Day 34 - 13th May 2013 - Bungle Bungles Caravan Park to Mary Pool
Up at 4.15am (crazy time again!! ) But
because it was overcast today and quite a bit cooler dawn seemed to come later
and so we were actually waiting until first light before Walter could make a
start on today’s ride.
Cycling Stats: 215 kms
Cycling Average 31.5 km per hour
A day of mixed winds – cross wind, tailwind
and head wind maybe due to the seemingly change from the stable very hot days
we have been experiencing to cooler weather - we are wearing light jackets this morning.
The terrain was hilly in some sections
with some long climbs.
Di said she saw dead things – lots of
carcasses with birds feasting. Met Walter at the 30 km mark and stopped for
coffee at the 40km mark – I was certainly hanging out for coffee today – maybe
the big day yesterday in the heat doing lots of walking and combined with all
the early morning starts I felt absolutely bushed today so coffee was even more
inviting than usual.
As we were on the road early we saw lots of
birds and a very cute pair of curious white Brahman bulls – we had been told
they are very social and have a lovely nature. A pair of wallabies also stopped
right in front of us and stood and gazed at us for a while before jumping off
in a very relaxed fashion. Later a pair of white corellas looked at us from
their perch. So it seemed like lots of couple were out that morning.
Had a stop at Hall’s Creek and went to the
local bakery for some morning tea. Walter left and Di & I refueled the car
as well as bought fresh fruit & veges at the local IGA which is always
exciting after shopping at roadhouses. We wanted to buy some wine and finally
found the bottle shop and had a very interesting conversation with the owner
who explained how many remote towns such as Halls Creek have quite severe
restrictions on alcohol and can’t sell anything over 2.7% alcohol. He told us
that every Tuesday there is a huge line up at the Post Office where everyone
comes to pick up the boxes of wine & spirits etc they have bought online at
heavily discounted prices. If the restrictions were lifted at any stage he
would not be able to sell at the prices people are paying online.
He also said that full strength beer can be
purchased and consumed at the local Pizza café and the Hotel so he said big
tables of Aborigines go to these places and buy on one pizza and then sit and
drink full strength beer. He also said much bootlegging goes on and he
mentioned that he recently had a letter from The local Director asking what
could be done and he said he had replied – nothing because it was out of his
control. So no wine but he had some lovely looking free-range boiled eggs sitting in a
pretty bowl on the counter and I bought these instead. They were very
good !!!
Arrived at Mary Pool rest area (a free
camping) – so no showers, no power and just some loos – the dirtiest foulest I
have ever walked into Yuck !!
Had a bit of a nap – it was lovely and cool
at our beautiful camp site and then a long brisk walk and I started to feel
like myself again.
The positives were that it was a haven for
hundreds and hundreds of white corellas and many other birds. We camped right
on the river and Walter (being the ex fire warden that he is made a magnificent
camp fire at sunset – that plus a lovely steak, salad and beautiful new
potatoes for dinner and we soon forgot about the awful amenities. Anyway I have
by now become an expert squatter so no problems.
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| Dark sky over The Kimberleys |
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| Before you cross look both ways !! |
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| Twins |
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| Mary Pool corellas |
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| Hundreds have their home here |
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| At sunset they become pink corellas |
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| Walter's lovely campfire |
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