Lunch With The Super Witch of Canewdon...

We were up and awake at 4.45 am, after a 8.15 bedtime. We were completely exhausted from the hectic but fun pace at El Questro. By 6.15 I had taken a look at the previous two days photos and downloaded to the computer. Then I wrote a blog for the day when we get on-line again, in Broome, three days hence. By 6.15 I had been stretched on the bed in an awkward position for one and one half hours. I could hardly straighten up. Only then did I realize that I had overdone it the day before. My bandaged toe, injured in the last swim of the day, was throbbing and my back and legs did not want to straighten, no doubt something to do with a horse! Two aspirin, a cold wash and we were off to breakfast where coffee soon kicked in.

On the coach and underway by 8. First stop was the Argyle Diamond Mine for a fascinating and informative tour of the world's biggest diamond mine. [Biggest in terms of diamonds, mostly industrial grade now. Canada now holds the title of most gem quality stones.]






After a quick visit to their shop we had lunch in the workers' cafeteria. There is no reason to grumble about the food, that is for sure. many had their first ice cream since we left Darwin a week ago.

Also at the site at the same time was another APT coach coming from Perth going to Darwin, the opposite of our tour. Two English ladies [Joan and Sue], asked if they could join us as the place was now crowded. It turns out they were "Essex Girls", they rather shamefully admitted with a smile on their face. [A fellow traveller later explained that Essex Girls were supposedly not the brightest tack in the box and tripped around in high white stiletto heels.] English legends!

We also discovered that these two delightful ladies lived in a town called Canewdon, in Kent, across the River Crouch from UK friends Pat and Paul Robson in South Woodham Ferris. We only know a handful of people in the UK and this seemed amazing to us. Also one of the ladies has a very close friend who lives in Langley, our home town.

The delightful lunch soon ended as the coaches were getting ready to go. Joan then rather embarrassedly admitted that she was the "Super Witch of Canewdon". According to another English legend/myth[?] the wife of the butcher was the Super Witch. She became that by default as her husband ran the abattoir!

That was about the most exciting thing that happened to us today as we moved closer to the coast, and Broome where we depart from the tour that continues on for another 11 days to Perth. Just goes to show you, even on a dull day you can find a little bright spot.

By 3.30 we were in our digs for the night in halls Creek. A small town with what appears to be a rather large aboriginal population. We were advised to do our walking before dark. One of the bars here states to have an open mind before entering. Shall we go and have a peek?

Later entry, same day...
We two went for a walk into town about one kilometre away after unpacking. [Doug needed to replenish his wine supply.] There were a few interesting photos taken on the way.




On the main street, that is also the main highway, small groups of aboriginals wandering about made me tuck my cameras away. The town is about 400 meters long fronting on the highway. A few shops along the way did not offer wine, so I asked a local who directed me to a Liquor Store, 'right on the corner'. We found it momentarily. We were walking stride in stride with a white local man. At the corner there was quite a ruckus going on between five aboriginals. I think it was over a Boom-Buster radio that one was clutching, still in its packaging. Everybody involved was drunk. I asked the local what was going on he said 'just ignore it', so we did. The store had shut it's metal corrugated iron outer door, but the local shouted in to 'Jim' who said he would open in 5-10 minutes. Soon a group of whites and one native were patiently waiting. Apparently this happens frequently when things get out of hand. It was welfare pay day today.

I chatted with a lady there who turned out to be a State Police Officer, who was in civvies waiting in line at the shop. She had some interesting things to say about the aboriginal communities that allow alcohol. Sad state. Some are dry and it is an entirely different story apparently.

Some young kids looked us straight in the eye and said "hello" in a confident voice, hopefully some will overcome their sad environment and flourish. We can only hope.