Well, last blog we left you as we arrived in Karratha.  We had six lovely days with our friends, Briony, Troy, Caitlin and Lauren.  While they had school and work commitments, we explored.  A day trip to Dampier turned out to be very educational, as we explored the information centre.  It was great for the kids to see the iron ore being mined in Tom Price, then passing the trains full of iron ore on its way to Dampier, where then we watched it being loaded into massive ships.  We also learnt about the gas plant and watched an interactive movie on the whole process.   We also seen the Red Dog Memorial, and had a picnic on the beach.  Hearson's Cove was a lovely beach and we strolled along collection shells.  A little further down the track, we stopped and seen Aboriginal Rock Art, that is hundreds of years old.  It was time to head on however, and can't thank the Aston crew enough for their generosity and hospitality.

                                               Hearson's Cove

                                                          Red Dog Memorial

                                              Ships loading Iron Ore

                                                  Fun with friends

We hadn't planned on our next stop, but as we crossed the De Grey River, 100km north of Port Headland, we seen so many caravans camped on the banks.  After checking it out, it didn't take long to find the perfect spot, set up camp, light the fire and put a roast in the camp oven.....mmmm....life is good!!!

                                                    De Grey River camp

Eager Beavers as we are, we set off again in the morning with our sights set on the original camp at Cape Keraudren.   This is the beach we were told that you can find shells the size of your head.   Waiting for the tides, with backpack in tow, we set off.  We weren't disappointed, although the shells aren't quite as big as your head, they are still mighty impressive.   After collecting firewood, Troy sets off with his rod and me with the camera.  The colour of the water was so unique, it's so hard to describe.  Troy came back with two fish, which we cooked up for lunch.  We met some lovely people there, they come and set up for a couple of months every year.  Jenny and Graham were just beautiful people, and the kids took to Jenny immediately.  Jenny had made some vanilla slice and bought it over for us.  It was suppose to be for after dinner, but it was gone in a flash.  Next thing you know, Jenny had made more for the kids.  In return, the kids made her cards and gave lots of thanks and hugs.   Troy set off fishing the next morning, only to return with the biggest mud crab I have ever seen.  It was massive, with my lunch and dinner sorted, I was one happy camper.  The whole campground was alerted of the big catch as the kids where yelling and clapping that daddy's a hero.  The tide was out so we went exploring the mud flats.  It was great, we rescued a sea turtle that had trouble getting back to the water.  We also seen heaps of octopus and sea cucumbers.  The kids found it fascinating at how well they camouflaged themselves.  That night Jenny came over with freshly baked cup cakes for dessert, as well as enough for our morning tea on the road the next day.  They were delish!!!  It felt like we were leaving family, with everyone waving goodbye, Jenny front and centre.  She was so lovely!!

                       
                                         The girls with the big shells

                                                The water was amazing                       
                             The turtle we saved

                                            Big hunk, and Troy hehehe

                                                   watching dadddy fish

                                  The lovely Jenny with the kids, and her amazing cup cakes

                                                 walking on the beach

Making our way into Broome, we booked into the Cable Beach Caravan Park, and caught up with Simon, Krisy, Milla and Elke.  We un-hitched the van and headed straight to the famous Cable Beach.   We had only driven 20m when we realized we were on a nudist beach, much to the excitement of the kids, they couldn't understand why they were naked!  Knowing that there was only one way to go and that we weren't in the wrong place, we kept going!!!
 It was a very social park and we met some really nice people, who we had drinks with and the kids played spot light and made creations on their boogy boards.  We visited the Museum, where the kids were given activities to complete.  You can't go to Broome and not have a camel ride on Cable Beach.  It was pretty cool and the kids thought so too.  Us girls were given a pair of pearl earrings each from the company.  Gantheaume Point is where you can see dinosaur footprints, in the right tides.  Unfortunately for us, it wasn't the right time, but the point itself was great to explore.  We were happy with what we did and saw in Broome, so itchy feet had us heading to our next destination.

                                                      camel rides on cable beach

                                                 Gantheaume Point

 

                                                        Cable Beach

                                                         Boogy Board creations with friends

Derby information centre was where we found ourselves, and because they had had some substantial rain, some of the roads were closed.  The kids impressed the lady at the counter with their behaviour, so she gave them a book about a Sawfish to keep.  We stopped to see the Boab Prison Tree, where in the 1890's it was used as a lock up for Indigenous Australian prisoners on their way to Derby for sentencing.  After a yummo lunch at the pub, we push on another 100k to a Boab Tree Rest Area.  To me, this tree was far more impressive.  It's such a shame though, that people feel the need to carve their names into something so beautiful!!!

