Blog 6!
Day 36. We headed through port headland, stocked up on goods and got harry a new fishing rod on the way down to Karijini. We stayed in a freecamp called two camel creek on the way through. Every one will be relieved to know chris’ beer stock planning is a current success.
Day 37 we arrived at the popular Dales campground in Karijini and the sign on the road said campground full., Arh well let’s drive in and try our luck. Scored the last site at the National Park and walking distance to fortescue falls, fern pool and circular pool. 2 weeks prior this it was all closed after 100ml rainfall so we were super lucky to be able to explore the area.
At this stage we will be free camping or camping in non powered national parks for an indefinite amount of time before Perth so our food,gas and water planning is in full swing. I have never thought about food planning so much in my life (and I think about food a lot!) oh how my life has changed.
Day 38 exploring Karijini (Hancock gorge, Kermit’s pool, weano gorge and handrail pool). Exploring is probably a soft word for it. The gorge walks were incredible and Hancock gorge through to Kermit’s pool might possibly be topping the favourites list. It was an adventure that’s for sure. It was a ‘class 5’ walk and the ‘spider’ part of the walk where you had to hover over the running water and slippery rocks like spider man and work your way through the gorge was a ‘worried Mum’ moment but Matilda again used her gymnastics ability to manoeuvre through, harry ended up on shoulders when his little legs didn’t quite reach like Spider-Man’s!! wading through the freezing water to get through to Kermit’s pool was also interesting (water temp 10). I had a moment where my whole body started to ache, I felt the colour drain out of my face and I thought I was going to faint. Lucky there was a rock to scamper up on to defrost and get some blood supply back! Harry’s only issue was a numb doodle which he let all of the tourists at the gorge know. (I told you I was going to include all of the important details, haha!)
A lady asked Harry if he needed a hand to which he replied ‘I’m ok, I’m a professional bush walker, I’ve been to nationals’. Wow that’s my story teller young man in his element.
Chris wasn’t risking an emergency services visit on the way back so he commando carried me through the water and took full advantage of thinking it was funny for me to flash everyone on the other side.Fair to say this photo didn’t make the blog! Our ‘out-takes’ image folder on the computer is growing larger by the day. Big $ is required to post some of these! Dominated heavily by that sexy bikini and joggers look, bare bottoms and kids ‘hangry’ tantrums.
Well dales campground was an awesome couple of days. Listening to the dingos howling through the night was pretty cool too!
Day 39. Karijini to Tom price. Cute little mining town. Topped up on groceries and headed up the 4WD track to the top of nameless mountain for sunset and a beer. The highest point in WA that you can access by vehicle!
Day 40. Tom price mine tour. That was the kids schooling for the day. Such an informative tour and the kids were blown away by the size of the dump trucks (cost 4.5M) and diggers (cost $7Million. They got to watch Iron Ore being grated and crushed and put into the trains that are over 2.5km long! Side note, how cute does Matilda look in a hard hat and safety glasses.! We were doing a bit of revision on our mine tour and the kids could tell us that Tom price mines for ‘Iron Ore’ and most of it gets sent to China. Then we asked if they knew what Iron Ore was used for to which Matilda answers ‘to keep your clothes straight!’ 🙈🙊😂😳
Then we headed up to Hamersley gorge and spa pool. Still not sick of gorges, they are all so different, the colours and wave shape through hamersley gorge was impressive. Another stylish swim in sports bra and tights after I thought it was going to be too cold to swim.
Day 41 our first cloudy day in 6 weeks! En route from Tom price across to Exmouth direction staying in a free camp at yannarie. Ended the week with marshmallow toasting competitions around the campfire.
Next blog Exmouth!! So excited to pull up stumps for 7 nights at the most epic campground at osprey bay on the Ningaloo reef and snorkel and swim with the whale sharks and turtles!
The Butler did it 