Making new friends

Kalbarri continued.....

 So we spent our second night in Kalbarri drinking with our new camp neighbours, Ross and Elena.

 Ross was an indigenous man from Geraldton, who was borne in 1960 (good vintage) and Elena was 37 and worked on the mines in Tom Price. Unusual couple but we had fun with them. Ross gave us a very large jar of homemade chilli - very generous. They’d planned to go fishing this morning and had promised us a fish dinner. However it’s now 5.30 and they’ve gone out.... not too worry, I have to cook our chicken breasts tonight anyway .

 We finally visited the Kalbarri National Park today. Last attempt, two years ago, we gave up half way as the road was so bad, we didn’t think the hire van would make it. Now the road has been paved all the way and it was painless.

Natures Window, Kalbarri National Park

 The look out and views are spectacular and well worth a visit. However there were a lot of people there, including a group of very loud Chinese tourists. The girls were wearing a ballet skirt and heels and the other a long satin nighty/dress and wedge thongs - too funny!

 We also had the pleasure of a bus load of backpackers, mostly wearing not much at all and a couple with no shoes!!!!! Yes bare feet and it was hot and rocky!!!!!! Either they were in great pain or had super leather feet.... we didn’t wait around to see them on the return climb.
Kalbarri National Park

We had a lazy afternoon walking on the beach and now back in camp for early dinner drinkies. We are starting to slow down a bit now, getting used to the shops closing between 1-2 for lunch...

 Well must dash now - have some chicken to cook ....

 We finally spent five nights in Kalbarri. The day after the visit to the gorges, we spent the next two days lazily discovering the beach cliff walks. Fantastic! Some of the areas resemble my image of what Mars must be. 














Along the coast, Kalbarri













We encountered a family of emus, running freely around the new and quite deserted housing estate, on the outskirt of town. 

 We wandered through the Kalbarri cemetery
and ventured out to the Kalbarri Hotel for live music on Friday night. Lots of signs  warning about drinking too much and No Dogs allowed etc but people were quite civilised.
Emus, out and about in Kalbarri
We did consider that if you live in Kal too long someone comes around your house and steals all your shoes. 
Also we our promised fish supper never materialised, we noticed our new friends, Ross and Elena didn't emerge from their van until after 10am (usually after a big night on the turps) (..........lazier than the Ajayis).
Seen these funny statues before somewhere....

Super Richie


Isn't it marvellous!

Saturday left bright and early for the drive to Denham. It was quite a long drive, about 4 hours.  We carefully and methodically packed up the tent, the bedding, the tarps, the chairs, stretchers, deflated the mattress, packed up all the food and utensil boxes, packed the entire lot into the car, tied everything down and then Richie realised he had left his wallet in the tent. Classic! Luckily I had a credit card etc....
we left Kal at 0900 (our new friends were still asleep) and arrive at Denham at 1 pm. It took about 1 1/2 hours to reset the camp site. We have pushed the boat out and got an ensuite this time.
Note to self, don't leave your wallet it the tent and then pack and load, said tent!

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