Leaving the beautiful coastline and heading east brought changes in the lansdscape. First we had sand dunes not unlike the Simpson- red dirt ones and quite high. Of course with a bitumen road they were easy to fly over. Then we noted our first termite mounds. Some of these were over 2m high. The first 2 nights in the Pilbara we free camped beside the road. The distances here are so vast it takes a while to get anywhere. The mountain ranges were so impressive - we would try to capture them but I don't think we did them justice. The colours of the mountains are strong and reminiscent of Namatjira paintings. Karijini then Pt Hedland were our destinations and we weren't disappointed but first the Pilbara.
One of our nights beside the road we stopped early and had our first camp oven roast - we've had plenty of camp oven veges but no roasts so we thought we would break out and bought some lamb in Carnarvon. Looks ok - tasted delicious. At night beside the fire we usually talk for a bit and look at maps, Kerry plays some banjo or ukelele then we head to bed pretty early and read and write stuff about the day then off to bed and up early to try to get on the road before 9 - we dont always make it!!!
Can you believe still more different wildflowers?
Oops that's me there - was getting late
RIP Lookout where people place a rock remembering their loved ones
Tom Price was a bustling town with manicured lawns for the big mine bosses, new homes being built, a Coles and extensive shopping and this old monster - superceded by bigger monsters now.
More of the beautiful mountains of the Pilbara
And now KarijIni - pictures tell the story - many gorges, we went to many but the last one Dales Gorge where we swam was the most spectacular. Millions of years ago these rocks were the bottom of the sea bed!!!
Our lovely quiet campsite in Karijini
We swam in Fern Pool - there was maidenhair and other ferns everywhere
The bottom of the gorge had wonderful light
The trees were espaliered against the rocks - in flood times the water rises way over the heads of these trees
Alison in Fern Pool
The pool was at least 10+m deep and crystal clear
Alison leaping from the rocks under the waterfall
The path out
Last view of the gorge
More magical Pilbara
Entering Pt Hedland - mine trucks everywhere
And then to our main reason for being in Pt Hedland - to see Jenny's (Kerry's sister) beautiful sundial. Two aboriginal girls came along as we arrived and were saying how good it was and spotting all the animals in the design
Kerry showing how to tell the time - have to stand on the month and with hands high face towards the turtle!!!
The plate with designers and Jennys acknowledgement as Ceramic Artist
All around the edge were these different plates telling stories
The setting for the sundial - a new footpath area beside a swale
Great shots makes one envious guys!
ReplyDeleteOne proud bro Kerry, interesting sun dial
i think that b afta midday Kerry?? Me think
u needed to cheat and drop one arm for minutes ha!?.