Monday 15 – Wednesday 17 – Lakeland
After the shopping in Mareeba (chauffeur forgetting to find to look for a fuel filter) we headed off to Lakefield NP. Took a detour to the coast to check out Flattery Bay. Several creek crossings and 'ponds'. At first we had Michael wading out to check them out. I had my first drive through one of these ponds. Everyone had driven through and chauffeur was out front doing his other job of 'photographer' so I thought I would be helpful and move Max up to the edge of the pond. Unfortunately photographer got in as passenger before I could swop seats. I told chauffeur to instruct me as we drove out. Halfway through he starts telling me “In a bit, in a bit”. Well, I ask you does that mean 'in to the middle' or 'in to the outside edge'? Apparently it meant 'In to the outside edge”. My cries of do you mean left or right fell on deaf ears! No wonder I don't like the chauffeur's job. However, that little pond was nothing. The next one Trevor waded out, with sticks, and after much walking about assured us there was nothing deeper than waist height – now his waist height would be up to my armpits. A couple put the tarps over the bonnets, and through we went. I was very impressed as Trev stood there on the shallowest point and everyone driving straight for him until the last minute when he managed to step out of the way. We all got across without any drama, everyone happy with the performance of their vehicles. We continued on to the coast, a long slow drive. Michael happy as larry, he shot off down the beach to explore. None of us were that impressed with the beach. It was good hard sand, but the water was brown (and we all knew the threat of crocs would not tempt any of us to swim). Have never seen so much rubbish on a beach. It was littered all the way along the 20kms that we drove. Driftwood galore, but every other sort of rubbish you could think of – so sad. However, on the drive back I saw 6 pool noodles, I have picked up 2 and hidden them for a future treat for Jamie and Lewis when we reach a pool without crocs. It was a long driving day and eventually camped for the night at a place called Horseshoe Lagoon. There was a bit of a spectacular drive but the sun was very low at this stage and driving west it was quite difficult to see at that time and fully appreciate it – but it is noted that it is definitely a Henry Drive. Horseshoe Lagoon seemed to be free of crocs so we slept peacefully.
Wednesday 17th August 15,629
Decamped Horseshoe Lagoon and followed main track up to Old Laura Homestead. What an amazing place – and even more amazing people who pioneered the place over 100 years ago. There was a great write up about the history, talking about the cattle 'before the ticks did them in'. They also had a bit of luck with breeding horses, and had a good stud with 'Winston' but the offspring were a bit prone to 'legginess'. We all had such a chuckle. The children were prolific as well – they didn't have telly in them days. Talking of which, we don't have it out here ourselves either, can't complain, heh, heh. Checked out a few more lagoons and stopped at Kalpower for morno's. Met some relies there – well Djan's well-to-do cousin. Yep, another Travelander but the Premium Model. A lady called Margy, who had taken a year off work from Canberra to do the 'circuit'. We did all the 'comparisons', etc. it really was like catching up with long lost relatives. No doubt we will cross paths a few more times as she heads up to the Cape as well. In fact we stayed so long chatting, not only was it a morno's stop we had lunch as well. More lagoons in the afternoon. Michael had detoured off, he wanted to see Cape Melville. We should catch up again soon. The driving got quite bumpy, one of the dry creeks called Jam Tin Creek – chauffeur thought it was Tim Tam Creek and that had him drooling in no time. We have now set up for the night in Salt Water Creek. A nice open ground not too close to the water. Bird life galore – quite a few bats this evening. I think a frog has just landed on my foot – my croc shot off so quickly it nearly landed in the fire – much to the mirth of our camping companions.
