Hello to all ye faithful FOPS journal followers!
I know it has been an awfully long time between blogs but such is the nature of travelling in remote areas ie. no internet, no telephones, no mobile reception!! Where to begin with this update....
I think a summary will have to do!! This is truly an amazing, wild and obscenely scenic part of the world. We have swum in gorges virtually every day, canoed along Dimond Gorge and walked through an amazing underground tunnel. We have visited the majestic Mitchell Falls on the Mitchell Plateau, which was worth the gruelling 76kms 2 and a half hour bumpy track to get there! We have visited a remote coastal community north of the Gibb River Road, Kalumburu and chatted to the local indigenous people about fishing, pastimes and their wonderful town. Kalumburu was established around 1905 by the missionairies. It has survived a bombing in World War 2 where 5 people were killed and then a diminishing aboriginal population due to disease. Today it is a thriving community of over 400 with a large population under the age of 25. It also has the dynamic Father Anscar, who is an amazing character with the best laugh we have heard in ages!! He has set up a truly informative museum and is passionate about perserving the indigenous community's culture and traditions. Put it on your list of places to visit!!! We have crossed many rivers much to the delight of Si and Ol! We have enjoyed the best dinners cooking in the camp oven on the open fire - eat your heart our Jack Absalom!! Ol and Sienna have become expert bird watchers and can name most birds that we encounter. We have spent 3 glorious days at the Mornington Wilderness Park - about the only area in the Kimberley that is cattle free!! This ensures a plethora of flora and fauna, some unique only to this area. Plus they have a great outdoor bar - very welcoming after being in alcohol free communities for a couple of weeks!!
We have got dirt under our finger nails, dust in our beds, and a swim in a gorge counts as a wash for the day. All in all we are having a glorious, glorious time!!
Thanks for your comments and thoughts - we should be within mobile range over the next few days if anyone needs to contact us on my mobile (ie. Zane!!).
Love and hugs to you all.
FOPS
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PS. As I am updating this at the public library in Derby I do not have access to download photos - hopefully next update!!
We are aiming to head off to Broome tomorrow and finally catch up with Sar, Graeme and Daisy who we unfortunately have not seen for 2 weeks since their car decided to play up.
Alas, we have also missed the Williams/Calloway clan in Broome - we are stilling trying to contact you!!!!
Thanks Ms Natoli and preppies!! Sienna has many stories to share with you all!
