Week 3 Timber Creek (N.T) crossing the state boarder to Kununurra (W.A)

J in Keep River N.P and lighting fire (1st and 3rd)

Family at the Ivanhoe crossing of Ord river

L at famous engraved boab tree

Girls near Victoria River in W.A

Hi Everyone

Hope you are all enjoying the blog. We hear that it is quite cold down south at the moment. Some of you have even gone skiing! Hard to believe when the temps here have been between 30 and 40 degrees.

We started off the week visiting Timber Creek where we saw the biggest freshwater crocodile at the caravan park. They feed it every night at 5pm. Timber Creek introduced us to Boab trees. Heaps of these majestic, odd trees around town and we visited the famous tree signed by Augustus Gregory in 1886. He was a pioneer explorer in the area. G would like to state that he found a Boab the day before marked 1894 with AG’s initials on a side road stuff-up. Kids are getting history lessons.

Then we made our way to Keep River National Park. This was spectacular scenery but very hot. We went on an early morning walk in the cool early light. G spotted a rock wallaby hopping around.

We ate up all our fruit and veg and then lined up to cross the W.A boarder. Every car is scrutinised for fruit, veg and nuts. Could not believe the ½ hour line-up and meticulous sort required of our rubbish bag to divide carrot and apple peel from general junk. We had to hand over our Boab nuts (most of them – could not find a few – Quarantine seemingly would have been quite happy for us to keep everyone waiting and pull the whole trailer apart if we showed any doubt).

Grey Nomads – Well what are they? Technically we are grey (V and G). So are most of those on the treadmill. But we now refer to the Grey Nomad more specifically. In our opinion they are the ones to which we are invisible. Those that are willing to chat are far different. For us the Nomad is very specific in their associations – easily recognised today by the geriatric daily washing of the precious caravan ceremony and wine drinking at night. Similar attitude noted to previously spotted at the Smithfield bowling club buffet on pension day – yep first in line for the best site in the best park for the cheapest price!!!! Will include a pictorial dedication page soon (sneak a few sly shots!).

Moving on....... We then stayed in Kununurra for 3 nights and only planned on one. We watched 4WD’s cross the fast flowing Ivanhoe crossing the Ord River. G was transfixed and wanting to give it a try. I was worried! Then went on tourist trail and visited the Sandalwood visitors centre. Sandalwood is a lucrative business – the oil extracted is used as a base for most perfumes around the world. The area is covered in irrigated plantations.

Heading West to Bungle Bungles over next few days.

V and G + kids