Week 3 Lake Argyle

Day 24 - Week 3 Lake Argyle

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Life continues. We get stronger! Still loving the life, and loving our days off (today) even more :) Things seem to be getting into a bit more of a routine. This last week I have been training in the shop/reception. Loads of fun, chaotically busy at times, talk about being a jack of all trades. Really looking forward to the day I can answer all the questions customers ask, without having to find another staff member to ask them.

Chauffeur is being renamed whilst we live here, as he is hardly driving (only once a week when we head into Kununurra for supplies). Two to three times a week he has been on garbage collections. Driving around in the ute and emptying all the wheelies bins (we have lots) the ute gets stacked high. Anyway, he is constantly finding stuff to bring home. The first week it was a camping chair, with broken arm. It is now fixed and is a great addition to the camping kitchen near us. Last week it was a little bench, now fixed it is a very useful little table in our own camping kitchen. Yesterday he acquired another chair (this time given to our neighbour whose chair had seen better days), and there are always magazines etc. so he is now called BB Harrison (bower bird). Speaking of which, there are hundreds of them living here. Such pesky things, always stealing, I have to cover the kitchen area when we are working as they jump in. They stole my dried mango fruit leather! There is a fascinating nest in between 2 cabins, it has an array of all the goodies they have 'acquired' laying on the ground in front of the nest -see photo.

Managed to download Michael Morcombe's Australian Book of Birds (ipad app) it is fantastic. The birds here are incredible. Yesterday we saw a Gouldian Finch, they are a very rare and endangered species. We walked out on to the bluff in front of the CP and then over to the old Durrack Homestead. It has been moved from its original site as that is now under the lake. Quite an amazing family.

We had a bush fire a few days ago. Accidentally started from a cigarette, the poor man was absolutely devastated, one of those genuine accidents, where he had done all the right things, but one spark escaped! Anyway, it went up the hillside, and we had quite a show all night. It is on its way to Halls Creek now! (see photo of dam, with blackened hill behind).

Our brakes (shoes/pads) arrived last week and BB manged to get them installed on Sunday Ravi when he finished early, along with the help of Little Dave, one of our wonderful neighbors. So we will be driving into town today without haring around the corners!!!speaking of haring, have heard there is a Hash House Harriers in town, might have to check it out, depending on when they run, and how serious they are :)

Well I thing that is most fond this week's news, stay tuned for next week' installment.

	Dam Wall [Map]		From Bluff to CP [Map]
	Bush Fired Dam Wall [Map]		Otherside of Durrack Homestead [Map]
	Pannekin Bay [Map]		Rock Window [Map]
	Infinity Pool [Map]		Bower Bird Nest [Map]

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Cruizin the Lake

Day 10 - Cruizin the Lake

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Started the day with an invite to cruise the Lake. Staff are 'obliged' to sample the cruises on offer at the resort, so we can market them! Oh yawn, this is so hard ;). Set off at 1:00 with Matt our Capt/host/guide for the afternoon. Full running commentary of the area, including all the lowdown on water levels, capacity, dam construction etc. very interesting. Historical info - the Durracks and influence on the area. Out to the island to fossic for zebra rock again. Very different from last time. The water was like glass. Up revolver creek, lots of bird life. Local sea eagle has come to expect a treat from Matt and (eventually) swooped down to retrieve a fish thrown out for him. A bit of competition from a Wedgie who attempted to swipe it off him. Lots of oohs and Aarhs from fellow (paying) passengers. All this topped off by an optional swim (for those with thick skin) and then they opened up the medicine chest! Oh yea, yes please. Cheese and biscuits as well. Yum. Eyes feasted, and tummy comfortable. Then the islands lit up by the setting sun.

We gave it a 10 out of 10 and will happily recommend it.

