Aus Day 41 - Cable Beach Re-opened

Saturday 30th October    Aus Day 41


Rose at 07.10, showered and then Eileen treated us both to a big breakfast at the beach cafe. Very naughty but delicious. This on top of the lovely meal we had at Matso’s last night, a couple of photos, of which I enclose, below.

JB at Matso's Brewery and Restaurant

Eileen at Matso's



Meals Just Served - Delicious

A bit of a breeze sprang up after breakfast and caused us a bit of a problem trying to stow the awning. Eventually managed to get it stowed to a reasonable degree but had to take the van to a much more sheltered location to get it done properly.

Made our way to Cable Beach and found that it had been re-opened for swimming so naturally had to take advantage for a short time. Lovely warm water and quite big breakers but the wind was driving the sand across the beach and acting a bit like a sand blaster so we didn’t stop too long. We returned to RB for a while and had a fruit lunch of melon, orange and banana before going back into town for another browse round the Pearl shops. Unfortunately, without success.

More provisions shopping and then return to RB for swim and chill out session before sundowners at 5.00 pm.

Sundowners Outside The Van At Roebuck Bay

The View From In Front of The Van

We had a cooked tea in the van and spent the evening watching TV and updating the Blog. Tomorrow we leave this lovely spot and blast down the highway to Port Hedland, a distance of about 600 kms so, it is early to bed so as to make an early start.

Aus Day 40 - Cable Beach - Crocodile Stops Play

Friday 29th October     Aus Day 40


Up at 06.10 this morning as we have to get the van to the Ford Agent by 08.00 showered, breakfast and actually ready to go by 07.35.

Van delivered and we were told to check back in at about 11.00 to find progress. We wanted to get to Cable Beach so decided that we could walk there without much of a problem so, off we set. We reached the beach at a point about 2 kms sou8th of the surf club and walked along the beach until we got there. Beautiful beach and exercise as well. However, it seems that the crocodile watch is still in force so there was no chance to go in for a swim.

Part of the 20 kms of Cable Beach

Cable Beach Looking South - Can't See Any Crocodile

We indulged in a smoothie at Zanders before boarding the Town Bus for the Boulevard Shopping Centre for a bit of air conditioned retail therapy and a spot of lunch, after which I checked with the garage to find that the van was ready for collection.

Having picked up the van, which was now performing to a much better standard we returned to Roebuck Bay and once again had our swim and sunbathing session in this idyllic spot and then chilled out until sundowner time.

Eileen Returning From Swimming in Roebuck Bay

Re-established contact with the UK at 6.45 pm and then strolled up the road to Matso’s Brewery and Restaurant for our evening meal. Overdressed by local standards but, we felt better that way.

Eileen had the Famous Fish and Chips while I settled for the 3 meat Thai curry washed down with a glass of Squealing Pig for Eileen and a pint of Sow’s Ear for me. A lovely meal all round.

Strolled back to the caravan park and had a nightcap sitting under the stars, overlooking the bay. And so to bed.

Aus Days - 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 - Serious Catch Up

Thursday October 28th    Aus Days 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39


Some of you may have been wondering why there has been a sudden gap develop in my Blog output. I can only apologise and put it down to the fact that I have been rather busy of late and the fact that my priorities may have been temporarily reassigned.

Sunday October 24th   Aus Day 35

Eileen and I vacated our room at the Hidden Valley Tourist Park and went to exchange the 4WD camper van for the 4 Berth van I had ordered when I found that Eileen was able to join me. Unfortunately, there was no 4 berth van available so we were upgraded to a 6 berth van, at no additional cost, naturally.

Having picked up this ‘house on wheels’ we hit the Stuart Highway down to Katherine Gorge and arrived in time to get into the swimming pool by just after 4.00 pm.

In the evening we were entertained, at the pool side, by the “resident” artist Bernie until 8.00pm when returned to the van to get unpacked and tried to get organised for a reasonably early start in the morning.

Monday 25th October    Aus Day 36

Up at 07.10 and packed up ready to go by 08.45 but Eileen just had to take a couple of photos before we set off and I took one of her with the new van. You can see these below:


Swimming Pool at Katherine Gorge

Swimming Pool at Katherine Gorge

Eileen with the 6 Berth Van

We terminated our day at Lake Argyle Village just off the Victoria Highway and not far from Kununnura. Just before arriving, the van had developed a small problem with the Engine Management light illuminating. I checked in with Apollo and they arranged for it to be checked out by a garage in Kununnura the following morning.

