Day 48 Beagle Bay August 20th

We had actually booked to go to Cape Leveque, but we heard such bad reports of not only the road but also the ability to get into the areas that had previously been available to visit. The local communities seem to have shut some of these areas down to the tourist and the other areas are just charging like a wounded bull for you to gain access. 

So we decided to go to the lovely Mission at Beagle Bay, well that road was the worst we had been on... much worse than the Gibb River Road, and by the end of it my arm was not a pretty sight.... but it was one of the places that we had promised ourselves to go to.

Day 47 The Crystal Buddha/Cable Beech

This Temple of the Crystal Buddha is opposite Cable Beach Resort and is a very peaceful place. The star image around the ying and yang, was actually a cage with different coloured crystals inside. The sun was in the right place at the right time for the second shot.

Alan having a Toyota "Oh, what a feeling" moment.
This is for you Sally, can you believe that I am wearing the Leeuwin shirt from our Whale Watching trip and what appears on the horizon.

Day 46 Stairway to the Moon

For the spectacular Stairway to the Moon we gathered with the masses and Stephen took these shots. I have to say it is still much better in real life but I have tried a few more effects for you.

Day 46 Sunrise in Broome

We were in Broome to see the Stairway to the Moon when Stephen decided to do a sunrise on the same day and the same spot that we intended to be in the evening....and by the number of people that were there for the dawn, this is probably quite rare. So enjoy these two blogs... we had a great time!! 

Day 43 Gantheaume Point Broome

After leaving Mornington we got back to Fitzroy Crossing and were very pleased to see Turtle still in one piece... we were also lucky in that we were a day early in our return and discovered that Stephen had not turned off the water heater... and the gas had just run out... thank goodness the freezer and fridge were still very cold!!!!!

We moved on to Broome.. this time for an extended stay, as both of us needed to get the cars serviced.

These pictures are of Gantheaume Point, which is one of the spots that you can see the dinosaurs footprints at low tide. Very slippery so Alys and I stayed at the top and looked from there and the boys ventured down.

The old lighthouse is still in opperating and was occupied by a nesting family of White Breasted Sea Eagles. I was blessed to see one of the parents circling with a fish before coming into land , with all the scwarking of the two youngsters. 

Day 39/41 Mornington Wildlife Conservancy

Stephen at Dimond Gorge. After a 4wd drive of 24ks from the camp site you come to the largest gorge on the property. This was the area that was proposed as a dam to supply Perth's water originally in the 50's an again in the 90's. It would have flooded 1000 square k's.
This is the Mighty Fitzroy in the dry season...still having problems getting my head around the amount of water that comes through this area in the wet, the highest recorded peak is 55 metres!!!!
Some boys just never grow up!

The next day we went to the other gorge Sir John... we found yet another staggering example of mother natures forces. Huge slabs of sandstone (you can see this one just under the water). So many photo's  it's hard to choose which ones to post.

Day 39/41 Mornington Wildlife Conservancy

The first morning at Mornington,,, the voice came from my personal chef "How do you cook frozen eggs?" The other campers came around and said that's worth a photo... so here it is , that's how you cook frozen eggs!!!!!
Australian Bustard...the heaviest Australian flying bird. They have a very aloof attitude to life, but are quite fascinating to watch. On our way out (no camera at the ready) we were blessed to see four of these beauties on the road, and with a certain amount of encouragement (flashing lights and horn) they took to the air.. and flew parallel to the car,an absolutely remarkable sight. 
An almost albino Dingo..was another wild life sighting.
View across to Fitzroy Bluff from the Look out.
This is the result of the forces of nature. These pictures are good but not anything like as good as the real thing.

Day 39/41 Mornington Wildlife Conservancy

As we turned into the road, we saw what appeared to be a bird at a dead snake on the road. As we got closer the Bird above took off and the snake went into reverse.
This picture is worth blowing up (double click on it). Stephen went to jump out of the car to take a picture,while I panicked as we did not know what sort of snake it was... I got a rude reply "It's got a bloody mouth full..it can't bit me!" We believe it is an Olive Python. A remarkable welcome to Mornington, which was a further 85ks down the track.
We have broken this visit up into sections as we feel that it is a very special place doing a fabulous job, trying to restore and improve nature, all without the Government funding.

No Particular Day/for Joma & Pops

Here is a selection of photo's taken over the past four weeks that I have put together for my parents...anyone can enjoy though...I have to admit that Stephen is getting really good at this photography lark!!

Day 37/38 Silent Grove (Bells Gorge)

This is the Great Bower Bird, yes I am really getting into this twitching. Fascinating creature that does a dance that looks like it comes out of Jurasic Park...then the Lilac/Purple mantle comes out around his neck as he tries to attract the ladies...what you men must do... I don't know!!
Sunrise at the back of the camp...Stephen is an early riser! Not necessarily for the photo more for the call of nature.....
Bells Gorge another picturesque location and a delightful spot for a swim. Both the boys followed the high road and took advantage of a beautiful pool.
Yet another of Stephen's wildlife photos!!!!! (Captured at the edge of the pool).
Mean while us girls had a a very cool soak/spa in the top pool. Best massage for my arm in a long time and it did reduce the inflamation a fair bit!

Day 36 Windjana Gorge

Windjana Gorge is a surprisingly easy walk into a crocs delight! The boys spotted 30 crocs in one pool ! Absolutely beautiful in both morning and afternoon light. The rock formations have again changed with the difference between Tunnel Creek being the Devonian Reef only 30 k's away but so different in colour and size.

As you can see Stephen still has a fascination with the wild life....

Day 35 August 5th Tunnel Creek

Tunnel Creek, made famous by the aboriginal outlaw Jagamarra, who used this Creek bed as a hide out after exchanging fire with the local police/station managers at Windjana which was originally a cattle outpost. Quite difficult to get into, and headlights/torches essential. The bats fly, the crocs red eyes watch you and the air is cool...then there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Still fascinated as to how this would all look when the water is rushing through!!

Day 30 August 3rd

This is a lovely spot, just outside of Fitzroy Crossing, we all went for an early morning boat trip, (8am but the best time with the light and the temp) on the Geikie Gorge. The light was really good and the scenery very changeable. After the different types of rocks at the Bungle Bungles and El Questro, this was different again with a Devonian reef making the cliffs almost white!

Day 27 July 31st Lake Argyle

While we were back in Kununurra regrouping Stephen & I decided that we would visit the top  of the Dam having seen the scenery from the bottom on our river cruise. 
This shot shows where we were in the boat.
Stephen dropped me off at the look out point and drove over the dam, considering the size of the dam it was amazing amount of water in the Lake.
We actually missed out on seeing the Durack Homestead, but we did check out the Caravan Park and have promised ourselves that we will do a stop here on the second part of our journey when we pass this way again.