SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER

Well hi to all, again sorry we left you half way through last Sunday the 25th but we wanted to get the blog posted, so you could read what has been happening and Caz was well enough to venture out for tea, so we had to get her ready. So this is what has happened since then. We went out that Sunday nite with the caravan park managers, Simon & Julie and her parents ( Grandpa/Ma), as well as the "Assistant Managers" Emma & Matina to the Kimberley Grand, for an all you can eat Baked Dinner, the food was good, esp the Roast Pork & Lamb, Rans liked the Yorkshire Pudd & Emma, Rans & Grandpa enjoyed the deserts. We had lots of good laughs, esp some at Rans's expense.....snakes!!       It was another hot night, so took a while to settle.   MONDAY.........Carol is feeling better than she did yesterday and has eased off on the tablets, so hopefully she will be well enough to do something tomorrow or Wednesday. It is another hot day here, got to 39deg, we took it easy, a few swims in the pool, a little bit of shopping and went over and had tea with Emma & Matina. TUESDAY..... We started to tidy up, washing the car & van, packing a few things away, went for a drive in the arvo out to a cafe and had a Mango smoothie, which was nice, then back for a swim and then we went over to Emmas for tea. Had an early nite as a big day tomorrow,  TOLD CAZ TO.... TOUGHEN UP PRINCESS & she said DON'T SHIT ME DARL. !!! ( plus a few other words we cant print!!)  WEDNESDAY......Up early and we wer picked up at 5.15am for our flight over the Bungle Bungles, there were another couple on the flight (the lady had to be Mark Browns mums twin !!!) and the pilot Trent, we had met at the pub previously through Emma.

 We were in the air by 5.40am with Carol feeling comfortable as possible, as we headed off over the plantations surrounding Kununurra, well we are so glad that we took the flight, as it is now on the top of the list of things that we have done, we travelled Sth following the Spillway creek & Carr Boyd Ranges to Lake Argyle (which had been the best thing we had seen on this trip so far) taking in the vast waterways of the lake, then having the sunrise over the lake and hilltops, hopefully the photos do it justice, as it was breathtaking with all 5 of us in awe

 Trent never gets tired of seeing it...what a job ..hey!) we then continued south passing over 2 cattle stations, which are divided by the Bow River, over mountain ranges, which look like huge long waves about ready to break and then coming to the Bungle Bungles, a sight not to be missed with their honey pot shaped rock formations, with dark & light rock rings formed around them, vast canyons, you could spend a week down their and not see 5% of the area.

We then landed at the Bungles as we had to pick up 3 passengers, who had camped overnite, this gave Carol a chance to  stretch a bit & toilet break, we then lifted off, doing another 2 sweeps of the Bungles, seeing the area in its grandeur, we then headed back, seeing a number of waterfalls with huge ponds/springs with palm trees (making you wonder if any person has very been there).

We then flew over the Argyle Diamond Mine (the biggest in the world) with its own airport, 5 star motel accom for staff & the place where the famous pink diamond was discovered and is still being found & sold today. There are some interesting facts about the mine, such as how they got the lease, how they do dummy flights when transporting diamonds etc etc but we won't bore you, we then came back over  Lake Argyle again, taking in the Carr Boyd Ranges, we followed the Ord River back to town, passing over the patchwork of crops and landing.( flight went for 2 & half hrs)

A great time, so magnificant.. JUST AMAZING. We were then transported to a local cafe, where we had a big breakie and then picked up and taken back to the park. Once back there we commenced to pack up, grabbed some groceries etc had one last swim, as it was 41deg and said our goodbyes to Emma & Matina ( no tears..) and headed off. We drove south west, taking our time stopping 4-5times so Carol could have a stretch, until we arrived at a free camp just near the Bungles turn off, (so many people have advised us that the road into the Bungles is shocking and not worth taking your vehicle, as it takes 2-3hrs to go 50kms, what a shame for a World Heritiage area). It was just on dark, which was good due to the heat, we had tea prepared, had a drink, spoke with a young french couple who were heading towards Darwin. We had fan early nite after such a long day but by far one of the most enjoyable. THURSDAY...We are up by 5.30am & headed off just after 6am, we drove for a while, stopping at a nice 24hr rest area(Springvale) where we had breakie & cuppa, we then continued on, stopping at Halls Creek for fuel (not much else going for the place !) and continued west, with us not seeing any vehicles for 50km's.

