Kimberleys Trip 8 June 2019

Quite a cool shock this morning with 6.2oC. We cound out that we were quite lucky to have decided not to attempt the Gibb River Road as the hitch on the camper had split. 

I don't think Darryl enjoyed the day as much as he should have as he was distracted trying to problem-solve getting us safely to Halls Creek. 

We started out reasonably early for the Northern walks, beginning with the lookout and then Echidna Gorge, which was magnificent. It had vertical walls of conglomerate, and it just kept on going in and in, everywhere were Livistonia Palms, figs & grasses. 

Single palms clinging tenaciously to a crack in the red rock, and then lots on high shelves of rock. Some of the boulders of conglomerate were gargantuan. It was a truly magnificent walk.

Down at the next set of walks we went to Mini Palm Gorge. 

Getting in some spaces between the boulders were a really tight squeeze, and it ended in a viewing platform. 

Darryl saw a little red skink, (it was too quick for a photo), and then shortly after we both saw a little brown one skitter across the path.

The next walk taught us about aboriginal use of plants on the Stonehenge loop, before getting back to camp for lunch and a rest. 

Around 2pm we did the 40 min drive to the Southern walks, taking lots of photos on the way. 

This place, called the Beehive Domes, was astounding with the red and grey/black bands across the rocks. 

After Cathedral Gorge, which was beautiful we came out and went on the Domes walk. 

Darryl spotted 3 birds roosting in a hole in the rock. 

Termites nests were right up on the domes, and sometimes sheltered under cliffs. They are termites which feed on spinifex. 

The sun set by the time we were driving back to camp (5pm). After 20,000 steps for the day I was sure looking forward to a glass of wine and some cheese. Darryl also provided a wonderful hot wash in our pop-up (first time we had set it up in 3 weeks).

My legs were filthy after the day's walking