Lake Argyle. English.

After we finished our trip through Kakadu, we went to a Big4 caravan park just outside of Darwin at Howard Springs with all the facilities and a lot of quite ness because it is situated about 7 kilometers away from the Hwy to Darwin.

In the afternoon we did some shopping and made the appointments for the service of the car and caravan, the car is already 300 kilometer over and the van got to be done around the 8500 and we just reached that today.

In the evening we got a text from Betty, the sister from David Moore that her brother Jim should be at the same park as us with a Winnabago and a blue small car behind it. So we got the torch out and went for a stroll in the dark would you believe it he was only three parking spaces away from us. You will understand that we knock on his door and before we knew it, it was late again.

Next morning I went out to look for a car mechanic to do the service to keep the warranty on the car. I was in luck because at 12, 30 he had some time to do it and even dough there was nothing wrong with the car I got him to replace the drive belt, because they dry out very fast here in the heat. And I don’t want any problems here in the outback.

The next day, Saturday, all the traveling Moore’s where at 10.00 o’clock at our place for a coffee but before we knew it, it was lunch time and by 17.00 hrs. we had to say good bye to the lovely bunch.

Sunday we took it easy and I covered the first gold stipe on the van with a new layer of red paint to brighten the van up. In the evening we went just like Thursday to the Mindil Markets in Darwin where ate all little small foods from different stalls, this Market really remind me of the hippie markets in Sydney in the old days. Lovely to be but we got to move on.

Monday we went without the van to Litchfield Park to do a couple of long walks to visit different waterfalls, from one I have to tell you the complete story.

This one is named “Cascade Falls”, and we could choose from an easy short walk or a bit more difficult and longer one where you end up on the top of the Cascade. After all we did in Kakadu we don’t scare easy anymore us we decided to do the long walk up and the easy short walk back; loaded with plenty of water we started the trip. The long way took us up the mountain for a long and hot three kilometers walk through ruff bush country with lots of rocks and high grass and we reached the waterfall after about 45 minutes which by the way is still flowing even after six months without rain in the middle of the current dry period. Lovely to be here, and to see this remote pristine wilderness.

After a short break along the river with nice cool running water we wanted to move on to

The easy part of the walk via the lower Cascade, but there was not a sign in sight to find the right track at all. So we crossed the river into the shade of the trees where Els waited while I climbed the next mountain to find out if the trail or path could be there somewhere. After a while Els called me back. When she was taking a photo she noticed a sign in the bush across the river with a arrow to the lower Cascade. We had to climb over rocks and wade through the river to get there to find out that most of the yellow/orange arrows where in the riverbed and either got washed away or became very vague to see. It took us an hour to climb down and then all the direction was gone. Luckily some people came climbing up from the lower fall over the supposed easy path. They told us it was a heavy walk and it took them more time effort than expected. Els didn’t want to go the same way back so we carried on. We had to climb down over pointy rocks, slippery wet green rocks, small edges and some deep steps down but after a good half an hour we got to the easy path and back on the promised track to find us in the middle of a unsuspected part of a rainforest with other difficulties. Like big tree stomps and steep climbs but we loved it anyway. Shortly after that we got on the path back to the carpark and got back into the car about an hour. Tiered, we looked back on a wonderful walk and a nice experience with a lot of adventure, nice memories, and beautiful photos from a part of pristine wilderness.

Tuesday, we got a big shock, when the caravan service guy took of the left wheel to check the brakes and wheel bearing, the steel was sticking right through the profile, which was still plentiful. No worry, I got a never used spare so got that of and when it got into the sun I saw cracks in the rubber everywhere. When we checked the date, the tyre was from 1983, older then the van. In the end I just put all the wheels in the Ute and went to look for 3 new tyres. I found them over at K-mart, Goodyear truck tyres which they promised to have ready within two hours for me. When I got back to the campsite the mechanic put them back on the van for me. I think we got saved from a big problem with our van further on on the road.

Even dough that we got a big dent in our budget we went to Bunnings to buy some battery operated Led lights for in the van so we will have lights inside even when the power fails like a couple of night ago.

Of course we did a lot in the days after this, we met people, done things, experienced a lot but we can’t write everything on this blog so I do just a short resume.

Wednesday 12-8.

To Katherine, where we have the choice of roads to take and we have to decide where we want to go from here. So, back for the third time to the Big4 there in four years’ time, must like it somehow. Found out that Jos and Laz got to Katherine too just on another campsite in town. We joined them for a lovely dinner and a drink that evening. Here our road will part but I am sure we will meet up again.

Thursday 13-8.

Went to the Edith Falls to do the 2 hours walk over the falls and end up at the bottom lake to do a swim in the waterhole. We know that it inhibits fresh water crocs but it is save. Our condition must get better with the days passing because it went (very) “easy”, this time

Friday 14-8.

After a long, long, night of good sleep, (tiredness????) Els went to the camp hairdresser and I did some jobs on the van in the meantime. In the afternoon Els did the laundry while I painted another panel on the van in grey.