We then stopped at Marys Pool for morning tea, a nice large area, we stayed here for an hr & then headed off to Fiztroy Crossing, where we set up at the Lodge Caravan Pk, (it has a huge screen T.V. so we can watch the footy finals...GO MANLY!!) we then went for a drive into town & the info centre. Came back for a swim, (the camping/caravan area  floods, the lodge is built up off the ground and the pool is on top of a 10ft mound !) We had a nice tea out under the stars, as there are no mossies tonight.  

FRIDAY...We are up early and headed off by 6.15am to Geike Gorge, where we have breakie in the bush surroundings. We then went on a walk which follows the Western range for 2.5km, then we followed the Fitzroy River back, taking in the magnificant views, seeing a croc close by, where they lay their eggs &  how much water comes through during the wet season. It would be 200m from where the waters edge is now, to where the water laps the Western Range, (they say the amount of water that flows down the Fitzroy could fill up a dry Sydney Harbour in 12hrs), we then went back to ranger station & then went on a cruise up the river, which was very relaxing after our walk, seeing the rock formations, crocs etc. 

Where you puchase your ticket there is a hugh rotanta/gazebbo which the top of the roof is about 20ft up, they have markers where the water level has come up to, last year it was over the roof but in 2002 it was 2m over the roof!!! You just cant imagine that amount of water flowing through there... We then drove back over the Old River Crossing (don't know how they got across prior to the new bridge being built, as it wouldn't take much rain to make it unpassable.)

We then went to IGA..... now although the town looks dirty and run down, the IGA was clean and fresh. We then returned for lunch and a lazy arvo, with Caz doing some photos & then over for a swim, it was 39deg today (how is the sunny central coast going ???) Tea outside again and then a walk around the park where we met up with people we had met  from the Oasis C/P in Darwin. SATURDAY....Caz sleeps in.... 7am yee ha, we have an easy day today, do our computer stuff,photos & then went for a drive out to the INN which we stayed OUT of.  We then headed back to the Lodge where we watched the AFL G.F in air con comfort, late arvo caz spoke to Cathy about her experience with the dogs what a laugh(took them for a walk and they dragged Liam into the water & almost Cathy), we then sat outside for arvo drinks and watched 2 Brahama bulls walk past our site..something you do n't see every day!! We then had tea outside again under the stars..very nice. SUNDAY....Up early and went for a walk across the Fitzroy River Bridge. We then had a big breakie and started to tidy up, then had to take Rans to the hospital, as he has had a bad case of gout in his left foot, he hasn't slept in the past 2 nights and has been hobbling on one foot, by the time we got back from todays walk he could hardly walk..but like I said to him  " TOUGHEN UP PRINCESS"  anyway the Dr gave him some strong ani inflam's and we then returned to finish cleaning the car etc prior to heading down to the lounge of the Lodge to watch the footy......SO APPARENTLY MANLY SEA EAGLES WON.....YEAH !! the best footy side in the past 10yrs they say. It was a good arvo, only 8 others watching and all Manly supporters,

Carol even won $54 for picking Brett Stewart as 1st try scorer. We then made a few phone calls to non supporters and had some nice......yes they were nice text messages & calls back from about 15 people. So after the game which we enjoyed, we continued packing up as we head off tomorrow towards Derby, so to all,  its great to hear from you and as we hit the furthest distance from home,  all take care Love"Rans the Sea Eagle" & Mrs Ransxxxxxxxx

SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 11 KUNUNURRA

Well hi to all enjoying our time here and a number of things have been happening here mostly involving Carol so here is what we have been up to......SATURDAY 17TH...... We are up early again, 5am this time, but we had to leave at 7am for El Questro (a property of 1million acres or 60km x 80km). Whilst getting ready Rans was in the shower when the park lost power & water, well he was soaped up and had to rush to wash it off, before the last drop ....just in time. The six of us (yes 6.... tezza even came today) headed off at 7am with our guide Larissa, heading Nth, we then turned left onto the GIBB RIVER Rd following the Cockburn Ranges and towards Emma Gorge, which is on the El Questro property and has an airfield (which is where Hully started that unfortunate race 2weeks ago) and also a resort, with bungalows, tent rooms etc.

 Also a beautiful open air verandah, where they serve meals. Terry didn't attempt the walk into the gorge as it was quite rocky and steep in parts but Di did well. We took heaps of photos, as the walk was so pretty, also Larissa explained so much about the different flowers, trees, plants etc, what you could eat and what would kill you, we did taste some things like the kapok tree flower (not deadly!!). She also showed us where the 2006 cyclone hit the place and where the water levels reached (we see photos later of the destruction to the pool,varandah, camp sites etc..Unbelievable) After about a 30min walk, we arrived at Emma Gorge, it was beautiful & so inviting...Me and....Carol ( yes CAROL!)

as well as John went for a swim, it is a bit cold at first but you adapt quickly( cause you go numb!) but it was just fantastic to swim on your back looking up at the waterfall and the escarpment with water droplets falling.

We even had an area that had some thermal water seeping through the rocks making the water warmer in sections. We stayed here for about 1/2hr enjoying the scenery, we then headed back to the resort ,where we were served up a beautiful morning tea including cakes, even a yummy Gluten Free cake for the girls, tea/coff, fruit & juices, it was good.

We then boarded the land cruiser & headed towards Sebedee Springs & thermal pools, this is an area that is closed to the public from 12md and only for used by guests of El Questro, we arrived just on midday and we had use the the pool with only 3 other people, these pools are small rock pools fed by thermal water which vary bet 28-32deg, some with small flowing waterfalls, it was good to relax after the earlier walk, Carol & Sandy took some underwater shots but let me tell you they must have tried over 50 times to go underwater together!!!.......you know what these Smith girls are like with water, it was a laugh!!! They call these pools the fountain of youth, but it didn't work for Carol as she said she came out greyer on top, (she needs Cathy badly !!).

After this we drove into El Questro station, where there is camping areas with bungalows, tents, your own camp area (mostly tents or camper trailers) & private camp areas down beside the Pentecost River, there is a restaurant, shop which sells basic items, including grog & a helipad, airfield, staff accom. We then went to the restaurant where we had lunch which included barra & steak chips & salad. After lunch we just a had look around the joint and then we met up with Amy, our guide for the next part of out tour, here we boarded an open air vehicle like the ones you see in the African plains with 3 sets of bench seats.

 From here we drove out, passing the private camp areas, crossing a couple of river beds, until we came up on the Chamberlain river, we pulled over and we could see the El Questro Homestead in the distance(the one you see on getaway etc) Well the river was almost empty (the reason why we couldn't do a river cruise) and after last years big wet, the debris on the river banks, including large boab trees, huge rocks, it looked nothing like what you see on TV. The water that flowed down the river last season, came up to the timber pylons that hold the homestead up over the cliff, 5 of them were washed away and the front room (Chamberlain room) fell 40cm and was only being held up by a boab tree that had floated downstream and wedged itself under. This room goes for approx $2500 a nite with the other 5 rooms varying bet $1500 & $2500, for this you get your own personal chef, all the grog/food you want, any or all of the tours for 2 people.