Thursday 18th August – 15,802
Richard and Helen went off to Archer River whilst we decided to accompany Trev and Rachael to Charlotte Bay via the Lilyvale Station Road. Weren't sure if it was a private road and if we could get through. Quite an interesting drive and when we got to the station after letting ourselves through a few gates we came to the homestead. The tutor was home with a couple of children. The youngest was having a lesson on The Air and the tutor invited Jamie and Lewis in to watch/listen. Very interesting. The son and tutor advised us it was a public 'road' through their property and we could get down to a very picturesque campsite near the beach but to beware of the salties. If we then wanted to continue north up the track to Port Stanley we might not get through because there was a 'boggy' section. We got through to the beach and campsite (called Salty Creek). It really was picturesque and if we had been in WA would probably have set up camp early and enjoyed the beach. However, there was a decent sized salty sunning itself on the bank only a few metres away, and when Trev and chauffeur walked down the sand it slipped into the little creek/inlet and we could see it cruising around. Camping on the beach takes on a whole different perspective when you have to watch where you are going and swimming is definitely a no no – buggar! So after the fishermen were discouraged with nothing going for their lures we pushed on heading north to Port Stanley to see what this 'boggy' section was like. A biking tour passed us at the first creek crossing and they also told us there was about a one km section of boggy stuff (which they could bypass) and also a significant river crossing at the end with a steep jump up at the far side but if we had winches we should be ok. So off we went. Yep, there was a boggy section. Trev being in front and towing a trailer got stuck, but with Rachael at the wheel (having been piggybacked by Trev over the mud and back to the car) and with both boys digging, they were soon out. Plenty of scouting the trail in front and we were off again, but not for long. This time it took a couple of hours. All the recovery gear came out and the snatch straps attached in various combinations. It was really only the trailer that was making things a bit difficult, but Trev was up to his knees in mud – and it was quite entertaining watching him push Max as he needed a bit of help to get out of the ruts. Fortunately, the black mud wasn't stinky and there were no mossies. The boys did a grand job, and eventually we were on terra-firma again. All the digging and filling ruts with logs had occupied us for so long, lunch time had been and long gone and it was decided to just have a few nibbles in the car and see what this river at the end of the track held in store for us. It turned out not too bad. Quite a wide river crossing, but not much water, just a lot of very soft sand, with quite a soft steep bank at the far side. Trev let his tyres down further and made it across with no problems, just asking us not to run him down as he came back to try and 'decake' some of the mud off (it looked like he had spray on wellies). Our Max cruised across and up with no problems, but we were in 4L, lockers on, and not 'hanging about'. Eventually hit the road from the PDR and turned east to Port Stanley – oh what a pleasure to be driving east at this time in the afternoon when the sun is low in the sky. Found the 'clearing' where a few fishermen seem to be camped and as soon as the trailer and our Djan were opened we delved into the fridge for a nice cold, well earnt beer. Not sure if we had lunch, snacks, or dinner – it was a sort of blend. At sunset a gaggle of bats set off overhead – now I think I know what that 'dribble' was that I saw down the side of the canvas this morning :-) As I am sitting writing this in the cab of Max, chauffeur is in Djan 'decaking' mud. I am being wobbled around as much as some of the tracks we have been on – he must be having to scrub really hard. All seems still now, it might be safe to retire for the night.
Friday 19th July 15954 Port Charlotte Bay to Iron Range NP – Chilli Beach
Quite a nice cruisy day, no hard 4WD but very interesting landscape. Coming up on to the Dividing Range was beautiful. Quite dusty in places, and a lot of dusty spots. Most of it gravel, but stretches of tarmac (have eventually learnt that these stretches of hard top are overtaking places :-). We passed through Archer River Roadhouse expecting to find Richard and Helen nearby, but no such luck. We called out over the radio every half hour or so hoping to get a reply, but expect they have gone on to Weipa (we'll find them tomorrow). After Archer River, we continnued north unntil the turn off west for Iron Range NP. It is just lovely. We must have passed at least 6 Landy's heading south . Chauffeur said he thouught they must be the BTDT crew. (been there done that). The road into Chilli beach was incredible. If you shut your eyes for a second you could think you had fallen asleep for an hours, so quickly did the landscape change – from flat grassy plains, low lying scrub very typical of WA, to tall overhanging rainforrest, with creek crossinngs. Mt Tozer lookout was beautiful with termite hills being illuminated by the low afternoon sun. On the way into Chilli we stopped at the WWII 'airport' amazing to think there were 30,000 troops here during the war (American and Australian). We think Chilli Beach might hhave been thheir R & R location. Have arrived here now and it is rather 'full'. Campers everywhere, but we have managed to squeeze in, with ocean views, coconuts everywhere and not a croc to be seen. Trying to cook dinner, but there is a strong sea breeze so am having to watch the gas doesn't blow out – vegetarian dhal tonnight – yum. Chauffeur just stuck his head in and told me it is ready so I had better go. PS I am not a bad typist, it is this wretched keyboard ad I am fed up deleting and retyping and addig letters, so this is what you get ;-) XXXX (That is not kisses to everyone, just my little message to I know How much of mmy blog I have posted.
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