Saturday 15-8.

Just a travel day on our way to Timber Creek as stop before we get to Lake Argyle as destination.

We got a big surprise; it was just a basic campsite with basic amenities but very cheap compared to other roadhouse camps on the Hwy, with a little creek at the end of their plot with fresh water crocs in it. Just for the guest they feed them at 17.00 hrs. so we can take photos. They also and a swing bridge over the creek which take you into the bush and in the trees just there you find more then couple of hundred bats hanging and screaming. Also a lot of different birds in the trees and on the lawns

I even had some time to paint another panel of the van. Slowly it is getting there.

Sunday 16-8.

Jet another travel day and pretty early in the afternoon we got to our beloved “Lake Argyle”.

They gave us a nice shady site overlooking the lake and the surrounding mountains. When we entered we got welcomed by people we seen on the road before and they recognized the different colored striping of the van. The lake is 18 till 19 times bigger than the Sydney harbor and is completely filled with fresh water.

We booked here for a week to do walk and see things and hopefully a lot of birds.

Monday 17-8.

Just before brekkie and the high temps (it is going into the 35 till 40) I gave the top edge of the van a little paint at the entrance side from gold to grey. Wanted to do it yesterday but it got dark to soon because of the 90 minutes time change.

It gets dark fast but it is a lot sooner light in the morning to.

Much to my surprise, Els is talking about a change in our itinerary and to move on towards Broome instead of Alice from here.

Tuesday 18-8.

Started early this morning, with removing all the unnecessary silicon from the top panel of the van, and painted that part as well light grey, to match up with my hair.

By lunchtime we had to get ready because we are doing an afternoon sunset cruise at Lake Argyle. At the end we have a swim in the lake while the sun sets and you drinking a beer or wine floating in the water. In the end I went alone in the water and Els stayed on board, she recons the water was to cold (23) and the air temp was almost 30, but I think it was the idea that the lake has about 30.000 crocs.

The mountains where the lake is formed are about 800 million years old and have no fossils in them because life as we know it started about 500 million years ago. Like a said before the lake is 18 till 19 bigger then Sydney harbor and filled with fresh water which supply the region with water whole year trough. It has a hydro power plant and produces enough power for all the towns and mines around here. By doing so they save on diesel they used to need about a million liter a week to supply power. Talking about sustainable energy!

The lake in the dry season, evaporate about 2 cm a day.

Wednesday 19-8.

We drove to Kununurra (75 k up and 75 k down) just to have internet in the shopping mall, because we don’t have any reception at Lake Argyle. So we can look at our plans and see what we can to do and have book.

After about three hours we have two options to choose from.

A) We pick up a 4wdr at Kununurra to do the Gibb River Road from there, yes Els wants to do the GRR. To do so we have to buy stuff and bring some of our things from the van over as well. We can’t get a complete insurance and only have 1000 kilometer’s free.

B) We move on to Broome (instead of Alice) get a 4wdr camper whit a tent on the rooftop and we only have to bring our pillows and sleeping bags. Everything is insured; even the windscreen and two tyres and all km are included. Cost a bit more but gives a lot of assurances, and the whole trip might take up to 2000 till 2200 km and from that about 900 over heavy dirt roads.

In the end we went for the 4wdr camper from Wicked at Broome (option B) and we will leave Broom on the 1th of September for 10 days for this ultimo challenge and new experience to do together.

This means also we want have any reception in that time, say till 11 of September, and we want be able to put anything on our blog till after that date.

From one of our camping neighbors we got an extra jerry can for diesel he has no need for anymore because he just finished the GRR, we have plenty of water, so don’t worry about us please.

Thursday 20-8

Today we traveled all along the dam and the Ord River for as far as we could. We took a lot of pictures again from the dam but also from the abounded birdlife which you find here as well.

In the evening we had dinner together with our neighbors from behind us and afterwards we joined the neighbors next to us at the campfire to exchange travel experiences under a ski full of stars and balmy evening with 25 degrees.

Friday 21-8.

Early up to watch the fantastic sunrise here over the mountains and after brekkie we did three walks. One was 2 km long up on the mountain just to see the gorge of the Ord River. While I am writing this it is only 12.00 o’clock but it feels like late in the afternoon. It is slowly becoming warmer as well as the buildup is starting according the locales and they expect it to go into the 40 degrees.

Saturday 22-8.

Up to Kununurra, to get the last things done for the trip on the Gibb, and to put this on our blog as well. Besides that we have a coffee date with a couple we met before and got to Kununurra now.

Sunday 23-08.

Travel day towards Broome, almost 1000km from here where a big adventure is waiting for us. Maybe we move on to Wyndham first, in an attempt to find the Gouldian finches which we haven’t seen yet up till now in this area.

Well you lovely people, dear followers, this was it for now and it became a lot longer story than I had planned but don’t forget we see, do and experience a lot together and there is so much to tell to you.

See you all again somewhere in the second half of September.