Monday 29th
We had breakfast and then headed off to Bell Gorge to do the walk in to the gorge.
The campsites that use to be along the creek burnt down in 2006 and they have not reopened them, which is a real pitty, now I wish that we had of taken the extra night last time and camped there. Something about drop toilets being to close to the creek during flood times was one of the reasons for not reopening them.
We got to the carpark and headed to the information stand just as a full busload of APT tourists turned up, so we decided to do the bolt ahead of them and read the signs later.
We got down the track to the top of the waterfall ok, a little rocky in places, but an easy walk compared to some that we have been on.
We then crossed over the stream and took the track down to the waterhole at the bottom of the waterfall. This was a little bit harder for Rena, very rocky in places and even I had to bum slide in places, so poor little Rena's legs just were not long enough and needed a hand.
It was beautiful, they say they had a poor wet season, but there was still enough water coming over the waterfall to make it quite beautiful. (Leaston there was more than last time, so James couldnt climb in like last time).
Rena wanted to go for a swim right or wrong, so James took her down to the waters edge, the rocks here are so smooth from the water rushing over it in the wet season, it is like being on an ice rink. They took one step in to the water and both stopped in their tracks. James response was that it was rather BRISK!!!!, Refreshing was another word used.
James tried to coax Rena in to the water but unfortunately she has got use to using her swim suit (that we left in the car) and as she didnt have it, wouldnt go in to the deeper water. Also as the water was so brisk she wasnt going to have a bar of it, and it was a bit to cold for James too.
I then tried to get her in to the water, I didnt go to much deeper than my ankles, and my feed were instantly frozen. I could see why Rena wouldnt go for a swim. At Manning Falls the water was a little bit warmer than here.
So we decided to sit and dry off and then enjoy the surroundings before heading back up to the top of the waterfall. James went and explored a little at the top of the falls and I tried to get Rena to take some photos. Both of us were very cautious near the edge of the cliff.
I wet Rena's and my top before heading on back up the track. A good decision as it was a hot day and it cooled us down nicely for the walk.
Back at camp we decided to explore the short walk that ran next to the creek and discovered 2 bratts swimming in the creek. This creek supplies the camp with drinking water and you are told when you arrive that you are not allowed to swim in the creek, there is also a sign at the start of the track telling you not to swim.
Anyway James told them they were not allowed to swim there and they scampered off and back to camp. Their mum hadnt long since come back from the same direction just before we headed off to the creek with wet swimmers on so we know where they get their ignorance from.
We followed the track to the end and then turned around and headed back to camp. I put another cake in the dream pot to cook.
We sat back and enjoyed another beautifully spectacular sunset. AWESOME!!!!
Tuesday 30th
We packed up camp and headed down the Gibb River Road, we came across a wicked camper which had broken down and pulled over to see if they needed help. Unfortunately they didnt speak much english, and well after a bit of hand talking we managed to find out that they had been there for 2 hours and no one heading south had pulled up to see if they were ok. One person heading north had pulled up 2 hours ago and they had given them the details to take with them to ring for assistance.
We took the details off them and told them that it would be at least another 2 hours before we got to Derby but would try and ring when we got there.
We arrived in Derby, WOW hasnt this place grown since we were here last. We went to the same caravan park and booked it, this place too has grown a bit since last time too.
I tried to ring the wicked campers roadside assistance line but just couldnt get through and the other number she had written down didnt work, so I headed back to camp, can only hope that the person going north was able to get through.
We set up the camper and after a cuppa we headed off down to Woolies to get some supplies. We then headed to the fish and chips shop to get some barra and chips before heading on down to the Derby Jetty to watch the sunset.
We were not dissapointed a beautiful spectacular Kimberley sunset. They really know how to put on a show over here. (That an all the dry season burn off smoke adds to it as well).
We even had the bonus of a boat in line with the sun which added to the photos. There was also a big ship being loaded with cargo so we got to watch that as well after the sun had set before it set sail into the dying light.
We then sat down on the jetty and had our barra and chips. Mmmmm Mmmmm, much better than the crap we got in Darwin. There was that many chips we could not eat them all.
Back to camp to sort out the groceries whilst catching up with family on the phones.
We had a visit from a local trying to sell us a carved boab nut, it was very well done, but he wanted $55 for it, and well I dont want to sound well.... his breath rank of alcohol. But in addition we had just spent our budget at Wollies and the treat of fish and chips we had to decline. He said he would come back if he couldnt get a buyer and we could have it for $40. He didnt come back so he must have sold it. Was very well done and I would have loved to buy it, but it would have got broken on our way around oz. :(
By the time James and I got to bed it was well past 10.30pm so it was a late night for us.
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