Happy father's day at Barn Hill

It was all good timing...we happened to be passing back through Broome and I happened to have seen a newspaper ad about fathers day, (and we don't read the paper much at all)...so we figured out fathers day was the next day!
Having just broken our cheap kids fishing rod,the gift choice was easy, hiding it in the car was not. I had actually made an extra trip back to the shopping centre car park, but can't say I noticed whether charlie's bike was still there or not, but once we did return, it was gone. It was our fault for forgetting we were back in civilisation and didn't lock it properly on the rack, but it was disappointing, pretty damn annoying and a big inconvenience...not to mention charlie's sadness at losing his beloved blue bike. We soon discovered some young kids were seen with it at the petrol station..putting air in the flat tyre, so we drove around the neighbouring streets hoping to find it and the naughty boys who stole it! So we ended up wasting a lot of time, reported it to the police (thinking we may be able to claim it on insurance)...then headed off out of Broome. We had planned on driving to 80mile beach, but it was getting late so we headed off to Barn Hill, a working cattle station on a beautiful stretch of beach. We arrived feeling pretty tired and quickly set and and ate dinner, choosing a shady site protected from the wind this time!
Barn Hill is a gorgeous camp ground...full of retirees spending their southern winter here where it's warm. The campground is full of big caravans, winnebago's and satellite dishes...everyone looking a little too relaxed! The showers are open air, so during the day you can shower in the warmth of the sun...and it is warm!


Sunday 5th October
Grant was thrilled with his new fishing rod, 2 books and cycling magazines. A yummy breakfast, coffee, bacon and tomatoes...then a day spent on the beach and testing out the new rod (including one for the boys). Dinner was shared with around 60 or so others, roast under the stars with a local band...how great is that!
Oh...and Grant decided to finally get rid of that facial hair today...yippee!



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Then it was time for the boys to have a trim..




Cazz x

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Middle Lagoon

2-4 September

We had heard lots of other campers rave about Middle Lagoon so we decided to make the long sandy detour, in no hurry to leave this beautiful part of Australia. We managed the deep sand and bumpy road without any problems...and were surprised to see quite large caravans here.
For the first time we decided to camp in the full sun...right on the cliff above the ocean, and put up our awning for only the second time on our trip. The views were just gorgeous, especially the setting sun.







Unfortunately the wind became a real problem, not for our camper or awning, which are both very strong and sturdy, but our stove kept blowing out and we just couldn't sit outside to eat! Luckily we had bought a (very) small portable stove in Darwin. We set this up inside the tent to cook, and ended up putting our table and chairs inside as well. During the night the wind was blowing a gale, and it just didn't really settle down the whole time we were here.
The boys enjoyed the surf, and spent hours catching waves with Grant, while I sheltered from the wind and hot sun.
We have also loved watching dozens of whales as they slowly make their way south..






Ass luck would have it the wind changed direction on the morning we packed up...blowing dirty sand and duet all over us, all over everything we have...and almost blew the tent right over our heads! The boys had to sit in the car while grant and I were whipped with sand trying to pack everything away. We even had to shower before we left as we were so covered in dirt and sand!

Cazz x
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A bit of culture...spear making!

There are several cultural tours on offer up here. We have enjoyed some indigenous experiences on our trip...and are gaining a much better appreciation and understanding of aboriginal lifestyle, culture and customs. We especially enjoy seeing the boys appreciate another way of life.
Like most things up here, nothing is ever certain and it's all fairly relaxed...so one of the tours we hoped to do didn't go ahead.?.but we the boys were very excited about the spear making.
We visited a small local community where we were shown how to make spears the traditional way. The boys heated their branches over the fire, straightening them while hot, then peeled away the bark. The spears were then sharpened and painted using traditional paints.










We then followed our guide 'bundy' to the most pristine beach we have probably ever seen. The sand was pure white and dazzling. The water warm and clear.






'bundy' sent his son (12 years old) and another relative off the spear some fish for us...while we tested out our own, had a swim, and learnt a little about his culture and customs. We were shown a significant cultural site where footprints dated at around 7000 years old are clearly visible in the ground...once a mud flat.
Harry, his spear...and just look at the size of that fish! There is a secret to catch fish that big with a spear!








It was a great day...

Cazz and boys xxx

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Cape Leveque again

Some more pics...
Our sunset view...and new hammock..



The beautiful new restaurant. My favorite place for a coffee...and a read..


A beach shelter...


Charlie having too much fun..




Cazz and boys xxx


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Cape Leveque

August 27-Sept 2

We have been so privileged on this trip to visit some of Australia's most unique and amazing places. Cape Leveque is on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, on aboriginal land and one of the most pristine regions we have visited. We are camping at a very popular place...so popular that you must book a campsite weeks in advance...and if you want one of the very special 'beach shelters' you will be lucky to get one. So after my initial disappointment at not securing a beachfront shelter ( million dollar views like you've never seen)... We have really loved it here.
We are surrounded by coastline. The west beach has stunning red cliffs, azure waters and pure white sand..and the most divine sunsets. The east beach a swimming haven. The water here is so crystal clear...and by driving a short way along the sands, we can have the beach virtually to ourselves. The days here are long, filled with swimming, laying in the sun and swimming some more. We have also been lucky to have some Melbourne friend, Sue and Monty here ( by pure coincidence!)... and enjoyed their company here and in Broome.
My favourite view..





Our car, which has handled every possible off road situation..without any problems at all...and will be deserving of a thorough clean when we get home!


We bought the boys some masks and snorkels in Broome and they were excited to try them out in the ocean. We wandered down to the beach and in the time it took for me to lay out the towels and turn around...the boys were snorkeling happily in very deep water...you can imagine my slight panic as I rushed out to them, only to find they were all quite relaxed and enjoying the tropical fish and stingrays below!
We have met some lovely new friends from Melbourne(who know some of our friends!) and enjoyed sunset drinks, and spear making together.
Later in the day Grant, Thomas and I am out even deeper...I was amazed that all three boys handled it so confidently!



Famous sunsets..






We have heard stories of people coming here for a few days and staying for weeks...and understand why. We have been tempted to just stay here and not bother with anything else..it can't get much better than this!
We have extended our stay for an extra night..and decided to stop at another smaller campsite at Middle Lagoon before heading back towards

Cazz and boys xxx

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Broome staircase to the moon

For 2 or 3 days of each month the full moon rises over the mud flats in Broome, its reflection creating the illusion of a staircase leading to the moon. It's a much celebrated natural attraction, with a market, food stalls...and hundreds of locals and tourists lining the cliffs with cameras in hand.
As the orange moon rose into view...there was almost a hush in the crowd...then the cameras started flashing!
I didn't have a tripod...so please excuse the hand held camera shot.
It really was a breathtaking sight.












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Cazz and boys xxx



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Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Broome staircase to the moon

For 2 or 3 days of each month the full moon rises over the mud flats in Broome, it's reflection creating the illusion of a staircase leading to the moon. It's a much celebrated natural attraction, with a market, food stalls...and hundreds of locals and tourists lining the cliffs with cameras in hand.
As the orange moon rose into view...there was almost a hush in the crowd...then the cameras started flashing!
I didn't have a tripod...so please excuse the hand held camera shot.
It really was a breathtaking sight.












-

Cazz and boys xxx



please leave us a message, we love to hear from you!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.