Well it seems I’m back to starting my blogs with the weather report. We’re in sunny Broome and it’s PISSING down – seriously.
I last left you in Denham and 35 degrees. From there we moseyed over to Wooramel Station and shady camping by the (dry) river bed. Wooramel is known for its natural hot tubs full of good stuff (allegedly). Call me a sook if you will, but the idea of sitting in hot tub of bore water in 36 degrees just didn’t appeal.
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| Wooramel Station |
The sign on the rustic ablutions indicated that there was hot water available from 4 pm-8pm. Deciding I didn’t need a hot shower, I went over at 3.30pm and am extremely lucky that I didn’t sustain 3rd degrees burns, the water was SCALDING. Can’t imagine what it would be like if they turned the hot water on…
As our priority was for shade, we decided to head straight to Point Samson – almost 500kms away. Of course that was the day that the aircon packed in – and it was 36 degrees.
A cold beer and a swim was a life saver.
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| Camping at Point Samson |
From there, it was 2 days at 80 mile beach, a lovely campsite and a great beach for low-tide walking. Early one evening a couple pulled just by us and starting to unpack. The guy came over to ask if we were happy for him to park his car in a certain place, and would you believe it - they were old friends of Lawrence’s from NZ. We had a great catch up and will hopefully see them in Broome, if not then next year in Margaret River. On the other side was someone who recognised Lawrence from his Cheers tours in Margs. Small, small world.
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| 80 mile beach |
Onto Barn Hill station and that lovely beach. This is a great spot about 150km south of Broome. You can even get a good pizza.
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| Barn Hill Station |
Our first day in Broome was spent shopping. Replacing the terrible (and expensive) outdoor gas cooktop with a smaller, simpler version. Replacing the inline water filter that Lawrence left in Pt Samson and various other things that have broken down or no longer fit for purpose. After spending a King's ransom on Boris before we left, we can't believe how tmuch there is still is to replace.
Our first night in Broome was spent listening to Steve Pigram, eating great food, drinking good wine at the Golf Club with my old friend Sandie, complete with the best views in town.
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| Sunset from the Broome Golf Club |
Saturday morning was spent at the Urgent Care Clinic to get 6 stitches in Lawrence’s big toe after the bread knife fell off the bench and onto his toe. Ouch.
Sunday was the obligatory lunch at The Mangrove, still my fave place in Broome, despite the cloud cover.
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| Lunch at The Mangrove with my friend of 50 years! |
So Monday morning sees us awake at 3.30 with water dripping on us from the skylight – oh dear another leak. As Boris was booked in to have the aircon fixed, we asked the guys to silicon the 3 roof lights and we’ll pray that it can withstand Kimberely rain.
Update: It's now several days later and no, the bloody thing leaked again so more silicone was rapidly applied to the inside. Much cursing ensued and we hit the brandy. I hadn't posted this blog coz the signal wasn't strong enough and it was too wet to put out the Starlink. We had 120mls of rain.
We're now at a Station called Larrawa and Starlink is working well. Thank goodness as Lawrence left his phone at a rest stop and we used Starlink and 'Find My Phone' to track it down in Fitzroy. Luckily a lovely South Australian couple had picked it up and delivered to us in Fitzroy Crossing. God bless the kindness of strangers.
Next stop is Kununurra. We've decided to skip Purnululu as the rain has made road worse and it just seems like too much effort. UPDATE - road is CLOSED. HEY HO.
