Derby Parrot
Only kidding, this sorry looking Corella was on the footpath as we left the caravan park this morning. It looked like it had oil all over it.
We left Derby at 7am, as it was forecast to be 38c and we managed to visit all of the sights on our agenda. We called into the Boab Prison Tree which was on our way to Broome. It is truly remarkable that this tree is still surviving. It is hollow inside. It is now fenced around to stop the ground compressing the roots due to the high number of visitors.
Some fruit and even a bird to sing in my branches.
Our morning tea stop today was at the Mango Place located at 12 Mile on the way into Broome. We had a mango smoothie. Believe it or not the smoothie came in a 200ml plastic cup, so price is no guide to size. It was enjoyable to sip in the shade of the mango trees. Still trying to come to terms with how expensive everything is in WA>
There were no glowing positive reviews on all of the caravan parks in Broome, so we have camped at the Bird Observatory Camp Ground, about 30 kms out of Broome on Roebuck Bay. We called in on our way into Broome to check it out and its a great camp ground. Lovely and quiet and clean, comes with hot showers and toilets – didn’t expect that. Oh, plus lots of birds – We started down the track and the next thing we glimpsed the Indian Ocean – absolutely beautiful – turquoise.
The first glimpse of the Indian Ocean
(Roebuck Bay)
Roebuck Bay
We hadn’t even got to Broome, let alone the famous Cable Beach and we were blown away by the scenery
Minor Glitch
When camping in one spot for a number of days, we noticed even using the solar panel, we had a problem with the reserve battery in the car and the camper trailer battery. There is a business in Broome that specializes in solar and 12 volt, so we decided to take the car and camper in and get this sorted. We have been over a lot of rough road and thought it may have been caused by that. Basically we didn’t know what the problem was, as Glen had checked and tried everything he could to fix it. The technician found a few things loose, some other minor problems and a more efficient solution for power to the battery. We needed to replace the reserve battery (nearly 5 years old). The reserve car battery was old and tired and the camper trailer battery was struggling because a number of small things were preventing it getting a full recharge. We have kept the old battery and if we don’t use it on the trip, we will use it at home with a solar panel for pumping water. The guy was very savvy and sorted it all out. It was good to get it looked at now rather than later and then not being able to find someone who specialized in this area.
While we were refuelling, a guy pulled in with this sign on his ute.
Well, I believe in checking your spelling, I wonder how many people have told him.
While the camper wiring was being looked at, we went and refuelled firstly the car, then us. A drive to Gantheume Point and all thoughts of having cheese on crackers for lunch went out the door, when we found a small fish and chip van set up. We ordered. Opposite the van was a road down to a boat ramp, so we decided to drive down and eat our lunch by the shore. We were not expecting the scene that unfolded. It was like Myer’s car park at Pacific Fair. The tide was well and truly out and there were cars everywhere. People sunbaking, picnicking. Here you drive down to the waters edge as it takes a packed lunch to get there for a paddle. No swimming, crocs about. We set up our car annexe, pulled out the folding chairs and ate our lunch with a view of Cable Beach and fishing boats. Very nice.
There were cars everywhere, but well spread out, I couldn’t get them all in the photo.
After picking up the trailer, we called into the information centre to plan our day tomorrow and headed down to the Bird Observatory to set up camp. Our timing is excellent, tomorrow night it is “Stairway to Moon” viewing and the night markets. Once a month on a full moon and the sun setting on a low tide, this phenomenon occurs.
The weather is so good, we have not needed to put up the annex. No bugs at night, no mozzies.
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