Step 78 Fitzroy Crossing – Mary's Pool, Mary River 180km's

Tuesday 21^st June

The ear plugs failed me this morning and I was woken up early by a phone call from the East coast. But on the other hand it was good to catch up on a bit of goss from home.

Even though we were up early it is still 10:00 by the time we get out on the road. But the road is certainly worth it today, we are definitely travelling through classic Kimberley country. All reds, greens and yellows, hills and plains. It really is a beautiful part of the country.

Retracing the steps of the Hertaegs in the Travels with the Taj Tour we stopped at the Ngumban Cliffs for morning tea. True to Vicki's description it is extremely windy but the view is more than worth it.

In an attempt to get the budget at least a little bit back on track we are stopping at a free camp tonight at Mary's Pool. 

But it is also a recommendation by our travel advisors and it doesn't disappoint. Yet again a completely free camp turns out to have a beautiful setting and wonderful outlook. Mind you these places are extremely popular and when we arrive at 12:30 there is already a crowd settled in. By the time it gets dark there must have been 70 vans, tents and campers in here.

It's a different crowd in these places too, although the couple that started wine o'clock at 1:00pm are different even for a free camp.

Making the most of the early stop we wandered down to the river and pool and took in the view. No crocs here today though.

On our walk we are also passed by a lot of people dragging a LOT of wood back their individual sites. Think it's going to be a lively night in camp tonight.

In another first for the trip the afternoon serenity is interrupted by a lone piper on the river. Nope, not a bird piper a man with a set of bagpipes.

No kilt ladies - sorry

Again it's dark by 5:30, well it would be if it wasn't for the glow(s) of 20 campfires.

Given the early darkness we ended up heading off to bed early tonight so it was with quite a start that I awoke half an hour after I had disappeared into a deep sleep with Di shaking on my arm saying “are you awake?”. After responding, politely, with “well I am now” she pointed out the window at the biggest brightest sky I think we have seen on the trip so far. Well I suppose it was worth the interruption.