Sunday 19th June
Bidding Derby a very fond farewell we headed off to Fitzroy Crossing this morning.
Before leaving the “city limits” though we had a quick stop at the prison boab tree. These boab trees are absolutely amazing. They reckon the prison tree is 1500 years old. Yep one thousand five hundred years old. That's older than Rube would have been even.
yep prisoners.
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| Bullocks. No, “bullocks”. Up to 500 could drink at this trough at the same time. Possibly the longest in the southern hemisphere. |
Out on the open road we cross the Hardman River, but it's dried up. Maybe it should be renamed the Bounty River.
Proof readers note: get over it Steve. It was called a speculative share because the outcome was speculative!
Just after lunch we arrived at the Fitzroy Crossing Lodge and Caravan Park and quite the oasis it is in the middle of the Kimberley. An enormous block of land with the Lodge and up market accommodation at the front and caravan park to the back.
It turns out the army is in town too.
It also appears Tony & Jo from Adelaide are also in town so naturally we headed straight over for wine o'clock. Even popped up to the lodge for a quick drink in the bar. Tony and Jo are taking advantage of having the 4WD and are heading into the Bungle Bungles tomorrow. As motor-homers we will be taking the softer option and doing the Geiki Gorge boat trip.
Another new adventure for Di tonight as we watch the first couple of episodes of NCIS LA. It will grow on her.
Monday 20th June
There's an 8:00 o'clock tour at the gorge this morning. Obviously we didn't go on that, mainly due to the fact that we didn't get up until 8:30. Still loving the ear plugs. Was a little disappointed to discover the army boys (and girls) went out for their run at 6:00am so I've missed out on joining in.
As planned we headed off for the 11:00am cruise, stopping for a muffin and iced coffee in the park of course.
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| Inside the shed there are markings for the various flood levels. In March this year the water was half a metre ABOVE the roof. In 1992 it was TWO METRES above the roof. |
The tour, as recommended by (the senior) Kendalls and Hertaegs was fantastic and great value at $28 per head. Loads of crocs to be seen on the banks and rocks as we drifted along, sensational rock formations and loads of bird life. I was so excited I managed to take a hundred photo's (actually 101) in the one hour we were on the boat. The crocs were all freshies, as we call them here in the North West. That's freshwater crocodiles to you city folk, or Crocodylus Johnstoni to the more academic.
Proof readers note: For once that really is the Latin name, he didn't make it up.
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| Like Reef sharks, freshwater crocs are mostly harmless Like Reef Sharks, I don't believe them |
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| Elton would be thrilled - Crocodile Rock |
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| OK, this time I am fully in agreement with the naming committee Richard Nixon Rock |
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| Refer comments above about freshwater crocs You will not find me paddling in their front garden |
Falling for the old “it looks good in the brochure” trick again we stopped off at the old crossing pub on the way back to camp. Definitely falls into the overselling category of brochures. We did NOT stop for a drink and I did not take a picture.
The town is really just an IGA supermarket and a petrol station. But as our contribution to the government economic stimulus program we topped up on supplies at the supermarket and diesel at the petrol station.
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