I don’t have words to describe today adequately. I have completed the hardest hike I’ve done at least since I’ve had kids. The ‘no knees Mitcho’s’ brigade have excelled themselves! We left camp at 630 as the day was forecast to reach 36 deg (which it did!). First stop was at the water crossing to the gorge which we had been warned was 1m deep and was very long. We parked up the vehicles and did our best to walk…
Today we finally crossed the infamous Pentecost. After hearing stories of 25% of vehicles requiring retrieval a month ago, we were so happy to traverse this lengthy crossing with low water level and no surprises under the surface. We timed our crossing close to low tide as the river is tidal (hence the croc warnings). Not the trickiest crossing we have done by far 🙂 Once we were over the river, the tar started….and it may not stop till we…
Today was really, really hot! It was 38 deg inside the van this afternoon with all windows and roof hatches open. I’m starting to find the heat oppressive again – I expect the humidity is rising. This morning we actually set our alarms and headed back out to Bindoola Falls for brekky. It was a lovely sunrise looking out from my spot in bed… Karen rode 15 or so km towards the ‘falls’ and we picked her up along the…
This morning we headed out earlyish to try to beat the heat of the day. Karen and Kieran rode the 4.5km from our river camp to the station and we drove (surprise, surprise). We decided on a relatively short hike to the Mt Baldy lookout with views of the Cockburn Ranges. We didn’t count on getting lost along the way! We corrected our path by walking directly up the side of the hill with the accompanying spinifex spiking of our legs along the way. Once we…
We’ve become accustomed to staying at a location for around 3 nights. Today was pack up day and it isn’t very exciting anymore. At least we are heading somewhere new to make it a bit more interesting. We first headed across the Durack River. The level is really quite low now so it wasn’t stressful at all. I put the drone up and tried to put it in follow me mode but only succeeded in turning it off when I wanted it on and…
We are adjusting to the slowing of pace and life is particularly pleasant. This morning after another relaxed start we all piled into the Scott’s car and headed to the Durack River about 20km away with a picnic lunch. We were keen to see the river crossing here as it has been very high since the rain a few weeks ago and travellers we have spoken to have all said it was the most challenging crossing. Thankfully it has dropped quite a lot…
This morning was cold and windy. We didn’t hurry getting out and about and had a relaxed cooked brekky. Karen and Kieran took us to the sandy gorge they rode to yesterday (by car this time as the track was really sandy and I fall off bikes…). While we were there Karen set to finding the slow leak in their hiking air mattress so she can attempt a fix. Once she’d identified it she paddled across the river on the…
Today was a 140km hop back to the Gibb and then head east to Ellenbrae Station for 3 nights. The road was really corrugated and we found the contents of one of our cupboards all over the floor when we arrived – including the camp oven. On the way, we stopped off at some more aboriginal art. This art did seem to have been touched up recently. Apparently only descendants from the same tribe are able to touch up existing rock art. Ellenbrae…
We feel like we’ve had an actual weekend! Karen and Kieran exercised early while Bob and I caught up on the news of the world and did crosswords. Karen has given me some of her shots from her walk. I really love the rope one. After a relaxing morning, the Scott’s headed back to the river to kayak. Kieran decided to not only ride his bike, but to carry the 19kg double kayak on his back as well….. Bob and…
A leisurely get up (730) and a leisurely breakfast this morning. So decadent 🙂 . The boys set about checking torque on wheels and other boring (but necessary) stuff. Today is 12 weeks since we said goodbye to our nearest and dearest, and what a simply amazing 12 weeks it has been. Almost all of it done with a smile on our faces (except the week where I was dragging my bottom lip with no sunshine, no exploring, no battery charging and a broken…