Day 349 – Spot the difference?

• Kununurra – King River
• 559kms
• 33°c

On the road again, I had another turn behind the wheel and we clocked up a heap of km's again. Steve had commented that he thought he could hear a noise and we couldn't work out where it was coming from. As we pulled into Katherine, Steve decided to pull over to check the tyres and as we turned a corner I could see out the window that something was missing!...

It seemed somewhere along the way we had contributed to the rubber tyre snakes that have been a common sighting since we started this adventure. In record time Steve had the old one off and replaced with the spare and we were on our way. 

King River Rest Area, $0 free camp, toilets

Day 348 – A day on the road

• Fitzroy Crossing – Kununurra
• 638kms
• 33°c

We came across an odd character walking the highway in what appeared to be ladies red bikini bottoms and nothing else? Maybe filming of The Hangover 3 is taking place? We also spotted a giant eagle that stood as tall as a small child! It was huge.

We made some of the most yummy vegan anzac cookies, like a cookie and a muesli bar rolled into one.

Kununurra Showground, $35 a night, power, water, big sites

Day 347 – Heading East

• Broome – Fitzroy Crossing
• 394kms
• 31°c

We said goodbye to Broome and headed back east and that's when it hit me that we were heading back, albeit still a good six weeks away. For so long we had no end date or destination, but now we do and it's slowly setting in.

Once again there was roadside fires and lots of smoke but thankfully it didn't look out of control like the other day.

Fitzroy River Lodge, $48 a night, power, water, large sites, pool, amenities

Day 346 - Staircase to the moon

• Broome
• 31°c

Gantheaume Point was our first stop of the day and we were in search of dinosaur footprints!

They are only visible during certain tides and they are unmarked as not to attract seekers to what can be a dangerous coastal area.  We think we saw some? and that means there were some really giant dinosaurs roaming around Broome millions of years ago!

As we were walking out to the Point we could see people pointing out to sea and we were lucky enough to once again witness whales frolicking and breaching.

The day was starting to warm up so it was back to the van for lunch and a dip in the pool for all of us!

The main event of the day was The Staircase to the Moon, we were told the Mangrove Hotel was an excellent place to view it but it was fully booked so we had a drink and then headed down to Town Beach.

The car park was starting to fill and people kept arriving. Ella and Oscar explored the beach before finding many hermit crabs and so decided to build a Hermit crab farm. We had been sitting on the southern side but as we were watching the direction the sun was setting in we decided we would get a better view from the small piece of coast sticking out like a pier.

The sun set and would could see just a sliver of the moon starting to appear on the horizon. The crowd was almost silent as it began to rise into the sky and cast it's staircase across the mudflats. What a truly spectacular event of nature we were so fortunate to witness.

Day 345 – Camels

• Broome
• 34°c

First stop today was the Broome Historical Society to check out some history and some really cool artefacts.

Ella & Oscar love the old divers suit, reminded them of something out of Scooby Doo!

I loved the old telephone switchboards and vintage house decor, very cool. The museum also has a shell collection that was good, but Ella commented "If this is in a museum, they should see Mama Peggys house!"

We took a drive down onto Cable Beach, no camels at that time of day but there were a few nudists sunning themselves, Steve & couldn't help but giggle when Ella & Occy saw the nude baskers and couldn't believe people would do that! Count was 5 men, 1 lady.

Our camel tour was at 3:15 so we headed down the beach about 3pm and were delighted to see the camels making their way down the road and up the beach.

We chose the Broom Camel Safaris as the lady that owns and operates it has a farm out the back where she cares for over 30 camels and they currently have a baby camel born only weeks ago. She treats them like pets and really loves them, her story is very interesting. There are estimated to be at least half a million wild camels in Australia and yet I still haven't seen one in the wild!

We were introduced to Abbasim and were able to pat him, he is one of their most gentle camels and the one that loves the attention.

For todays adventure Isaac was taking Steve & Oscar and Boaz was taking Ella & I. The guide told us that Boaz was their most recent adoptee and is only 10 weeks from the wild, so I think I can take that as my wild camel!

We were seated on our camels and told to lean back and hang on as they stood up! Occy was a little concerned especially as he was seated at the back on their camel but after a minute he was fine. Boaz kept nudging and blurting on him, must be because he knew Oscar was nervous, the whole ride he constantly walked with his head next to Oscars leg rather then behind Isaac like all the other camels did. Ella and I were a little concerned at one stage where Boaz was so busy walking sideways to see Oscar that we thought he was going to trip over himself.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience, camels are such beautiful, gentle and intuitive creatures. Ella & Oscar asked if we find one in the wild can we keep it? Only if you can get it in the caravan!

I tried a new pastry for some pizza rolls and they were soooo good, only problem was I didn't make enough.

Day 344 – Girls in town

• Broome
• 35°c

Steve's sciatica was still giving him a hard time as was his shoulder, so I applied a pultice to his shoulder and it gave him some relief.

Ella & I left the boys at the van to chill out whilst we headed into the city centre; Chinatown. It's a small  city with lots of interesting things to look at, a favourite was the old outdoor picture theatre.

After walking all over town, I was ready to head back to the van, Ella however would've been happy to keep shopping for the rest of the day. So back to the van and with the boys we went on to the pool.

Day 343 – Out and about in Broome

• Broome
• 34°c

Sunday is market day in Broome! We ventured out to the Courthouse Market in the town centre and had a leisurely wander although Steves back was sore so it was only a short visit. I picked up some delicious locally made Dukha and Ella & Oscar got an iced chocolate, for $15 I thought they would have to be amazing but the response was disappointing.

We took a drive down to Gantheaume Point and onto the beach, the sand was super soft and the water was crystal clear.

Back at the van we covered up Occys hands & knee and headed to the pool for  a dip, Ella being the amazing big sister she is, chose to wear a glove as Oscar was feeling very self conscious. The pool was soo refreshing and Oscar was fine about his hands once he got in the water.

Steve thought a walk along Cable Beach might be nice and maybe even good for his back? Alas it wasn’t good for his back so we had a short walk and returned home to rest.

Ella had called a family game night and her choice was Cluedo, we have the small travel version which is ok, but we now have a new Vintage store hunt on our hands.