 We then went down to the wharf were you would usually get the boat, this had to also be remade as the previous wharf was washed totally away, Amy showed us photos of before the wet and you just couldn't believe the difference (hopefully you can see them on our photos), after here we went to the Durack tree which is a lge boab tree on the edge of the Chamberlain & Pentecost Rivers. We then made our way up to the Saddleback Ridge lookout, a real steep, bumpy...I mean REAL BUMPY ride up, you should have seen the 3 girls trying to take photos of the countryside, laugh, not sure if any will turn out so good !! OH BOY.

 As you climb higher, the view just becomes more magnificent, until you you reach the top where there is a viewing platform...with 360deg viewing... IT IS JUST AWESOME and although the sky was smoke hazy the views are another thing that everyone should see. We loved it!! Here we enjoyed watching the sun setting, some champagne and a fruit platter, and we also had a helicopter go past us at eye level and only 20-30ft away.. how good. We stayed up here for about 1/2 hr and then we headed slowly down, 2 of us didn't finish their drinks so they tried to drink them on the way down, guess who???....one was male Canadian & the other.... well you know who !!!!! we think they spilt more on themselves & Sandra than they drank, plus they again tried to take photos.......no success!! After getting back to the station we had an awesome sunset & were met by Graham who drove us back to our sites with him doing a quiz on what we learnt or could remember about El Questro, we did pretty good 9/10. Arriving back around 6.45pm A long day but well worth it!!!! An easy tea and early nite....... SUNDAY.....An easy day up early do some computer work then 5 loads of washing, clean van, defrost fridge/freezer and yes 'Foggy'... she cleaned her fan (electric one). Carol got mail... a birthday card from Karen, David, Michael & Bron, with some nice and funny comments...it made her cry!! We also sat by the pool & the girls did their hair...coloured etc.

Late arvo we went for a fish under the Dunham Bridge with Emma, got a few bites but no fish. ( no surprise there !) Rans also lost is lure after John just finished saying "At least you haven't lost your lure yet". Headed back for a couple of drinks as it has been a hot day 36deg, we then watched hully on 60minutes, then had some tea easy nite. MONDAY.... Up early again and went for a walk around the lake as it was a nice morning & before it gets to hot. Us 2 then went for a drive around the town attractions, The Sandalwood Factory, where they have acres of Sandalwood trees growing, they take 15yrs to mature and current pricing is $100,000 per tonne.

Then to the Hoochery Distillery where they distill rum, it is one of only a handful totally owned by Australians. Rans tried 3 types of rum, a 40% a 74% and an aniseed flavour....Caz had to drive when we left!!! We also went and had a look at a number the plantations here incl bananas, mango's which went for miles, lime, corn & chai. We then went to the pump house which was an old pumping stn on the edge of the Ord river & now is a restaurant (we are going there for tea this Wed), we then made our way back into town for some shopping and then in the arvo we lazed by the pool, then the boys went fishing.... no luck again!!! we have to be the worse 3 fishermen in Australia, but the beers went down good. :) We then came back for a nice tea with Emma & Matina which incl prawns/salad & fish (not caught by us). It was a warm day getting up to 38-9deg & a warm nite. TUESDAY.... Up and went for a walk through the Mirima Nat Park, which had a number of trails and  lookouts with us doing all of them, only taking 80min, there was a bit of a breeze too which made it more bearable.

The Bewells have gone on a flight over Lake Argyle & the Bungle Bungles, we are doing this on Friday as they & the Butlers are heading off Friday. Diane has finally got a flight which does the mail run to the big stations, she has been trying since Cooper Pedy, some 3mths ago, so she will undoubtedly enjoy, we don't know about the pilot... he may have to turn the squelch up on his headphones as Di will be bombarding him with questions!!!!!! The Bewells loved their flight and Diane enjoyed hers, stopping at a number of stations, speaking with shooters (who are culling donkeys & brahmas), We hang around the pool in the arvo. WEDNESDAY......Up around 5am and Caz & I go and play golf, Caz didn't actually play as she has had a pain in the neck....NO NOT ME and headaches for the past 2 days, but she is a good caddy. Played 9 holes before it starts get to hot, it was good, sand greens, only lost 1 ball, which is good for me, & only one 10!!! Finished by 7.30am with no one else on the course, how good.