	Lake Argyle [Map]		Map [Map]
	Wake of Silver Cobbler [Map]		Sea Eagle coming in for the Catch [Map]
	Sunset posing [Map]		Sunset in the Kimberley's [Map]

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Lake Argyle

The sea change is happening. We spent the last few days around Kununarra getting prepared to work again. Getting the car serviced, (brakes worn out!) .

Arrived at our new place of employment 'The Lake Argyle Resort' Sunday afternoon. The place was awash with tourists, the reception a hive of activity, all 'parking attendants' rushed off our feet. The concrete pad they had reserved for us turned out to be unsuitable for our setup as we open out the wrong way. That has actually been a blessing in disguise. We moved over into the 'staff area' behind the main reception area and is a little less busy. Not totally quiet as there seems to be a refrigerated container nearby and the helipad is only 50 meters away, however, they are not that busy, and we are up well before their first flight. It is not busy (yet?) so never heard more than a couple of flights a day.

Our first duties have been the ablution blocks! Bonesy, who usually does them, had a funeral to attend down south and was away for the week, so we are well and truly trained in cleaning loos, showers, camp kitchens and laundrys. My neck and shoulders are suffering, but will be all good by next week. Malcolm also got to drive the ute around, collecting rubbish, and directing traffic, ie getting people assigned and helping them get their vans parked in the right spot.

Wednesday night was State of Origin (QLD/NSW). The restaurant was packed with tourists plus all the staff off duty, and the rest of them serving or in the kitchen. It was a lively evening, we had a good time.

In town (today and tomorrow off) filling up on groceries etc, and just enjoying a pub lunch, gosh this is a hard life being a grey nomad, think I could get used to this :)

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Day 1

Sunday, 1 July 2012

	Lake Argyle [Map]

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Keep River to Kununarra

Day 7 - Keep River to Kununarra

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

One last walk here, and it was the best, before stopped for lunch to eat the last of our fruit and veges (can't bring them back to WA) then into Kununarra to buy some more.

Found a pair of black shorts and a black skirt in the kids dept for my new 'career', chauffeur also got kitted out.

Checked into Hidden Valley CP, ready for an early start to get DMax serviced.

	Photo 1 [Map]		Photo 2 [Map]
	Honeycomb Rocks Keep River [Map]

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Lake Argyle to Keep River

Day 6 - Lake Argyle to Keep River

Monday, 25 June 2012

During the night, my necklace, that I had worn for over 4 years, fell off! Couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe what I did next either. Chauffeur had seen an advert at the camp kitchen for Resort staff, so I went down to the office and applied. Within the hour we had basically signed on to help out for the season. Sea Change! New necklace, must mean time for a change. We start next Monday. What the heck, what have we got to lose. Seem to remember the move to Canada happened a bit like this, just jumped in, heh, heh! We have a week to get the car serviced, find some black shorts and a skirt, stock up with a bit of time to explore the area.

So we headed over the NT border to explore Keep River.

The reports said it was like a mini Bungle Bungles. They weren't fibbing. The walks were wonderful. Not such a cold night either. Quite a pleasant change as it has been too cold to even sit outside and eat.

	Keep River NP, NT [Map]		Mini Bungles Bungles [Map]
	Keep River NP [Map]		Mini Bungle Formations [Map]

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Lake Argyle

Day 5 - Lake Argyle

Sunday, 24 June 2012

Realised why the cruise was half price! The wind never let us. Although I don't ever remember feeling sea sick, there is always a first time, so we took one of Michael's Travacalm tablets as insurance. After a short bus ride down the 'escarpment' to the Kat. Welcomed aboard, are we were off. This lake is huge. There we only 11 passengers on board (takes 30) oh, oh, have we been mugs, sucked in by the 50% discount? All of us a bit concerned about the sea conditions. Yes, the wind was a bit chilly, but we had rugged up sufficiently, and there were plenty of places on board to shelter with great views, so no problem. Also she rode the waves really well. That is until I stepped around the BBQ on the back, missing my footing at went splat on the deck. I landed about 6 inches from the water, and remember thinking, oh how embarrassing I am going for a swim. However, my shoulder hit a cleat and stopped the forward momentum, and only my pride was hurt. Besides a big bruise on my chin and a graze on my nose where they hit the deck. Can't stop chuckling about it now even.

