Rest of the holidays
I am now so far behind in my writing that I will be combining days and giving far less detail.
Mini Palms Gorge, Bungle Bungles.
Heading back from El Questro, we were going to Kununurra Show. Now when you live where we do, these are events to really look forward to. There was no available accommodation, so I rang a couple we had met in the Bungles a few months ago who had become good friends. Peter and Di had recently moved up from Hamilton in Victoria. Di was second in charge and had got a transfer to Kununurra, Peter was off the land and had that wonderful country dry wit.. Their children had grown up, (one having emigrated to Iceland of all places), and they were now ripe to embrace life’s adventures.
I rang and asked if we could camp in their back yard. They had visitors up from Hamilton, but it was no problem. They were going away for the Saturday night and said the house was ours to use as our own. Peter even defrosted for us an enormous barramundi steak to have as our dinner the night they were away.
Bungle Bungles
Lizzy and Urda were amazed how Pete and Di opened their hearts so warmly to complete strangers. We talked together about that is just how it is up here for many people. You are all away from family and friends, and so the new folk you meet quickly become your surrogate family. Having Juliette makes this easier for they all remember grandchildren they have left behind.
The show was fun, with some uniquely country events such as the watermelons races. Kids were made a pair of clogs out of a large watermelon and had to slide along a sudsy plastic sheet in a relay. The Ord Valley is famous for its beautifully sweet melons and so it was only right they featured.
After being in town for a few days we headed off to Warmun, and Lizzy was amazed by the wide open spaces and beautiful scenery of the drive home. We did many loads of washing and repacked our things ready to head off again camping in the Bungles the next day.
Again we had a great time at the bungles but the road had deteriorated significantly since the last visit, so much so that Mike declared that was the last time he was putting our car through that! It was a wonderful few days as you can see by Urda’s beautiful photos.
The final part of our holidays was back to Kununurra for we girls had booked a full day tour on Lake Argyle and the Ord River. This was sensational as both skippers had a wonderful knowledge of the bird life which was very extensive. I think the highlight though was approaching the spillway at Kununurra at sunset and sailing slowly around the wetlands. With the pink of the sky reflecting off the water, ringed by the beautiful rugged ranges that were bathed in the glow of sunset, the experience was breathtaking. The variety of birds and close encounters with crocs was awesome.
We said goodbye to the girls on Saturday afternoon, but Peter and Di were taking them back to their place for dinner and a shower before their late flight. We get on the road early as it is just too dangerous to drive at night with the cattle and kangaroos.
A great holiday was had by all!
Juliette and a bower bird nest