                                                   The Boab Prison Tree

                                              Mighty impressive, loved this camp

Next on the agenda, The Bungle Bungle Ranges.  We free camped just off the highway, next to a creek.  The kids are fully aware that we are in 'croc country' ( I can't tell you how Sammi says it, but she leaves the 'r' out in 'croc') and know that they are not allowed near the waters edge.   We went croc spotting, only we didn't see any, but snagged wood for the fire.  We also spotted a bat caught in a barbed wire fence.  That night around the fire we met a lady called Ideetcha and her daughter Tammy.  A very spiritual woman, who sang and played the didgeridoo for us around the fire.  Up early, we set off for our day exploring the Bungle Bungle.  Cathedral Gorge was beautiful, and I got some great pics.  The Echidna Chasm was our favourite for the day, walking in between the Chasm with massive boulders over head was a bit daunting, but amazing at the same time.  The kids were true champs again, not one complaint.  Back at camp and we were beat, so after a camp oven dinner and toasted marshmallows, we hit the sack.

                                              This ones my fav.  Cathederal Gorge

                                                           on the way to Cathedral

                                                          Spot the kids in the Chasm

                                                    Bungle Bungle

 

                                                               Ideecha

Heading up to Wyndham, we stop to get photos with the Big Crocodile when an Aboriginal man called us to come look.  Three Aboriginal ladies were on a mat, carving drawings into the nut off  the Boab Tree.  They were truly talented.  They also broke one open for us and explained how they used the insides to make medicines for upset tummy's.  The seeds were then used as peanuts.  It was really interesting and they were very welcoming, and we left with a finished carving on the nut!!  We camped at Parry's Campground, and the kids had a ball in the pool and toad hunting with a friend they had made.

                                                       The Big Crocodile

                                                        The kids with the women and kids

                                                             The Boab Nut

                                                            Parry's camp

A quick stop at Kununurra to re-stock the necessities and we were off to check out Lake Argyle.  A genuine 'wow' moment as we pulled in.  We weren't planning on staying, but how could we not.  It was spectacular, and what made it even more appealing, was the fact the manager didn't charge us for the twins.  His words " I can't possibly charge you for the twins, how would you afford to travel if I did'.  It was such a beautiful place, and the Lake itself  is 21 times more in volume than the Sydney Harbour, which makes it the largest freshwater body in the southern hemisphere.  The pool back at the caravan park was incredible overlooking the lake.  We were so glad we stopped. Within saying that, we were so excited about crossing the border into the Northern Territory.  Two months we have stayed and explored in Western Australia, and it has been amazing.

                                                        Lake Argyle

Up early, still keen as mustard to enter the Northern Territory.  We stopped and got our photos at the border.  Everyone was so excited with anticipation as to what this State would have in store for us.  We were driving past Table Top Platues and along the Victoria River.  The Roadhouse at Victoria River was where we spent our first in NT.  It's also where Troy hooked a freshwater croc on a lure.

                                                            The Border

                                                   Driving along the Victoria River

                                                       Thought this was funny

                                                         Troy fishing, snagging freshies

After fuelling up in Katherine, Edith Falls caught our attention.  It was a great private camp and only 150m to the bottom falls.  Troy and the kids went for a swim, I was a little more hesitant, thinking how could they be sure there were no crocs??  After lunch we hiked up to the top falls, and it was glorious.  I just had to get in, it was beautiful.  Still adjusting to the time difference, we woke a bit later than normal.  Earlier enough though to see and elderly couple, in a two hundred thousand dollar rig, skip out on paying the $12 to camp the night.  Is that how they afforded it??

                                             Troy and the Kids in the bottom falls

                                              The Kids and I in the upper falls

                                                            Little Legends

We are set to arrive in Darwin in the next day or two.  We are planning on s l o w i n g down and staying a while, hoping to pick up some work to top up our funds.  It has been 6months since we started on our journey and what a journey it has been.  We have seen some of the most beautiful places on earth, right here in our own country and we still have some amazing ones ahead of us.  Six months down and I'm still ridiculously in love with my husband and our four wondrous children (who couldn't love that big hunk of a man).

 

                                                          Our travels thus far
Until next time

Love ya's all
The Travelling Bryants
xoxoxox