Back for breakie and then the Bewells, Emma & us go for a drive out to Molly Springs, which is only 30k's out of town. The road was being graded when we drove in, so that was good and its only a short walk in to a small, but clear spring with a waterfall, John & I went for a swim and it was not cold, very nice, actually, we hang out here for 40min or so and

then back into town for a picnic lunch with di & Tez at the park by the lake, then back for a swim and then we all (inc Matina & Emma) head out to the Pumphouse, which is on the river, for some arvo drinks, then a nice dinner, there are thousands of good size catfish swimming around the old pumphouse but didn't see any crocs.

THURSDAY...........Well we didn't walk this morning....but maybe we should have, Caz has hurt her lower back pretty bad, she was in tears with pain, she bent down to slide the esky and her back went on her. she couldn't move for over 40min and after giving her some pain killers, they didn't ease the pain, so we got her into the car & took her to the hospital. She has thrown something out in her back & has been given pain killers & anti inflamm's, but she can't sit up so we aren't going anywhere for a few days, cancelled our flight and with the others leaving tomorrow we will just have to wait till she gets better........Well it didn't get better, in fact after sleeping for 3hrs or so she woke up feeling sick and boy was she.... didn't stop vomiting. In the meantime whilst caz was laying in Emmas bed, we all had tea and between checking on her and tea I was walking out of Emmas unit and here was a 5-6ft brown snake (at least i think it was) so I went and got the managers, Simon & Julie, well it had taken off into another yard but when Simon turned into that yard you heard him say .... OH BOY ITS A BIG ONE..he thought it may have been a python but I think it was a King Brown, just by the colour and also the time of night it was when they are there most active, anyway by 7pm I had contacted the hospital as Carol was very sick & we took her back in, she had a reaction to the pain killers that have tramadol in them, and just couldn't stop being sick, she was the only one in emergency and the Dr who saw her was on his way home, he gave 5 diff drugs to her through a drip and said she would be right in 1/2r to1hr and he headed off home, well after an hour of more vomitng, the nurse contacted the Dr and he prescribed 2 more drugs which also didn't work,(let me tell you she missed the bag 3 times and got me each time...I think it is payback !!) so after another hr and around 10.30pm the descision was made to keep her in so as to give her more drugs and also fluids through the drip, so she was taken to a ward and after entering the wrong room!!!! she was given a room to herself & Rans left, as she was almost off her head. FRIDAY..Rans was up early and went for a walk, it was around 6am and there were a lge number of locals out walking the streets and most of them well intoxicated, but they didn't cause too much trouble. Caz rang around 8am and Rans went & picked her up, she had continued to be sick up till 12.30am, but she looked so much better but still in a lot of pain, came back to park and the girls showered her and then she went and slept at Emmas. Slept most of the morning, then woke still feeling like ...hit!! she just layed around for the arvo at Emmas (so so grateful to Emm & Matina for the use of their place with its air cond) Rans went down to the Tavern to watch the footy..by the way who won ..............MANLY THE MIGHTY SEA EAGLES ARE THERE AGAIN !!!!! Walked home and checked on Caz who had been looked afer by Sandy & Di (many thanks girls), Caz was feeling a bit down and not too well but she slept OK. It got up to 41deg today. SATURDAY..... Caz gets up and has a shower but feeling yuk, she goes for a walk and rests in our van for a short time but it gets way too hot and she returns to Emmas for arvo.