The days was fantastic, Capt Bill and Liz, pointed out things of interest, and after morno's we buoyed up alongside a small rocky island. Small being key word. I was quite surprised when we were told we could go ashore, via a VERY small blow up dinghy and look for zebra rock. No life jackets. Four of us clambered on after Capt Bill after he started the minute motor. The waves were lapping up the sides, which seemed to only be. Couple of inches above the water level. Only a few minutes to cover the 50 meters to the rocky shore where we clambered off for the Capt to return for more. I wandered the short length of the island to almost stumble across a large croc. I don't know who was more surprised, but being a freshy he didn't hang around long enough to pose for the camera. We found several pieces of souvenir rocks then it was time to get back to the Kat. I was starving by this stage so was first aboard after the Capt. If I had seen who was lining up behind me I might not have been so eager, not only Chauffeur, Michael and a lady a little bigger than me (who isn't:)? But the largest man on board. I was waiting for Captn so say "too many, one person will have to wait for the next trip" and 8 would have eagerly hopped off, but instead he said "push us off". Now I know from watching many a person at the boat ramp that you don't push off until the engine has started, however, it was a little difficult to put the engine down with the shallow rocky beach, and off we floated, to be picked up rapidly by the current, and guess what. Yep, the engine, him no speak broom broom! As the island got further away, and the seas got higher, I suggested we start paddling. After about the 20th attempt, the Capt agreed. Fortunately that seemed to be the necessary encouragement for the engine to roar into life and the little tiny overloaded boat bravely made its way to the Kat. Wondered if I was experiencing emotions similar to boat people. The waves lapped over the edges, and was grateful to step on to the safety of the big Kat. Second time in the space of a few hours that I had thought I might be going for an unintentional swim. Lunch was very welcome, and managed to wolf down a huge overly stuffed wrap. The events of the day must have heightened my appetite. The sail back was delightful, and due to the wind behind us, I was able to experience laying in one of the nets hanging between the pontoons. The sunset, avec sundowners put us all at ease and we were very happy sailors when we got back to dock.

	Boarding the Kimberley Kat [Map]		On Zebra Rock Island [Map]
	Sunning in the Net [Map]		Sunset Lake Argyle [Map]

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Kimberley's

After The Grotto, came in to the King River Rd from the Wyndham end. Huge salt flats. Past Moocharalbra dam, a bit of rock art, spillway, large prison boab. Found a lovely clearing for the night, and whilst I set up our "penthouse suite" chauffeur tried to land our dinner. The banks of the King River were very steep muddy banks, so hoping it was safe from crocs. There were fishing jumping up everywhere (quite noisily) but none of them were interested in our lures.

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Day 1

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Day 2 - King River to Wyndham

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Morning started with chauffeur on the banks of the river. Again, fish just not interested. Quite interesting to see the tide come in. We must be 100km inland! And it is as if someone has turned the taps on full blast. Within half an hour the muddy banks are under water and it no longer feels as if we have a 'safe' barrier between us and those killer monsters that lurk in the rivers up here:) by the time we left the banks had appeared again. Had a nice easy morning as it is Michael's birthday and he had a couple of presents to open. A lovely underwater camera from Marion and a traveling companion from us - Connie the. Camel! She is so cute I had quite a hard time letting her go. Eventually we packed up and went passed the Diggers Rest. A lovely station, nestled in close to the Cockburn Ranges. Lovely friendly people. Found out the gossip on why the Kuranjie Rd is closed, a bit controversial and they aren't happy about it as a lot of the traffic through there ended up stopping at the Diggers Rest. Will voice our complaints at the Kununnarra shire when we get there. It is part of the El Questro lease, but the tourist side of it is not interested in the cattle side any more so they leased the land to farmers from SA. They don't want people driving through! Their sign said closed until Juy 1st because of mustering. But Diggers Rest said they finished mustering 10 days ago! I'm u happy to learn that El Questro is leased by an American mob. We brought our lunch into Diggers Rest and spent an hour or so chatting to the very friendly crew there.

