wedding anniversary (well I remembered and then forgot on the day).  As per usual Nick spoilt me and I had a facial at the Cable Beach Resort (which was really posh) and was given a special boab tree necklace.  Maybe I have got into the swing of Broome time!!

While here we visited the dinosaur footprints, but unfortunately most of them were under water as the neighbours read the tide chart wrong.  Our neighbours are from New York and are travelling with two little boys the same ages as ours, so the boys had a great few days playing with each other and checking out some new toys.  We all drove down onto the beach for a sunset dinner.  The boys nuded up and had a great time running around (there wasn't much dinner eaten).  The sun set, the camels went by, and the two little ones who are toilet training left a few surprises in the dark.  Hence, dinner finished abruptly!!

Dinner on Cable Beach

Sammy the dragon- Flynn not sure!

We went to the opening of the festival at the courthouse markets on Saturday and saw the highlight of the festival- Sammy the Chinese dragon.  The opening begun with a welcome by an aboriginal elder, some performances by school kids and then the dragon was woken by the oldest Chinese citizen of Broome.  The blindfold came off Sammy, the crackers and drums started and the dragon sprung to life.....and Flynn nearly started crying!  The dragon danced around the market for ages with a whole heap of kids banging drums and cymbals.

We headed down to the family fun day at Cable Beach.  There was a sand castle competition which was fun, except all Flynn knows of sand castles is that you jump on them.  Sorry to the family with the whale...we weren't quite quick enough.  Luckily the damage wasn't too bad and we found out later that everyone was a winner!  Flynn joined in the tug of war, and so did mum!!  Flynn had his face painted, played the big Chinese drum and had a turn of wearing a small, kids sized dragon head.

The last few nights have been a full moon, so the staircase to the moon has been out.  This is where the rising moon reflects on the mud flats at low tide and it looks like a ladder going up to the moon.  It is very pretty, particularly since the moon has been a deep red colour these past few nights.  There is a party atmosphere during the staircase to the moon, and on the first night we watched it from a hotel where they have a live band.  As the moon rises they have a didgeridoo player.  Flynn loved hearing the didgeridoo play animal sounds.  He raced around, danced to the band and terrorised the crickets for a few hours.

Flynn on the tug of war

On our last night in Broome we went to the night markets at the beach.  As part of the festival there was a 'festival of lights' held on the sand, once the tide had gone out.  It was really fantastic.  Local musicians wrote the music and lyrics, which were stories about the local area and school children from the Broome primary schools were the chorus.  It was really beautiful with big paper boats, fish and birds lit up, dancing to the music.  It ended with some fire twirling.

Boabs all along the road to Fitzroy Crossing

 We have finally left Broome after a month here and in Cape Leveque.  We swan everyday and thought the community at Broome was interesting and friendly.  While we were in Broome, Aidan has started walking and there is no doubt that Nick and I are about to get a whole lot busier with chasing two energetic boys around!

We are on the road to Darwin today.  First stop is Fitzroy Crossing.  We took our time to travel the 400kms, stopping to check out a huge boab tree at a rest stop.  We are looking forward to seeing some fantastic country on our way to Darwin.