Millstream - Chichester National Park

Tuesday we set off to Python Pool to go camping for a couple of days. Sean had managed to get a shift off at last minute so it was a snap decision to take the kids away.

The road between Roebourne and Python Pool was as usual red hard metal, but a different scenery than the norm. Huge escarpments and mountains splashed the landscape then back to vast open plains lacking colour. We passed a hill call pyramid hill for obvious reasons as it looked like an out of place pyramid and the road just scooped the edge of its base.


We had planned to camp at a place called snake creek just a few minutes from python pool but as we got to it, we weren't overly excited about it. We decided to go and see Python Pool before setting up camp.

Python pool is a deep water hole at the base of a huge cliff, a perfect swimming pool but at the moment it is full of algae and not recomended for swimming. A very stunning piece of scenery none the less, a place we will come back to for a days swimming and relaxing.






When we got back to the car, we pulled out the map and decided to carry on into the Millstream - chichester National Park to find a better spot for camping. We ended up driving the full loop of the park before finding the perfect spot. There were a couple of shallow fords to cross with gave the kids a bit of a thrill.


We decided on a camp called crossing pool which was right next to the Fortescue River, we managed to score a water front site, the camp ground is a very basic one very much like a doc camp in NZ, but no running water, but it did have a bush loo and gas bbq's.

While we were setting up the tent, a massive flock of cockatoos literally thousands turned up and flocked in the gum trees above us, the noise was defening, they ended up staying for the duration of our stay but left at sun down and made their noisy entrance VERY early in the morning.


our possy, just the very basics this time

The red dust is something you have to get use to when camping in this region and Janaya seemed to get herself covered from head to toe in no time, I wanted to get her all cleaned up before bedtime and I asked her to strip down so I could wash her hands, face and feet, I turned my back for a second and she had a better idea of just sitting in the bucket... all the water overflowed into the back of the car but it was so funny, she thought it was a great bath!!


With the kids in bed, Sean and I settled down for some quiet time and a few games of cards. By the time we got to bed it was FREEZING, I have never been that cold since being here, I didn't get much sleep that night because of it and by the early hours of the morning we had all three kids in bed with us....The morning we were greeted by the screaching of the cockies, no alarm clocks needed in the bush!

Karratha a booming town

but in major crisis...

I listened to this on the radio the other day and stumbled along the link, interesting to learn how some people have to rough it up here. Oh we are soooo lucky!
http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/notes/mp3s/hack_karrathashacks.mp3

Taekwondo...

A few weekends ago Tayden took part in a Taekwondo demonstration at one of the schools fete. The day was well organised with plenty to do for the kids, and lots of stuff to buy. The Taekwondo demonstration was awesome, they all looked so good. The red and blue belts did a breaking boards with their kicks which was pretty neat, then Graeme (instructor) told all the yellow and white belts to come and have a go. This was a new thing for them all as they had never attempted it. Taydens had a go and after about 5 attempts he gave it a miss, then they were told to go throught it again and Tayden took a big puff and got it 1st go, He was so stoaked. We got a short video clip but unfortunatly only got it as he finished the kick. If you look closely the instructor throws two broken peices of wood away but hes behind the other guy so you have to look hard or a few times... (press the play button twice)

and another of their punches

Crocodile

Sean emailed me some pictures of a crocodile that was seen in the tug Harbour at Cape Lambert near Point Samson. Its very strange to see them down here as its supposedly too cold.

Scary!!!!

