Oh The Serenity

FRIDAY 28 JUNE 2019

A leisurely start to the day as a cold night means a cold morning.  Larry was very brave and eventually got up to make coffees and we then had omelettes as a new way of serving the bacon and eggs we usually have on a non packup day.

As we were eating we ‘good morninged’ the people who had arrived late last night.  We had overheard them in the bar checking in late because they had just spent 5 hours at the Over the Range mechanics near Mount Barnett so I asked them if everything was now okay.  They were not impressed because their spekky Kedron van (top of the range specifically designed and engineered for serious off road driving) had cracked a chassis.  They travel slowly and carefully so hadn’t done anything rough enough to cause it.  They were a nice couple from NSW and have been travelling in their van for 9 months (lucky things!) so they were happy to have a chat and ask about places they should visit in WA.

We then decided to do another load in the washer before heading out for the day so didn’t leave camp until 10ish with lunch and snacks packed to take with us.  We did a quick stop at the office as Larry had decided it was definitely time to retire one of Jenny’s t-shirts so Jenny decided to support the good work of the AWC buy buying one of their t-shits to replace it.   We drove away with a t-shirt each (and strict instructions to each other NEVER to wear matching t-shirts on the same day!) out to Sir John Gorge, past the busload of tourists who had stopped to look at termite mounds, and arrived to find the car park empty.  Woo hoo!  Walked down to the gorge and on to the second pool and found the most idyllic spot and probably the time we spent there was the highlight of the trip.  It was absolutely still and quiet and the water was deep and cool. There were tree shaded flat rocks to lie on and purvey the view and a box of BBQ shapes to be consumed.  It really just doesn’t get much better. 

We spent ages just sitting and staring (and munching!) and watching the little helicopter birds fluttering up and down the sides of the gorge.  They were so small and rust coloured that they looked like falling leaves as they fluttered down the cliff side but when they flew back up they made a sound like a cat purring or a helicopter buzzing, hence my name for them.

We could have stayed there all day but there were other places to explore (and sandwiches still in the car) so we eventually headed back there and replenished fluids as we headed off to the next swimming spot called Bluebushes.  This was another bend of the Fitzroy River with sandy banks and big rivergums and grasses lining the edges.  We sat under one of the gums and ate our sandwiches and watched the birdlife on the other side of bank.  At one point we think we saw the famous Gouldian finches but don’t think we managed to spot the endangered purple headed wrens (albeit difficult  anyway as they are only purple headed in mating season).

We decided that it all looked too much effort to get into the water via the rather steep river banks and the water was nowhere near as inviting than at Sir John Gorge so we climbed back up the steep, sandy hill to the car and headed for home.

Jenny decided mid afternoon was a good time to hit the solar heated showers and enjoyed a nice, hot soaking and then washed out all her river soaked rashie, boardshorts in the troughs.  It was then time to go back to the van and sort out all the washing and watch Larry keep an eye on the time until it was an appropriate time to hit the bar for beer as he is down to his last few cans in the van!

We headed up there just before 5pm and grabbed some beers and as soon as the staff got the fire lit headed over to sit by that.  There was no sign or anybody to tell us not to so we kept feeding logs on to it to keep it going (even their camp fires do a cool burn apparently!)  Another couple joined us and we chatted happily to them for ages about our journeys and places to go etc.  They are heading west to east so could give us tips about places we are about to go and we could give them tips on where they are going so suggested, as they were heading to Mitchell Falls, that they stay at Munurra  camp ground rather than the one at Mitchell Falls because you can swim in King Edward river.

Could have chatted on but as it was getting on for 6.30pm, was pitch dark and we still had to get dinner organised we said our goodbyes.  Back to the van and had fish and chips done on the Weber as it is Friday night!