Hi again,
Our extended stay in Broome didn't disappoint. The sunset lugger sailing on the Indian ocean was fantastic. Turquoise blue water and sun shining all catered for by our crew. The afternoon sailing took in whale watching. Our skipper followed a mother and her calf where we watched them swim and frolic metres from our boat. We even saw a big turtle poke its head out of the water. Then as we sailed back into shore with the backdrop of the sunset the full moon made its appearance. The moonlight across the water gave us a preview of the staircase to the moon. What an amazing sight. Sunset and moon rising.
The following evening we headed to the Mangrove pub with Pip & Steve to see what all the locals said was a must do. To the resonant sound of the didgeridoo the moon started to make its way upwards. Last night we saw the staircase in monocolor tonight the beam of the moon shone in color. The reds and golds made its path over the mudflats towards the moon. Taking on the appearance of a staircase. So pleased we stayed the extra time. For our final evening at Broome we headed to Point Gantheaume. A last game of bocce in the sand with Pip and Steve as we waited for the sun to set. Once it had set our thoughts turned to dinner. Prawns wrapped in prosciutto cooked in garlic all cooked by Steve on the beach and washed down with a nice glass of red. Happy memories of Broome.
As we started to make our way down the coast southward bound accommodation started to pose a problem so some of our planned stops were abandoned. So many people travelling resulting in now having to book ahead. Something O & I have not done much of as we prefer to take pot luck. If we like the look of a place we then proceed to find somewhere to stay.
Plan B was to drive on to Tom Price. The mining town of Rio Tinto. Not for the mining but Karijini national park. Everyone had told us the gorges and national park were amazing. Hamersley gorge was our first stop. 76kms away 50 of it on a red dirt road but not to be missed. Amazing. Climbing down then up along the water's edge saw the demise of my camera. Slipping out of my pocket into a small pool of water below. Retrieving it again taking another 3 photos before it died completely. It's true what they say - water and cameras don't mix. Never mind could have been worse.
These gorges are huge with massive drops to the water below. The red rocks with the sun shining on them and the crystal clear water below. Back to Tom Price to buy a new camera and wash away some of that red dust that we collected on our drive.
A full day trip to Dales gorge and the surrounding gorges the next day covered what we had come to see at Tom Price. They did not disappoint either. Huge gorges beautiful swimming pools and a class 5 climb and walk along rock faces and through crisp water was our afternoons excursion. Back into Tom Price at 6pm after a long and exhilarating day.
A visit to Rio Tinto's mine the following morning before a quiet afternion.
That is apart from a 30km ride. Fantastic riding outward bound taking in the sights of the ragged edges of mountain range. We could have ridden for miles only we had to ride back into a strong head wind. And was that hard going (and yes Malcolm the wind is your friend but by the end I was well and truly over it).
On the move again this time on to Exmouth and Coral Bay to take in some snorkelling and swimming at Ningaloo reef. A drive of 650 kms of grey bitumen surrounded by red rocky dirt covered with low growing scrubs and mountain ranges covered with spinifex. Nothing else but the odd car and caravan and a few roadhouses. We drove for hours with little change to the outlook. As I take the wheel to break the monotony I have to keep a sharp eye on the stray cattle, the odd emu and of course the crows and eagles which are dining out on road kill. The eagles are amazing creatures. Big and slow on takeoff. But once in full flight their wing span is impressive.
Hope this email finds you all well. Missing our kids and friends back home but this experience will be with us always. Lots of love to you all.
Elisa and Owen Bentley
10 Hotham Close
Cowes Vic 3922
T: 0359521256
M: 0418354197
F: 0359521256
Fortius Quo Fidelius
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