Daily Archives: July 7, 2019

“Adventure before Dementia”

I already had a Gibb River road post scheduled, which has just posted. But as I took so much time getting this one together, having forgotten the other one I’m posting anyway. Those who know me understand!!

Pentecost River

Today was the day, Gibb River Road here we come.

Everything was going okay, we broke camp and Trevor went to get his air-conditioning in his car seen to, it had stopped working and it is far too hot to push on without it. Jock and I went to get coffee for the road and Mick and Joy were off doing what they were doing. We all met just out of town and made our way towards Gibb River Road, this is it, this is what we came for.

The scenery on the way was spectacular, so many photos taken and so many photos missed but if we had stopped for every one we would never get anywhere. We all still felt very secure on the bitumen, this is great……..

BANG, RUMBLE, SHAKE, RATTLE, RATTLE AND MORE RATTLE WITH A LOT OF DUST THROWN IN……..Hello Gibb River Road! OMG the rocks were so sharp, the dust EVERYWHERE. 10 minutes in and Mick gets a flat tyre. Oh what fun, ha ha. Actually the road was not quite as bad as I had expected (yet) I don’t know what I expected but already it was fun. Yep I reckon I’m gonna enjoy this adventure.

As we turned into what was to be our free camp for the night Michelle messaged back and said, “do not come up this track, stay where you are”. They had followed the Wiki camps directions and were stuck tight up the track. They had a job to turn around and by then Mick and Joy had decided the best spot was right next to the river, not the recommended 10 mtrs from the river but right next to it!!! My anxiety and panic got the better of me, all I could think about was bloody crocodiles. Go on have a laugh, its the pom in me, camping yes no problems, by Crocs, no bloody way. I made Jock park our van a way back from the bank and kept the dogs inside. Mind you, that was once Jock got us parked up!!! I reckon he had a brain fart when we pulled up, he got out the car which at this time was still on the track, took one look at the river and grabbed his fishing rod and went fishing!!! Keeping in mind, I was in the car with the dogs, engine running, sitting on the track. WTF? He really could not see what the problem was. Reckon all those rocks and dust had addled his brain.

Once set up everyone came to us for the evening fire, I definitely was not going anywhere near that river, especially in the dark. We chatted about our plans for the next day. The original plan was to free camp then in the morning go back to El Questro which we passed on our way. But someone in our group said they would not be backtracking. I was disappointed as I really wanted to see as much as we could on this road. As it was Emma Gorge was also back the way a bit and I was definitely going there. Michelle and Trevor had to return to Kununura to have their air conditioning fixed and would spend the night there. Emma and Ruby would stay with us so we decided Emma Gorge for the morning.

Pentecost River stop

Here we are, we have started along the famous Gibb River Road and boy did we start with a bumpy road. It was big grey crushed rock with some very big sharp ones thrown in and lots of corrugation. Mick found the sharpest rock! we all turned around to help him with his tyre change. 10 minutes in and a flat tyre already, what the hell have we come to? We have radios for communication in the vehicles which is a must here.

We eventually found our first stop by the side of the Pentecost river just next to what will be our first water crossing. A bit of a bugger to get into with a bum steer from Wiki camps, Michelle and Trevor had a hell of a job to turn around up the track just as well we stayed back. So having pulled up right next to the river Jock could not help himself, I really think he had a brain fart because he jumped out the car grabbed his rod and went to fish. Keeping in mind the caravan was not parked up/set up, the car was still running and myself and the dogs still sat in the car. He really could not see what the problem was?? I could not resist taking this photo from the car.

Both Michelle and Joys vans were right next to the river ours was a little back with me being so wary of crocodiles I really was not comfortable there. It was a very picturesque spot and we could watch the river crossings from where we were but the idea there may be crocs did not appeal to me.

As it was we stayed by the river for three nights, I did enjoy it but it was a relief to drive out sight seeing in the safety of our car. Michelle and Trevor had to head back to Kununura to get their car air conditioning fixed it is far too hot to continue without that. So the plan was Trevor and Michelle would keep camp for the day with the dogs whilst Mick, Joy, Emma, Jock and I went to explore Emma Gorge. Michelle and Trevor would either visit the gorge en route to Kununura that afternoon or the next morning on their way back.

On arrival at the Gorge we were told it was a medium walk to the gorge with a bit of climbing! Like buggery, it was a bloody cliff, boulders and a rock climb. Not recommended with replacement joints and back problems!!! You would have to be fit to get to the top of this one. Each stage was numbered, I gave up at no5 and Joy did very well to get to no11. Only Jock , Mick and Emma got to the top no12. Whilst I waited sat on a rock I saw many people return from marker no6 and say, no way! So not for the faint hearted. I have to say I really enjoyed just sitting there soaking up the scenery, that was until I started to think about the return trip. But there were heaps of birds, lovely bright red dragonflies and lots of different butterflies, reckon I had the best deal sitting there in a cool breeze.

It was a long arduous climb back, I was absolutely buggered and by now the heat was getting to me and the flies AND ANYTHING THAT BREATHED!!!!!! By the time I could see the end I was in so much pain I was almost vomiting. I sat on the first bench I found, Jock bought me an ice block, then I drank a cold coke then a coffee. Jock brought the car over to me so I could sit in the air-conditioning, what a relief! Won’t ever be doing that again.

Jock and Emma were pleased they had got to the top and when we got back to camp showed me all their photos.

When we got back to camp Michelle and Trevor headed off back to get the car fixed. We had Emma and Ruby for the night.

After a terrible night of hardly any sleep Jock and I decided to take Emma out exploring. We headed to Home valley station to have a look see as we are contemplating a night there tomorrow. We liked it as soon as we saw it, a little oasis in the middle of whoop whoop. They even had coffee what a bonus. We sat and had a coffee and found out prices for a nights accom for us all. My phone was going mad, obviously there was a signal but only enough to allow messages in as I was unable to message out. We had been told about a hill near by where you can get a signal so we took a drive up there. So glad we did, the view was something else. Took heaps of photos but really do not think they do it justice, it had to be seen.

I got messages out to people to let them know all was well. Our drive back to camp was just as scenic, it really is lovely around here and the rock and scenery changes at every turn,

Michelle and Trevor got back not long after us and we set up a fire for the evening. We had some good laughs and told lots of stories. We all decided we would got to Home valley station the next day and enjoy some electrics and catch up on our washing.