Carnarvon Gorge
Tuesday 6th July
We saw our first evidence of the mouse plague this morning as we were packing up. We heard some squealing from a nearby van site and saw mice scattering to the 4 winds. The residents had left their outdoor chairs wrapped in cloths overnight and obviously the mice had decided it was a warm cosy sleeping spot.
We headed off to our next stop at Carnarvon Gorge where we will catch up friends Libby and Eric.
By the time we reached Injune Michael was ready for his coffee so we stopped for a break. The Main Street has a series of rustic metal statues of local characters. I thought many religions could take a leaf out of St Peter’s way of operating.
We pulled in to an historic site which turned out to be the remnants of a Dakota C47B military aircraft which crashed in 1943. 18 USA and Australian personnel were killed on a flight from Darwin to Brisbane.
As we turned up the driveway to our Sandstone Camp Michael commented that the car behind us had NT plates and perhaps it was the Smiths….as it turned out to be. Amazing that they had come from Emerald and we had come from Roma and arrived at the same time!
Once we settled in to our new home it was time for a short walk. We chose Mickey Creek Gorge Walk as it was a reasonable 3km through narrow-sided gorges.
Before returning to camp we checked out the road to the end and discovered a French Patisserie that looked perfect for a pre-walk stop in the morning.
Our camp site is perched on a hilltop affording 360degree views so we were blessed with stunning sunsets.
Bird count 102
Wednesday 7th July
Imagine the disappoint when Michael went sailing past the Patiserrie on our way for today’s walk! His idea was that we could have it as a reward after we had completed today’s walk….providing we make it back before 3.
The concensus was that none of us were interested in the 19.4km main walking track and this decision was confirmed by several people. The Art Gallery at 10.8km was as good as the one at the end so that’s what we decided on. It was reasonably easy walking although the approach to the Art Gallery, stated as being a gentle uphill stroll may have been rather stretching it I feel. On the way there were many impressive vistas of the towering walls and a great variety of landscapes.
As Libby and Eric are the friends who introduced me to birdwatching in Singapore we did pick up a few more sightings on the way, including the White-necked heron. It was great to share this interest.
The Art Gallery was an interesting collection of engravings, ochre stencils and freehand paintings along a 62m stretch of sandstone. By the time we reached the gallery we were all ready for a short period of contemplation before the return journey.
Sitting at the junction of the Main Track and the track to the Amphitheatre for our lunch break we had a chat with another couple. She was insistent that the Amphitheatre was well worth the extra walk and the climb up the ladder-like stairs so off we went and we were very pleased with that decision. It proved to be the highlight of the day. It was amazing to enter through a very narrow slit in the caves which opened in to a 60m deep chamber gouged out of the rock by running water. The only thing missing was a small chamber orchestra which I imagine would sound magnificent. It was a truly awe-inspiring place.
I know the theory is that the journey home always seems shorter than the journey out…not so today. I was really dragging my feet by the time I saw the car park but the good news was that it was only 2.30 so we had time to hit the Patisserie on the way home. An amazing array of French goodies and entertainment provided by a flock of King Parrots feeding on the Cycad seeds.
An afternoon rest and Bolognaise prepared by Eric, and eaten around the fire, finished off a perfect day.
Bird count 109
Michael "nice walk ruined" Munro and 3 twitchers ........ how are his nerves holding up?
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