Sun
A fast trip through to Mt Barnett Road house and then on to Barnett River gorge, about 30 km down the road. Well I don't make it all the way in as it is getting dark so I make camp. There are some 4wds camped close by so I walk over and talk, they have traveled in to the end of the road but not found the gorge, their book says its 200 metres from the end of the track. I'll go and look tomorrow.
Mon
The next day I ride in to the first rocky creek crossing and walk from there. Its only a short 150 metres walk, but at the end is a large boab tree with 3 brolga's who walk away as I approach. I look around at the end of the track, but follow the brolgas looking for a photo. There is a stone cairn, with others showing the way. I follow. About 100 metres the brolgas take off, they must have been using the same path. About 1 hour later I find the gorge, so much for the books 200 metres. At least I am the only person here. I have a paddle and then walk back. One of the stone cairns is a beauty having a tall single stone held vertical with numerous small stones both above and below it. Someone has spent a lot of time making it.
The 4wd people as they leave ask me if I made it in, so I tell them, they say that 2 hours walking is too far with the kids... They spend all this time and money coming here and a further 2 hours is too much trouble? Ah well I pack and go. On to Ellen bray station, I buy lunch and a beer.
Talk about the fires, one of them have been out putting in a fire brake with a dozer, getting it bogged in the process. They think the Abos have lighted them, and say they are out of touch. I ride onwards to Jack's Water Hole. Have a dip after setting up camp. One guy is a guide for 2 Swiss girls going to Darwin. Another guy has a 4wd with caravan. A French guy comes down and puts his foot in it by saying "I don't understand people taking a caravan on this road". Martin, the guy towing the van, turns his back and says I wonder who he's talking about? We all travel the way we think is best for us. Who are we to say how others should travel, other than the safety and damage to the rest of the community, should it not be our own decision?
Shower and back to camp, as I return some other bikes come in. I cook dinner and take it down to their camp site. They are on their way to Broome, stated at Darwin having shipped their bikes up from Dubbo. They are using singles, some KLRs and a dominator. Wonder what the French guy things of bikes?
Tues
Next day on to El Questro. The crossing of the Pentecost looks umm interesting. The base is large round rocks, the water is flowing well so it is easy to see. But the crossing is about 150 metres. No other vehicles are around for the crossing... I get about half way across and the motor stops. The water is just lapping at the carby bottoms. Removing one by tilting the bike to one side reveals water at the bottom of the float bowel. Tip the fuel back into the tank and mostly water into the river. Do the same on the other side. Bike starts up straight away. Proceed on wards till the bike stops again. More water in the carbys. But this time the starter motor produces a new sound then has trouble... kicking the bike over revels hydraulic lock. Push the bike out. Drain the float bowels and look at the bike. A crowed has gathered by this time (if you make it all the way no one would come to watch). One points out that the left header pipe is missing! It must be back in the water!!!!! I go and search. Mean while other vehicles are crossing (where did they come from!) possibly crushing the header pipe. Continue searching. Finally fined the pipe unscathed. Buy this time I am soaked, get my tools out loosen the clamps and reinstall the header pipe. Tighten the clamps, pack tools and put them back on the bike. The crowd disappears as does the traffic. I strip off and have a swim, despite the crock warnings I have been paddling in it for some time now and don't think with the traffic, that has now past, that the crocks would hang around. Some of my things dry out.
I put them back on and continue on to El Questro. Again I cross the Pentecost river but his time the crossing is much shorter and not as deep. No Problem. I have a beer and put myself down for a camp site. I also book in for a cruise on the chamberlain gorge. $33 for the cruise but this includes champers & fruit. I ride out to the start of the Chamberlain Gorge and as I park the bike see that the support strut of the rear sub frame has broken where it joins the to tube. The bit of chamberlain gorge we cruse is red sand stone about 200 metres height, with Aborigine paintings at the end. It is ok but Geikei was better value & more interesting. Happy hour is from 5 to 6 and ever one goes drinking.. even the staff. I use a piece of beer can and a cable tie to join the broken ends together, as the support is mainly in compression it should get me out.
Wed
The next morning I must be first up. The drakes come around and are after food. Not having any thing for them is a problem, one of them hits me in the back fairly hard, and they final give up and waddle off to another camp site. After I have eaten and packed I remember some old bread rolls in the tank bag. I take these off to the drakes that consume them with little grace. I pay up and leave for Zeebee springs, where the water is more than warm. Then I remember that I need a day pass for Emma gorge so return to the main campsite to get it, crossing the Pentecost yet again. Emma gorge has a more commercial feeling. There is a walk in so I proceed in.
The end is OK with a warm spring on the right warming up that side of the pool, but the rest of the pool is very cool. I decline a swim reasoning that by the time I walk out it will not have done any good. And the day pass allows use of the facilities... including the pool back at the entry. So I go for a swim there. And I have lunch, $8 for pumpkin soup and tea. The bower birds fly around looking for left overs inside the eating area, and will occupy the next table waiting for your offerings.
The road out is in good condition till the boring tar. On to Kununurra.
Firstly I go looking for tyres, but the one dealer with tyres has sold most to my fellow travelers... The choice is between a cheap knobby or waiting for a Pirelli to come in. I'll think about it. Next the welder, we line up a morning start on the job.
You can e-mail me at Yahoo. File dated 14 November 2000
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