Once again – where do I start?
How about I’m having a margarita by the Patrick River while watching the sunset. I’m celebrating having crossed a muddy creek when other more experienced 4wders got stuck. THIS IS SO EXCITING!
Mind you, I had to get winched across the next crossing, but so did every other person so that made it just as much fun.
Well, every other person except one. Big shout out to the boys who thought to install portals on their Cruiser so were the only ones with enough clearance to get across. Especially after our lead car got stuck a couple of times and had to be winched backwards making the ruts deeper. So we all cleared space for the boys with portals to come up front and go across so he could winch everybody else from the other side. Well, until somebody found an easier crossing that is and those who hadn’t done it yet took off for the chicken track.
If you don’t know what portals are, check it out here
And while we’re at it, a big shout out to my ex. Honestly, if he hadn’t dumped me I’d probably still be sitting at home waiting for him to be ready for all the adventures he promised. Instead, I’m out here having them. And loving it.
An important thing to do after the driving we do each day is check out whether you’ve done any damage do your car.
That’s my responsibility. And it’s a big one. I’ve been told “You know what you’re looking at. I trust you.”
Reader – I don’t know what I’m looking at.
So far we’ve had four days of driving. Tough driving every day.
Among the group there’s been one broken leaf spring, one hub which wouldn’t lock, one broken fuel line, one brake line, and one crack in a petrol tank. And three tyres damaged in some way. I just hope my checks are good enough and I haven’t missed anything wrong on our car.
The camaraderie when something does go wrong is great. Those that can do things get together, get out their tools, and get on with the job of fixing it. None of this standing around just talking about what it could be, like I’ve experienced when I’ve had trouble outback before.
Between them they have every tool you could possibly need. And most of the spare parts, though not a new leaf spring. I mentioned to one of them that I used to get in trouble for not carrying enough tools or spare parts.
“Nah.” Was the response “The more you carry the more you need.”
Yesterday it was Ronnie with a broken leaf spring. We took off late while we were waiting for the chopper to bring in a new spring.
A couple of the blokes got on with the job of taking off the old springs, while the rest of us sat around, went for a swim or a walk and had a lovely relaxing time soaking up the atmosphere of the Kimberley. I made the most of swimming in the lagoon because there would be no swimming where we were camping that night. Definite croc country.
Once we knew the chopper was almost there, most of us took off, leaving behind Ronnie and two of the blokes who are very handy to fix the car when the chopper came in.
We hadn’t been on the road long when we came to our first proper water crossing. The water was so good we could fill up our water tanks and then have a swim. Which we did. And some lunch. It was stunningly beautiful.
Crystal clear water, water lilies and the backdrop of the Kimberley. And no crocodiles. Well, no salties. There are freshies everywhere.
We lingered.
The day’s drive wasn’t too bad. Well, not too bad compared to other days. Still lots of rocks and steps. And more rocks and more steps. Or drop offs if we happen to be going down hill. But we’re getting used to that. That’s an average day driving out here.
And once again the campsite was beautiful. The light from the setting sun set off the red Kimberley rocks. And the sunrise was even better. With the rocks reflecting orange and gold in the still, clear water of the river, making the water lilies look like they were growing in shimmering Kimberley rock.
As we couldn’t swim we decided to go for a walk up river.
We were actually looking for some art, but instead found the cascades. A series of small waterfalls through rock pools. It was just too inviting. Even though it was early, it was already quite warm, so we stopped and had a pleasant 20 minutes or so swimming in the pool before heading back to camp and taking off for the day.
Today we went into the Oombulgurri community. Or at least where the community used to be until the government shut it down and moved everybody out.
It was eerie. Made more so because the country had just been burned. But the fire hadn’t been lit by the elders and it burnt too hot through the community. Hot enough to melt part of the community building, and the ground was still warm and still smoking. There was even the crackle of burning embers in places.
Some of the buildings, like the clinic, nurses’ quarters, and rangers’ quarters were still as they were left. Ronnie’s house where he lived with his parents, siblings, and grandparents was still there. As was the school, though probably not safe enough to walk through.
You could still see where there’d been a dam to water the vegetable gardens. Though the infrastructure to pump water up from the river had been knocked over and destroyed when the government closed the community. To make sure there was no going back I guess.
The track out of Oombi goes through the airfield. So of course, boys being boys, we had to stop so they could have drag races along the airstrip. In their 4wds.
Then it was across the marshes, which is where we came to the muddy creek crossings.
Ronnie was in the lead, and after pondering for a while he took off across. He slipped a bit sideways, made it half way up the other side, gave it a bit more, and made it out. But also made some fairly deep, wet ruts.
Next was Jed, our other guide. He didn’t make it. He backed up and tried again. And didn’t make it again. He ended up winching out.
While standing on the other side, waiting our turns and watching others do it some of the blokes were discussing tactics and lines. That’s where I got the advice to use the lockers.
If you’ve been following my travels for a while you’ll know that last time we were on the Tele Track I was wishing for lockers. Well, this car has them, but I haven’t used them as yet.
Two more cars had gone through and made it out the other side, then it was my turn. To say I was nervous is an understatement.
I turned the lockers on not knowing what to expect. I’ve never driven with them before. I got into second gear, let the car roll into the crossing, then gunned it out the other side. AND I MADE IT UP!!!!
The nerves had turned to excitement. I was high-fiving and fist bumping all over the place.
Even winching out of the next crossing became fun.
So now I’m sitting here with my celebratory margarita. We’re camped in the marshland and there are birds all around in the wetlands. And there’s a big croc in the river in front of us. No swimming tonight.
