Day 1 - Leaving Middle Lagoon
Saturday, 9 June 2012
Back to the early starts, long drive today heading to Windjana Gorge. Stopped at Roebuck RH to refuel. Our leaders Guy and Wemdy used to own this place 28 years ago! It has changed, they said. A long drive into Derby, us Pommies keep getting reminded that it is pronounced that way and not DARBY! Nice big Woolworths, so stocked up on as much fresh stuff as I could possibly fit in the fridge and freezer. Drove out to the jetty and found a nice fish and chip cafe so treated ourselves to a thread fin salmon lunch. Found the local diesel depot (6 cents cheaper) and eventually some water (get the feeling some towns aren't too happy to share their water). Checked out the giant prison boab tree before leaving Derby and hitting the Gibb River Road and on to Windjana Gorge. Not a bad drive, so far, it is in very good condition.
Arrived late afternoon. Not a bad little campsite, quite a few campers, but at least the generator campers are kept separate. We camped with the huge basalt-like cliffs towering above us, lit up spectacularly by the setting sun. Some a couple of the more adventurous went down to the gorge after dark with torches to light up the croc eyes. A great campfire circle. Chauffeur impressed everyone by demonstrating his ability to inflate a 4 liter wine bladder with one breath. No one else could come near, except Richard, who is probably the fittest amongst us.
The morning saw us filing into the gorge. About a 6km return walk and well worth it. Just beautiful. Lots of water, crocs, and towering cliffs. Back to the cars, and a 22 drive to Tunner Gorge. No one knew what to expect other than getting a bit wet and we were all delightfully thrilled. A single line scramble up and over and around large boulders down into the tunnel/cave. Started wading, bits of daylight to begin with, eyes gradually adjusting and then total darkness. Discovered my torch, whilst ok for reading in bed, is worth diddly squat in a pitch black cave. Stumbled around trying to keep up with chauffeur, whose Christmas present torch was excellent. A one kilometer walk through a mostly pitch black tunnel, with lots of water, and all the cave stalagmite features was an unforgettable experience. Just a short distance out of the other side were a few rock paintings.
Sent from my iPad by My Vacation HD app (www.myvacationapp.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment