Doug’s Ramblings....

There is so much happening and so many new things that we are experiencing that my head is overflowing with information, hence the ramble...

Day two of the coach tour. Katherine to Kananarra.

After the excitement of the previous day, sleep came easy. We were up and on the coach by 7.30. We have a 'seat rotation' system that is quite clever. Obviously seat "one" is the desired location, in front, with great clear view of the road and scenery ahead. Seat number "two" may be in the back somewhere, and so on through the coach in random order. On the first day, we sat where we wanted. We were then told that each day we went UP a number. When you get to the end, presto, you get to sit in seat 'one'. We will be long gone from the tour before we get there, but all seats are fantastic. This Mercedes is not too bad!

Today we head for Western Australia and The Kimberley. What a wonderful part of the world. The landscape is fascinating and breathtaking. The rocks in this part of the world are somewhere between 5,000,000 and 1,800,000,000 years old. What does that mean? That means that the rocks appeared on the surface that long ago. [My knowledge on the subject is a result of a little book I bought yesterday.] I always did wonder what the 'age' of geological formations meant. Rather late in life it appears that I am going to "The University of Western Australia" via APT Tours!

Timber Creek was a morning spot for drinks, sandwiches, or whatever. It seems to be a spot where no matter who passes, going either way, east or west, they stop.


Petrol, water, food, or just a spot where humanity clusters. There is very, very little in between such spots. I chatted with two aboriginal men. If you closed your eyes you would think you were talking to a white Australian. I asked about the rains, floods etc. The flood situation in the Top End, as it is called is amazing. My theory is that the land is so flat, [remember it has had 1,000,000,000 years to erode and get flat], that when it rains hard, like 5 inches, and drains a large area, the rivers rise tremendously, like 60 feet!!! The slope to the ocean would be somewhat gradual therefore the water would linger a bit. The area subject to flooding is vast, and wondrous. Other parts of Australia are literally drying up, yet, in this area the word 'drought' is unheard of.

As you can see the size of the trucks are humungous. They are called 'Road trains'. The petrol tanker shown has 84 wheels! There were two drivers on this one. On the roads we are on, the traffic is so scarce that Kevin, our driver, stopped on a bridge approach and let us off for a stroll and photo opportunity on the highway.



A Road Train did cross the bridge when we were on it. Other than Road Trains, at this time of the year the only other traffic is wandering Ozzies exploring the remoteness of this area. Usually in some form of camper/trailer/
converted van. They look more like they belong in Kenya than Australia.


When crossing into Western Australia we put our clocks back 1 1/2 hours. [Just as we thought we were overcoming our body clock abnormalities.] They are very, very strict regarding fruits, vegetables, honey, etc. Question to everybody..."have you ridden a horse in the last 48 hours?" Equine flu apparently. At the crossing the temperature was 40c!

Lunch was at Lake Argyle Tourist Village, an Outback Oasis where our fish and chip orders were phoned in ahead at a phone box, [no cell phone coverage up here]. There was an Australian Rugby final game on in the cavernous eating hall. Locals were clustered with chips and beer in front of a blaring TV while our touring group chomped down on our 'tucker', taking in the situation. Good stuff, what did we expect, white linen?

Next we had a panorama view of Lake Argyle, a man-made lake. I will not attempt to explain the complexity of this arrangement. I will just say that it has made this particular area 'water-rich' by capturing the water from the 'wet season' and[ I think that is what he said.]



But that is not to be. They use a small percentage to grow tropical crops via flood irrigation. The other 90% flows into the ocean. Much to the chagrin of Ozzies in Melbourne, Sydney and other areas who are literally dying for lack of water.

Next a high speed power boat 'cruise' of a portion of the water storage facility, a lake. What a contrast to the moonlight cruise the day before.



Wind streaming through our hair, and, every short while our pilot would stop and inform us of the complicated situation with water, global change, and the politics involved in it. We could have discussed it for hours, because water is a cause very close to Ozzies' hearts. Let us hope that our free trade arrangements do not put us in a situation where we suffer shortages so that there can be green lawns in our southern neighbours deserts. [Forgive me any US friends.]

On the cruise we at one point stopped for 'bush tucker', [tea and cake in the bush]. Wonderful.




One never went beyond the path for fear of some 'nasties' lurking there. The spot made me think of the experiences that the British who lived in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa had in the heady days of the Empire.




Then to shore where our man Kevin had taken or bags and had them put in the room. Louis handed out the keys on the way there and, presto, an Oasis of Civilization and Technology, an internet connection!!!!

Many of the group are up and away at 5.40 am tomorrow for a trip or flight to The Bungles, a unique range of mountains or should I say formations some distance away. Fellette and I are having a day of rest, laundry, try to find a church and relaxation, who knows, maybe a swim.

499 k's. Weather hot, hot, hot.