We have arvo drinks & bikkies as Bewells & Butlers are heading off in the morning, then Rans heads down to watch footy with Emm & Matina, a good game....go the Warriors (only for last nite not next week !). Caz slept in van after 2 nites away, she sleeps so so, still not 100% SUNDAY....... Another hot nite, Caz feels a little brighter, the other 2, Bewells & Butlers headed off towards Broome, with Sand & John booked in for a couple of nites for their 25th wedd ann. We just hung around  the van today, did some computer work, another hot day, Caz taking it easy, she went for a wade in the pool, felt good, her back is a bit better, no sharp stabs just a dull ache, but much brighter in herself.

FRIDAY 16 SEPT KUNUNURRA W.A.

Well we have made it into W.A. and met up with Carol & Sandra's niece, Emma, who got & gave us lots of hugs, kisses and a couple of tears. She is looking so good and enjoys her work and has met so many friends & now she has some family around her for a week or so, anyway this is what has happened since our last post. SUNDAY.......We headed off from Timber Creek passing the Bradshaw Bridge, its a hugh road bridge across the Victoria River, but you not allowed to cross it as it is owned by the army!! Anyway we continued on, seeing a number of nice overnight camp spots. We stopped for morning tea, looking over some scenic mountains and saw so many Boab trees, some absolutely huge ones included. We then came to the border of W.A. and each of our cars/vans were inspected. Ransleys & Bewells got through OK with not much of a search, plus of course we have such honest faces!!!!  but Di & Terry had broccoli boxes (for packing) (which she had bleached/washed in NSW) and they had to hand them over and then they had everything in their van checked !!! ( maybe not so honest faces ??? ) boy did she have the >>ITS. (especially with all the mess they left )

We then took the turn off to Lake Argyle and slowly we came across these mountains with huge escarpments and then we came to a bridge across a river (it turned out to be the spillway for Lake Argyle) the water was flowing so quick with rapids it reminded us & the Bewells so much of Canada, we then went through the mtns until we came to the caravan park. This park overlooks Lake Argyle which is an inland sea (22 times the size of Sydney Harbour), with its magnificent mtns surrounding the lake and with the swimming pool looking over one of the ravines, oh boy it doesn't get much better, this is the best place so far for us personally, and if anyone gets the chance come and visit.

There is no mobile phone service here. Rans had a quick nap in the arvo, then we boys went back to the spillway for some fishing, John got one sooty grunter, a tough fish to fillet and so it got thrown back. We then headed back and Caz and I went and saw the sunset over the Mtns, then an early nite. MONDAY.......We are up by 5.30am as its daylight so Caz & I go for a walk up to one of the lookouts which has nice views of the Lake & Dam. Back for some breakie then us 2  go for another walk up the Ord track, which takes you to a ridge where you can see the Lake from both sides, the Ord River, as well as the far end of the Lake, it is by far the best view standing on the rock ledge with Rans panicking, we then drove down to the picnic area at the Ord River, then went back to the Spillway where the boys were fishing, by now they have caught 5 catfish, after fishing for about an hour and seeing many long tom,then I see this huge barra, then another big one, so for the next hr we try and catch them but they wouldn't take anything.

 Anyway we pack up, go back & the boys jump in the pool very quickly (only for a photo shoot) as it the coldest water Rans has been in EVER  he reckons !!.

 We then go back for arvo drinks, the others try the catfish but I think they didn't overly like it as there was one piece left and no one grabbed it, anyway at least they gave it a go.We then had tea and Caz & I went for a walk around the park and saw the full moon over the water as well as different coloured lights in the pool which looked awesome. TUESDAY.... Up early after another windy nite, this time we both walked down and across the dam wall, here we met up with neighbours who were staying on the level below us, who came from Revesby & Illawong, one of them had a cousin that lives in Woy Woy who I know, a small world ! anyway it was a steep walk back but enjoyed the talk. After breakie the boys went and tried fishing at the Spillway again, whilst the girls went to Durack Homestead. That bloody barra came back, I caught one catfish but threw it back and John one Long Tom, bu these barras pushed their luck, we tried everything and by the end I even tried a huge rock as it was swimming just 2ft from me, still no luck. Anyway back to site where we cleaned the van & car, whilst Sand,John & Di got some info off our new friends from Revesby about where to stay in WA.