With that arranged we made the best of our stay and enjoyed a bit of leisure time in the infinity pool overlooking Lake Argyle, See below:

Eileen in the Infinity Pool Overlooking Lake Argyle

Tuesday 26th October    Aus Day 37

Found our way into Kununnura and left the van with Top End Motors and went to do a bit of shopping. It turned out there was little the garage could do having checked for obvious faults (they didn’t have the necessary Ford codes) consequently, Apollo gave us clearance to go to Broome for a further check by a qualified Ford Agent. We therefore hightailed it the 395 kms to Halls Creek in time to check out their small but refreshing pool by 16.45. We retired quite early after watching a bit of television, ready for an early start in the morning.

Wednesday 27th October    Aus Day 38

Up at 06.00 shower, breakfast on a beautiful sunny morning. On the road by 07.20 in order to try and make it to Broome, some 680 kms away. We reached Fitzroy Crossing for refuel and comfort break by 10.30. Pressed on then until about 12.30 when we stopped for a spot of lunch under a large Boab tree. Eileen had taken a number of photos on the way to capture the environment we were travelling through:

On the Road to Broome From Halls Creek

On The Road to Broome

On The Road to Broome

Another 100 kms saw us refuelling yet again at Willare Bridge Roadhouse and we finally entered Broome at about 3.00 pm. Located and booked into the Roebuck Bay Caravan Park with a sea view site.

Roebuck Bay From the Camper Van

Th Van Parked Up At Roebuck Bay - Broome

A Lovely Lady and Rainbow to Match

The evening was spend with sundowners, salad tea, and resting with a bit of television.

Thursday 28th October    Aus Day 39

No pressure today so a late start at 07.20, showered, breakfast. We did a bit of housekeeping, both on the van and on the Blog before driving into town for a bit of retail therapy and a trip to Gantheaume Point were there is reputed to be fossilised dinosaur footprints. Unfortunately, the tide was too high when we were there so didn’t get to see them. However, got our first sighting of Cable Beach and other beautiful scenery.

JB at Gantheaume Point - Looking for Dinosaur Footprints

Cable Beach From Gantheaume Point

Eileen at Gantheaume Point



Cable Beach From Gantheaume Point

We returned to the camp site shortly after 1 pm and set out to have a serious chill-out session with a dip in the sea with the tide full in and the sand too hot to walk on.
Eileen was able to soak up a few rays while I did more work on the Blog update. I am starting to get a guilty conscience as a few people are starting to query why the Blog updating appears to have ground to a halt.

However, the following couple of photos should give you some idea why priorities may seem to have changed.

Mangrove Trees Just Off The Beach at Roebuck Bay

Roebuck Bay Beach

We had a BBQ tonight with a serious quantity of large prawns plus sausages, corn on the cob and salad. All very tasty but we then had to retire to our air conditioned van away from the ferocious mossies.

Tomorrow, we have to get the van into the garage for its Ford check out and then we will be going to visit Cable Beach with the hope that the crocodile which kept the Beach closed for bathing for 4 days, has now been dealt with.

Good Night All

Aus Day 34 - More Crocodiles and a Sunset

Saturday 23rd October    Aus Day 34


Up at 08.15 again but feeling somewhat more refreshed this morning. Shower, breakfast Al Fresco then off to see more crocodiles at Crocodylus Park, arriving there at about 10.00. A very interesting tour around what is essential a crocodile farm with a small zoo attached. Eileen got to stroke a small crocodile but declined the opportunity to hold one.

Eileen Admiring the Turtles at Crocodylus Park

We had a snack lunch there before heading back towards the Tourist Park via the local supermarket to do a bit of shopping in readiness for our journey tomorrow. A brief siesta was called for followed by a trip to the swimming pool. I was attempting to update the Blog while sitting in the shade at the poolside while Eileen grabbed a few rays but I was eventually forced to retreat back to the room by the mossies.

Having connected to the Internet we established contact with Eileen’s daughter via Skype to the welcome relief of all concerned.

Following my Blog update, we hightailed it to Mindil Beach to try and capture the sunset over the bay. Some good pictures and we even had a paddle before going back into Darwin City to grab an evening meal at a nice Italian restaurant on Mitchell Street. Then meandered back to the Tourist Park and a relatively early night to be sure of getting up in reasonable time in the morning when we are due to swap the 4WD van for a 4 berth camper prior to heading for Katherine Gorge.

Sunset at Mindil Beach - Darwin

Eileen at Mindil Beach - Darwin