Then on into Wyndham. Very characterful little town, cheapest fuel as well, $1.67. Had a chat to some locals on the jetty, then up to the Five Rivers Lookout. Quite an amazing view. Forrest, Durrack, King, Ord and Pentecost rivers flow into the Gulf of Cambridge. Lots of local fires so it is a bit hazy, but a very pleasant sundowner experience. Headed down again to the Wyndham Town Hotel for Michael's birthday tea. The Manger, Sue, is a true character, and entertained us well. Her seafood basket of threadfin salmon and barra was a feast.

	King River High Tide [Map]		Sunset Wyndham [Map]

Day 3 - Wyndham

Friday, 22 June 2012

Croc farm tour very entertaining. The guy who runs it had us amused for 1 1/2 hrs with all the tales (tails:) of his babies. Each croc has a story, and they have all been trouble makers In their youths. Some of them are nearly 100 years old. Used for breeding now to supply an order of 1000 crocs a year. The belly skins sent to Paris for the haute couture, but everything is used, even the eyes - for novelty key chains! Won't be volunteering for any jobs there.

Called in to the fish place, where we found barra, Jew fish, threadfin salmon and croc tail steaks for $22 a kilo. All nicely filleted, caught locally 2 days ago. Filled the freezer, yum! Also filled the fuel tank, and gas bottle and headed out of town to the Marlgu Billabong. Thousands of birds. It is a wetlands nature reserve along the Parry Creek Road. We must have spent a good hour there, spotting the feathery things, and along it's it's Michael's bird book we identified some as well.

A little further along at Buttons campsite, we pulled up for the night, and enjoyed some threadfin. The river 'popped', gurgled and splashed all night. Don't know if it is fish or crocs, certainly not going down to check it out. Chauffeur has bought himself a hand line and threw in a couple of times with a frozen mullet, but they were gone before he knew it!

	Fred [Map]

Day 4 - Kununnarra

Saturday, 23 June 2012

A nice drive down Parry Creek Rd into Kununnarra. Ivanhoe Crossing closed as there is work being done on the other bridge and so they are releasing water from the dam, but we still went to look at it, made a good picture even if we couldn't drive over. However, the first thing we did was drive over the other bridge and back out to the other side of Ivanhoe crossing. The first thing that hits you is the greeness, truly verdant! Irrigated farmland everywhere. Reminds me of Mareebra north of Atherton. Gives you a bit of a buzz feeling. Makes me feel hungry looking at all these veges.

Must stop was the Hoochery. Oldest producing Rum Distiller in WA. Very characterful tracker shed converted into the 'tourist' shop but extremely well done. Got all the spiel and the tasting before we decided which variety to buy (it will certainly warm the cockles of our heart on a cold desert night).

Then on to the Sandlewood factory. Same deal there, but more to sample. Came out smelling like the ladies in the Middle East. Very nice, but I had lathered every part of arms and legs with variety of creams and potions and within the hour I felt quite sick and had a sore throat! They were also selling Chia Seeds, which I was thrilled about as we ran out a week ago.

Up to Kelly's Knob which looks out over the town of Kununnarra. This is a very attractive town. The rocky outcrops make a lovely backdrop to the green town. Very different to the Gibb River and the flatness/salt pans of Wyndham.

On to Lake Argyle, another one of my must sees, even if it did mean staying in another caravan park. The drive out is lovely. The rocks so different. CP heaving with people and vans, but we squeezed in and booked a boat cruise as they were being offered half price!

	Ivanhoe Crossing [Map]		Inside of Hoochery [Map]
	Lake Argyle Infinity Pool [Map]

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