Yeehaa Rodeo Time

 

Saturday 27 May 2023 – Bungles to Kununurra

We knew we had to tackle the long road out first thing this morning so we were up early and leaving camp just before 7.30am.  The road out seemed easier as we knew what to expect and probably took better lines through the creek crossings this time although we noticed quite large holes were already forming from the tour buses going in and out and we are thinking they will probably have to fill a few holes in sooner rather than later before someone gets stuck in one.  Shaun was in front this time so we got some good dashcam footage of him with only one crossing where he found a hole and made his van do a spectacular bounce.

We met up with the Adamsons at the rest stop back at the bitumen around 9.30am and then we all convoyed up the road to Warnum where we stopped at the roadhouse for morning tea where we once again met up with Matthew and his tour group.  Probably the last we will see of them as they are now off to Lake Argyle and we will be in Kununurra. 

Jenny drove from Warnum up to the intersection with Victoria Highway where we stopped to drop off the rubbish we had been unable to leave at the Spring Creek rest stop as the bins were absolutely overflowing. It’s okay for DPAW to tell you to take all your rubbish out of Purnululu and take it to this rubbish spot but probably they need to liaise with Shire of W-EK to ensure the bins are emptied regularly if that is the case as there is nothing worse than overflowing bins and people thinking they might as well just leave theirs on the ground next the bins is a good idea.  The crows etc were having a field day.

Onwards to Kununurra and we set up on our waterfront campsites which are completely up the other end from the sites we had with H&M two years ago.  Still a great view of the lake albeit with slightly more vegetation screening it and the Adamsons, who are down the other end, say our end is a bit quietier.  We had a quick lunch and a trip into town for beer supplies as Swampy is a bit stressed about beer supplies for the Gibb then back to the vans for laundry etc before getting ready for our exciting evening.

We got out to the rodeo about 5ish and set up our picnic rug on the grassy bank around the ring and in the family area.  Shaun and Darryl headed off to the beer tent but the queues looked horrendous and we were happy to stay where we were and drink soft drink and watch the show.  The professionalism got better as the evening went on so that the riders stayed on for longer as well – towards the beginning the young riders were lucky to make it out of the gates before hitting the dirt.

The most terrifying part of the night was just after we had all been lulled to sleep at the halfway point when a dozen or so bootscooters made their way into the ring and kicked up the dirt for 10 minutes or so. They then invited the kids in the crowd to join them and be taught a simple dance.  Just after they had about 100 kids and a few Mums and Dads in there starting their dance, a bull managed to get through a gate and career into the ring and straight through the kids.  Amanda and Aida were in the ring and Larry was down on the edge filming them on Amanda’s phone so covered the footage of the mayhem that ensued as people scattered in all directions grabbing kids and throwing them over the fence and out of danger.  Absolute chaos and they we will be very lucky if no one was seriously hurt.  We did see a couple of small kids getting carried off to the ambulance and another was called so there were injuries but hopefully not too serious. 

The most amazing thing was that the compere completely ignored what had happened.  There was no calming words or directions on where kids who had got separated from parents should go if they were lost and they just started talking about what was next on the programme.  Was a bit poor really and it will be interesting to find out if there is any fall out from the incident.  I can only imagine their insurance premiums might be a bit higher next year!

We were starting to get a bit cold and tired and so headed off about 8.30pm so that we would also miss the crowds all trying to leave at 9pm when the rodeo finished.  The boys thought the beer tent was also getting a bit too rowdy with a giant bonfire having been lit and pizza boxes getting flung on it to make it twice as big as intended. 

We got back to the vans and figured we would be lie in bed listening to the sound of the music at the rodeo after party floating across the lake to us but it lulled us to sleep pretty quickly and certainly didn’t disturb us at all.  Not even the sound of other returning cars woke us and a good night’s sleep was had once again.