 We then went on a sunset cruise (3pm) on Lake Argyle, taking a couple of beers and wines, with our guide Graham, who was fantastic, very informative, seeing fresh crocs, birds, small roos, and a magnificent water way and mtns, I LOVE THE PLACE, The last wet season was their wettest for a long time and the lake rose by 13m from where it is today but it dispersed within 13 days through the spillways which are mainly creeks that open up during the flood, the main one which we went over and fished near was at the time dispersing 1.25mill litres of water per second !! . It was letting enough water out per day to keep Perth going for a year. When totally full the Lakes capacity is 88 Sydney Harbours. TO ME ITS A WASTE OF WATER THAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS & SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT.(Graham said the government think the cost of pumping the water is way too expensive but the bloke who made the spillway believes it can be done with minimal cost by sending through a series of dams which are in existence now.) We saw the sunset it was so great and then made our way back in the dark, it was such a great cruise.  A MUST DO.!!   WEDNESDAY...... Up early again, can't get use to this early daylight, pack up and head off stopping for another photo shoot at the Spillway, then continue on to Kununurra and going straight to the Ivanhoe Park and seeing Emma. We set up, its a  nice park and a bit a washing then had a few drinks in arvo with Emma telling us about all her adventures, she has done so well.

 An early nite so tired. THURSDAY......   HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL XXXX  We are up early and go for a walk up to to Kelly's Knob Lookout which overlooks Kununurra. There is also a plague up there for 3girls who along with the pilot died in a heli crash back on 14/9/08 (it was the one owned by Grant Kenny), we then made our way back being around 7am and some of the locals were already out in force, yelling, drinking etc, oh boy!!   We got back and made Caz a big breakie, then Emma turned up and we sat around talking etc, a nice morning. Sandy made a nice choc cake for morn tea, later we went to the info centre and booked a day visit to El Questro for Saturday, we then went for a drive out to Ivanhoe Crossing, normally at this time of the year, you can cross this with your vehicle but at present there is so much water flowing ( still from last wet season ) you have no chance to cross

 There were a group of locals playing in the water..nearly getting washed over the wall, they were having so much fun. We then headed back and started tea, a delicious baked dinner for caz b'day, with pavlova for desert. Caz loved it & had had a nice day. FRIDAY.... We are up early again and walking by 6am into town through the industrial area to Lake Kununurra. We passed a Police road block around the Police Stn, don't know what has happened but will find out soon enough. We headed to Wyndham today with Emma, approx 90km Nth, it is one of the oldest towns in WA and most northern and has a population of approx 800 which we think were all still in bed !!

It is a very small, rundown town with not much going for it, due to the wet season, plus cyclones, but we did go to the lookout which shows 5 rivers coming into one just before heading out into the Timor Sea, although it was hazy it is still a magnificent sight, it was also a great area to have our lunch. We then went to see a huge (one of the biggest we have seen) boab tree, which is over 2000yrs old, yes 2000yrs !!! We then saw some sculptures of locals, then John drove out onto  these huge mud flats, which look like a huge waterway but its only a mirage, well did he have some fun doing donuts, wheelies etc, the boys Brett,Thomas, David & Scott would have had a ball in there 4 wheel drives.

We then made our way back stopping at the Diversion Dam in Kununurra, where they can allow or stop the water flow of the Ord River. Later Carol & I went down to the local tavern with Emma & Matina and watched the footy live (Tigers v Warriors) and met some of their friends, it was a great nite. Well we have had a great time so far in W.A. looking forward to the next part, great to see Emma, she has fitted in well here and has great friends so until next time bye bye love The Ransley's