Freaky

I have just started walking as the weather now has cooled down to a managable walking temperature. I took Janaya in the pram today, she was happily enjoying the ride while I was listening to my mp3 player striding it out in my own world. We were walking in Baynton and got to a point where I could go a few ways, I decided to go under the underpass and walk down through a new suburb which is bare with no houses yet but all the cycle tracks are in place. I had just got to the other side of the tunnel thinking 'phew', as I kind of get a little uneasy when walking under the main highway, and just happened to glance down as I was about to step on a snake who was in a mighty hurry coming towards me. My instincts thankfully kicked in and as I was bringing my foot down to connect with the thing, I somehow managed a spring off the back foot just managing to clear it, and set off in a sprint while I was yelling some language, which shouldn't have been said infront of my girl, but I don't think she noticed. then I stopped looked behind me and watched it slither away quickly in the other direction. If my heart rate wasn't up by then is was fair pumping now due to a massive adrenaline rush. I stared freaking out a bit as I was literally in the middle of an empty suburb and quite a long way from anything. I really picked up the pace and walked with my eye on the ground, every now and then I would check behind me just to make sure the snake hadn't decided to follow me. I realised that I have become quite complacent regarding snakes having only seen one at Xmas time, but really they give me the heeby jeebies. Then as I got further away and started to feel braver I began thinking how I should have taken a photo with my phone, but really, as if I'm going to stalk a snake for his picture...

Sean had only suggested yesterday that we go for a walk over the hills, I was keen as mustard but the track is a narrow dirt track through the longish grass, I don't think im that keen now as it will be harder to spot a snake than out in the open on a concrete path.

Sometimes I do wonder about one of us getting bitten and I pray it never happens as I have no faith in the hospital here, though Im sure they have all the antivenom they need, but really the place doesn't have a very good reputation. There is a 2 week waiting list to get in to see a doctor (crazy I know), so many people resort to going to the hospital. Just recently a young lady died, a couple of hours after giving birth to her baby, a collegue of Seans in his 40s went in with stomach pains and died!!!! and the most recent was a man off one of the ships who ate a poisonous fish and died after getting to hospital. 3 very sad events. A friend of a friends little boy broke his arm and had to wait 3 days for a doctor from perth to arrive to set it. The family couldn't afford the costs involved to fly to Perth and get it fixed. I think about 80% of cases end up getting flown to Perth with no assistance financially at all.

Though in saying all that, our friend Brent, was admitted to hospital with a suspected snake or spider bite to his foot which ended up spreading a nasty infection right up to his hip, he spent a couple of days in hospital and managed to come out unscathed and without being shipped off to Perth.

It just makes living here that little bit more exciting, and keeps you on your toes. Did I mention how beautiful the wheather is lately? 55 days since we had a drop of rain... All worth it!!!

Roebourne Races

On Saturday we went to the Roebourne Races. It was a family themed event and had heaps to keep the kids amused. It cost all of $5 for a family to get in, and with the entry price the kids got a show bag each from Qantas, with the kiddy packs you get off the plane, a party hat pencils notebooks, whistles etc. They also got a free ice cream, drink and fruit salad. (I love free stuff). Tayden found a few friends so went off with them for the day and we saw him occasionally when he wanted money. lol. The kids had a blast and had many rides on the mini cars and bouncy castle. There was a skydiving display and of course the horses.



Sean and I had a flutter on all the races and I had 3 wins. I backed the only NZ horse in one of the races, it wasn't a favourite so it was paying out a fair bit. I am now kicking myself for not putting more on it and having faith in the NZ horse with the pink rider (much to Kahaylas delight) as it came in first. It was a rush though, and I came away smiling.


The winning NZ horse.

We also went in the draw to win a family trip to Bali and I was sure either Sean or I had the winning ticket. But no we weren't lucky that time, maybe I'll have better luck winning the 20 million lotto draw...

On the way home I managed to take a picture of a road train we passed. This one was a amall one, sometimes we see them with 4 trailers or 3 longer trailers than this one, they are quite impressive, and manage to stick to a good speed (no hills to slow them down I suppose).

School Photos

Well I'm scraping the barrel with the previous post and this one. I know that there isn't anything of interest on the agenda for the next few weeks so the next few posts will be quite trivial, so bear with me!!!

I have just scanned the kids school photos and emailed them to mum and thought I'd post them on here, as something to post.

I really liked the kindy one, I think its cute.