The Kimberly

We have been off-line for over 2 weeks, mainly because our computer died. It happened just after I finished the last blog and was playing chess against the computer. I was winning (again) and the computer spat the dummy and closed down. I re-started it 2 or 3 times on Safe Start Up but each time it closed down again after a short time and finally would not start at all. We had to wait until we got to Broome where they diagnosed the problem as a motherboard fault and hence, after much discussion and soul searching, we now have a new computer. So here is a summary of the last two weeks.
Distance travelled: 1,400km - all in the Kimberly
Weather: Sunny - have not seen a cloud for over a month, 28 - 32 degrees max, cool overnight, 10 - 15 degreees
National Parks Visited: 4
Tours: 2
Lattes: not enough

Parry Creek Farm
Lovely place with large, grassy, shady site (much different to our site at Kununurra).

Cambridge Gulf - Wyndham

Enjoyed visiting Wyndham where there were great views from the 'Five Rivers Lookout', on a hill behind the town called 'the Bastion'.





Had two visits to nearby Marglus Billabong, part of the Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve, where there was a bird hide where we observed thousands of water birds. Our second visit was at dawn with track suits on over our PJ's.

 Purnululu National Park
Stayed at Bungle Bungle Caravan Park near the start of the access road. We were on the tour bus at 7.00am and it took 2 hours to do the 53km to the National Park on an awful road.

                 Walks to Picanniny Lookout (2km)

                          Cathedral Gorge (4km) - huge and awesome, impossible to photograph

and the Domes Walk (400m)

After lunch we drove to the northern end of the park to the Echidna Chasm. An amazing place, narrow like Silent Street in the Grampians, but 100s of metres high and a long way in. In some places huge lumps of conglomerate were wedged high above where you walked. 

After the rough ride home we were well and truly ready for the lovely meal provided as part of the tour.

Aboriginal Art Gallery and School    

Whilst driving between Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing we saw a sign to an Aboriginal Art Gallery, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The 8km track in was quite rough, Merilyn was driving and handled it very well. Near the entrance to the  community was a new orchard and large vegie garden. Next to the carpark was an attractive pavilion with boards detailing how the community was founded and a brief history. Then we walked past the school to the art gallery which contained some wonderful art. We were thrilled with the conversation with Annette, the curator who was from the Mornington Peninsula and had been employed by the Community for the last 5 years. She also drove the school bus and had started the school orchard and vegetable garden. She told us about the history of the community. The school and gallery were the vision of one of the aboriginal elders who was also a wonderful artist. There are 70 students in the school, prep to Year 10, which is an Independent School run by a Community Board and serving several surrounding comminities. The school children we met spoke politely and well with beaming smiles. The whole place was neat and clean. It was quite a contrast with what we have seen in the bigger centres. Very much an indigenous led community. Annette said there were many similar communities in the district. We left feeling much encouraged, also with a new art work for the wall of the new house.

As we drove on to a lookout for lunch strong winds raised black willy-willy's out on the burnt plains.

.....to be continued