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Cape Range National Park
At last Dad catches something to talk about... We did stay a bit longer at Ningaloo…two weeks in total. Snorkeling continued to be a highlight, including my first experience swimming with a reef shark. Well once I spotted the shark everyone swam towards it for a closer look. I, on the other hand, headed straight back to shore. Jojo loved the sharks and during Happy Hour reported on his close encounter with “such a friendly shark, he won’t hurt you as he has tiny tiny teeth. I love him.” In honour of Mother’s Day, I spent a day with “The Ladies” at The Novotel, Exmouth. We had a beautiful lunch, were photographed for promotional material, had a swim (after "borrowing" towels from the gym) and made the most of the outdoor shower. Then it was back to the Lakeside campground, drop toilet and all. We had a beautiful Shabbat meal with friends, including two home made Challahs that I baked in the Weber. They were demolished while they were still warm, by nine kids and six adults. There were more fishing adventures, hikes along dry gorges, sleep overs at Matt and Judy’s and new friends each happy hour. Thanks to Margaret and
Cape Range National Park
We would like to announce the arrival of Jojo and Claire's twins... Greg, the camp hosts, for creating such a brilliant atmosphere! We thought things couldn’t get any better until our new neighbours rocked up…Lorraine and John Macarthur. Lorraine is an award winning felt designer and John played in the first Hawthorn Premiership side in 1961. On our last night at Ningaloo he exhibited his years of experience at footy sausage sizzles by manning the barbecue for our farewell dinner. I managed to find some lone Israelis snorkeling at another site, who I invited back for the shin dig.
The next day dawned with a 700 km drive inland to Tom Price (mining town) and then the red dust of Karijini National Park. (I am still trying to get the red dust out of our clothes, caravan, car, Adam’s beard…) We had to upgrade our treats and crack open the Starburst Variety Pack as well as strawberry bubbilicious …and we made it! We set up at the Dale Gorge campground as the local dingoes surveyed our setup. Jojo had to be reminded that they were not cute little doggies and he was not to cuddle them. Sam, on the other hand needed no reminding and jumped into the
Karinjini National Park
Fern Pool waterfalls... caravan, with superhuman effort, each time one walked within ten metres of the caravan. We spent four days exploring gorges that were unique, spectacular, slippery and filled with the voices of very happy children. We met up again with Chris and Wendy and their girls (we had met at Happy Hour at Ningaloo) and met Sal, John and their daughter Sarah for the first time. The kids ran ahead and Jojo and Adam usually followed at the rear. A lovely Perth couple lent us their inflatable rings so that Joe could continue into the deeper part of the gorges. Joe did each hike and must have walked more than 10 km in a few days. Some of these were class 5 walks which are the level before you need an abseiling qualification. You are all probably proud of Jojo but I am actually proud of me! Swimming in the icy cold pools in the gorges produced some interesting sound affects as did the Tarzan Rope that Adam and Max couldn’t resist. The nights back at camp were the chilliest we’ve had, but that didn’t stop us from a bit of late night coffee and tea and a catch up with
80 Mile Beach
What can I say...just beautiful... Lynn, Simon and kids and The Devines before we left the next day.
We traveled to an overnight camping spot at Camp Kenerdin with three other families and met the Ranger. He had a large knife in a sheath on his thigh, a beer in one hand a ciggie in the other. As we were finishing dinner he rolled up and we approached him to pay our fees. We soon realised he was on the phone as he bellowed into the Sat phone: “Listen Mate, you need to calm down. Now…You are going to have to go and have a look. You need to tell me how dilated she is” It was at this point we wondered which species he was referring too. We were not in the dark for long: “You are going to have to take her knickers off and have a look”. While he was giving this medical advice, his car started to roll forward and he managed to jump in, put the handbrake on and give birthing advice all at the same time. Soon after he demanded to speak to the wife and shouted “Can you tell your bloody husband to just
Cape Range National Park
Kids played on the beach every night until it was dark... calm down!” He continued discussing her contractions, birthing positions, and dilations for more than 25 min. While he forgot to collect our money that night, we heard from him the next morning and she still hadn’t had the TWINS, but had made it to Port Hedland, even though she had to drive the last 50 km because her hubby was too busy vomiting the entire way.
Our journey to eighty mile beach with The Webbs and The Serisers was less eventful and we stopped there for a few nights. Soon after, John and Sal arrived and we all had a ball together. There was some exciting fishing in stormy conditions. Max, Sam, John and Ads caught Blue Fin Salmon, Chris caught a giant Threadfin Salmon (9 kilos) and then Adam and John caught three black tipped reef sharks. Ray was waiting for us at the fish cleaning table and proceeded to fillet our catch in a matter of minutes in exchange for a small donation to the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service. He has raised $3000.00 so far. As you can imagine we had a huge fish feed that night and the kids watched an outdoor movie
with popcorn as we fare- welled our fellow travelers who were leaving the next day. Max and Sam buddied up with two boys from Kalgoolie and loved playing footy and being with some other testosterone charged fellas for an afternoon. We have just arrived in Broome and have set up camp with three other families. Eleven kids play constantly and we find them up trees, under caravans or in the pool playing Marco Polo. While we haven’t really explored the ins and outs of this sprawling tourist Mecca, we look forward to venturing out of the park and engaging in “restaurant reconnaissance” in preparation for Nanny Reeta and Papa Ami’s arrival.
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shellie jelinek
non-member comment
unreal!!
your trip continues to entertain us all!!! It truly looks amazing and your descriptions allow me into your world for a minute or two. The photos are also fantastic! the kornies 5 will no doubt find 'real life' a challange upon returning to it!