July 17th

Back in Broome at our “secret” Caravan Park. No one around. No keys to car or van. Rod & Carmel from the trip are staying in the same place. Eventually someone turns up with keys. Phew. Meanwhile we had some excitement. The local Sea Rescue boats are parked in the shed beside us and suddenly it’s action stations. Someone has been washed off the rocks. Luckily they we e able to save them.

July 18th

Do nothing!!!! Just the washing

July 19th

Another 4.30am rise for our trip to Horizontal Falls. First a 2hr 4wD bus along a rough road to Beagle Bay to visit the Shell Church

Then a further hour drive to Cygnet bay. Wonderful spot, great breakfast and very informative tour of the pearl factory. Even better as we bought a Marbe pearl bracelet for me!!

Next our float plane flight to the Horizontal Falls

on arrival at the houseboat we met the locals – blind sharks – and their friends

it’s called Cyclone Bay as it is the best place to hide in a cyclone

Now the excitement – into Horizontal Falls. Great adrenalin rush

 

Time me to leave and fly back to Broome over Kings Sound and the Dampier Peninsula

We then met up with Rod, Carmel, Pricess Diana and Princess Anne at 18 Degrees ( restaurant). What a hoot – trying to eat and laughing about our exploits of the last 2 weeks – last to leave.

July 20th

Spent the day buying a new caravan aerial. Ours seems to have given up. We now have a very “Heath Robinson” but very effective new aerial. Haven’t had a proper TV since mid June. Been using Foxtel Go to watch the various sports.

Then off to the Mangrove Hotel to watch the staircase to moon. This phenomenon occurs at full moon from March to Oct. The moon comes up and shines on the sea or mudflats for 3 night. Beautiful.

Said goodbye to Anne & Diana. Thanks for your company these last 2 weeks. Great fun

July 20th

Said goodbye to Rod & Carmel. Safe travels you two. See you again maybe in Kununarra

We went to the Broome Courthouse markets on Town Beach. Great market. Bought an outfit for the races tomorrow

july 22nd

Broome races. What a day. I scientifically chose a horse in each race – 6 in all. Chose the first name I liked – seemed to work 4 x 1sts and 1 x 2nd. Ollie studied the form and got a couple of 2nds and a 3rd.

July 23rd

Time to leave Broome and head to Fitzroy Crossing – I drove the first part then Ollie took over. I was a great navigator – I slept for 2 hours!!!!!

Fitzroy Crossing Lodge CP is just what we need. A large, quiet, relaxing park by the river. It has a lovely restaurant & bar so it was feet up and relax to the music. Met up with a fun couple Graham & Janet and swapped stories. Ollie got chatted up by an aboriginal lady who’d been on the “sherbets” she wanted him to go swimming – not sure whether it was the thought of the crocs or Shirley that made him decline. Great fun.

Time to relax and smell the roses.