A very strange thing happened in Karratha last night………..it rained kind of, a few heavy spots over about 90secs and lots of grey cloud. We haven’t seen that much cloud or any rain since Murray Bridge about 6 weeks ago so it was a bit of a shock. We also discovered last night that the canvas walls of the camper aren’t sound proof, yes I hear you say of course there not……. the funny story is that one of us may have passed wind a little loudly, who it was doesn’t matter but the guy in the flashy motor home next door who was apparently outside said to his wife who was inside cooking “I heard that did you just do a fart” and blamed her. We were trying not to laugh out loud but it was hilarious, of course she denied it and then there was some discussion and then they shut their door. We should have offended them earlier as they were complete dicks, the Griswalds without the kids!

The flashy motorhome, tows the silver Micra on the left, all silver and shiny and containg two idiots!

Yesterday we sat through a 20 minute video to get a permit to enable us to travel on the Rio Tino service road next to their railway line, this could be handy between parks and to get to a few other places only accessible off their permit road. The video goes on about how you should drive on a gravel road, makes very clear the speed limit is 80kmh for us and roads trains do 60kmh max. They also tell you if you get stuck behind a road train to suck it up as you are not allowed to pass. Some woman a while ago told us you can’t wear red on the permit road because of aboriginal wishes, she had never seen the video obviously as you can’t wear red because it’s the warning colour for the train drivers to do an emergency stop! Then a gold coin donation and sign your life away to get a permit. They also make very clear in the video you are treated like and employee while on their road and you must have zero alcohol including ALL passengers. They have the right to issue speeding fines and drug test you. They do patrol the road with speed camera’s.

We finally left Karratha and headed for Millstream, Chichester National Park for a couple of walks and some swimming (yes it’s stinking hot again) The first stop was Mt Herbert and it was more of a hill than a mountain but it is the highest point of the Chichester Range. We wondered along a track for a few minutes and noticed a sign for McKenzie Spring 2kms so walked down to that although there was water there it wasn’t very inviting. The spring used to be used by bullock and camel trains crossing the area and would have far more water in the wet which is so often the case up here. We got back to the car and Col went for a quick dash up Mt Herbert and I sat in the car with the aircon on flat out, it was all uphill on the way back and we were dripping with sweat.

McKenzie Spring

View from Mt Herbert….Spinifex country

Next stop was Python Pool further on up the road, a permanent water hole only 5 mins from the carpark. A sign at the pool said Swimming not recommended because the water is untreated (what waterhole ever has treated water for goodness sake!) and the usual diving hazards but the water wasn’t green so in we got. It was cool but not freezing and so refreshing we wallowed about for about an hour till hunger drove us out. There were heaps of little fish in the pool and would nibble your toes if you kept still for to long, needles to say I didn’t stay still at all. Just before left I threw some crumbs of a rice cracker I was eating and the fish went into a feeding frenzy, they must be used to being fed maybe.

Python Pool.

Next on the list was to find a spot to have lunch in the shade and a camp spot for the night. We drove into the Millstream part of the National Park and checked out the first campground, Crossing Pool which is right beside the Fortescue River. It is a generator and caravan free area with only 10 small sites, we picked out two spots but went further on to the Visitors Centre to check out info on walks and have the by now 3pm lunch. The visitors centre is an old homestead and unmanned, although you can call the ranger through an intercom if you need to. We couldn’t find any info on walks so just had a poke round and then went to check out another camping area called Stargazers. Stargazers was nice and quiet but there was a very weird looking dude meditating who we have since found out sometimes forgets to put clothes on so quite glad we came back to Crossing Pool for a couple of nights.

Views from lookout across the river to our campsite.

We apparently have the prime position with the most river frontage and it is one of the most lovely campsites we have had. You can swim in the river or go and sit in the creek just a few mins walk away or you can even sit on a steel footbridge and dangle your legs in the water. All very civivlised! There were two guys fishing beside us when we were setting up but they were only catching catfish. The camp host came over for a natter and to collect our fees and for the next hour Col and these guys told 4wd damage stories from our and their travels. I am so glad now that we didn’t do The Gibb. One of the guys fishing was English and was travelling with his wife around Australia for 12 months, they only had a month to go and then they were off to some other country. They hadn’t been home for a few years although both their daughters were in Australia for the moment.

Lazy day around Crossing Pool tomorrow I feel, with a little walk for a bit of exercise.