15th August Silent Grove – Mornington Wilderness Camp

Left Silent Grove and headed out to Bell Gorge at 7:30am. We made it down to the Gorge and it was just beautiful and well worth the walk and climb down.









We got back to the car at about 10:15am and had some morning tea before heading off.
Arrived at Imintji Store on the Gibb river road at 11:00am and we all had something there to break up the trip. Ron tried to get some new tyres but no luck.









Arrived at mornington turnoff at about 12:00 and radioed ahead to let them know we were coming all OK.

It took about 1 1/2hrs to get into the Wilderness Camp and once in we went to the office check in and organized a canoe trip for the next day.
In to set up camp and have a relaxing afternoon some did washing and some did nothing.

But it was nice to just sit and enjoy the sites around and take in the Kimberli es now that we are half way through the trip.

14th August Derby – Silent Grove

Another early start out of the caravan by 8:00am and all up to the wharf to take photos of all the cars lined up along the wharf. Today Roger leads and Ian McKinley tail end Charlie.

























Ron's tyre which was his second for the trip.

Stopped for an ice cream along the way at an old caravan off the Gibb River. Arrived Lennard Gorge about 12:00 had a bite to eat before making our way down to the water. It was a long way down so only some of us made it and had a swim while they were there.
By the time we walked back to the car it was 2:00pm and we had to get to Silent Grove so off we went and arrived about 4:00pm to set up and have a few drinks before tea. Very hot today and no clouds.

13th August Windjana Gorge – Derby

We got up early again today I just can't get used to the time difference over here. We had a walk to the gorge before we set off for Derby.







Boab tree


Longest trough

We arrived in Derby at 10:30am which was good as I did some washing and we all did some maintenance on cars and fixing up campers and getting supplies for the next few days.
We did some site seeing around Derby.










For dinner we had fish and chips down by the wharf watching they sun going down.
Ron got the shackle award tonight for leaving clothing on top of car and driving out of caravan park.
Fiona another tea towel to the collection.

12th August Fitzroy Crossing-Windjana Gorge

We were booked on a cruise down Geike Gorge at 8:30am so we all made our way out to that. Once on the boat it was very hot and there was no shade on the boat. The scenery was fabulous and there was a lot of croc's on the side of the banks. Once again a great tour organized.
I had to have a visit to the local hospital in Fitzroy Crossing as I have been battling a kidney infection and have had a pain in my back for a few days. So they were very good and gave me some antibiotics so hopefully I will be ok now.






Chris and Mary had to leave us and go into Derby to get there fridge fixed as it stopped working the day before.
We set off the Tunnel Creek which was the most amazing thing to see. We all walked through and out to the other side.









Next on the list was Windjana Gorge where we stayed for the night. I got dinner early but Paul and Ian decided to disappear for awhile and now one new where they were. When they came back they had been watching a show put on by the tour bus that had pulled into camp and the cook was going
to wrestle the croc's in the water with a knife.
Had an early tea this time in the light of the day which was great.
The shackle went to me tonight for leaving keys and phone in the camper when we folded all up and packed it away.

11th August Bungles Bungles – Fitzroy Crossing

We were the first to leave camp today 6:00am as we wanted to get into Halls Creek early so it took us 1 1/2hrs to get out of the bungles. On the way out we saw a beautiful dingo sitting on the road and he was not going to move out of the way for us. We also had some water crossings.

Pulled into Leycesters rest to put air in the tyres as we were going to be on tar for 100ks. We then made our way into Halls Creek once again to get fuel. When we arrived the que for fuel was out onto the street and we waited about 1/2hr to get it. We filled up on some supplies and sat around while everyone was ready as it was very hot.
Now we are off to Fitzroy Crossing about 240ks so we traveled for a few hours this time on tar.
When we arrived we went straight to the caravan park to set up. Some went for a swim and others did some washing and general tidy up of vehicles. Paul discovered that the trailer has thrown a shoe so he took them off until we get to Derby.
This time Paul got the shackle tonight.

10th August Bungles Bungles

This morning we had an early helicopter flight at 8:30am so off we set to get to the heliport at 7:30am. Once on the helicopter the scenery was awesome and the pilot was gorgeous. We had a 1/2hr flight and was well worth it thanks kids for my birthday present.





We have a mascot now and he is Corrie the crocodile on our trip with us now. We drove to and walked to Echidna chasm, Osmond range lookout, Mini Palms walk which they were just fantastic and well worth the walking. I think this holiday is a fitness one.
We had lunch in one of the picnic areas and the weather was really hot about 38deg C.
After we all had a shower we went and watched the sunset over the rocks before we went back to camp and had dinner. Carl got the shackle again today.

Toby with Corrie Croc

9th August Old Halls Creek – Bungles Bungles

We were the first to leave camp 7:00am. We went into Halls Creek and the car seems to be ok today, we all fueled up in Halls Creek and put air in our tyres as we will be on tar for 100ks or so. On the way we saw a dingo trying to pull a dead kangaroo off the road. We stopped on the way at Leycesters rest road side stop to let our tyres down to get back on dirt road and we had morning tea there while we were waiting.
We were the leaders today and traveled 1 1/2 hrs into the national park before we got into the visitors center so we could get a national park pass and pay for camping 2 nights. On the way we went through a few water crossing much to everyones delight.
After setting up camp we went for a walk to the Domes walk and Cathedral Gorge, and look out which filled in the afternoon.
That night while sitting around the camp fire we decided to had a broken shackle award and our first recipent was Carl.