Bell Gorge

We had a late pack up from Windjana and said goodbye to Mum and Dad who were on their way to bitumen. We however were starting our driving adventure on the Gibb River Road. Although we had already travelled a little way along it already, it felt like the GRR started when you hit the waterholes/gorges.

Unidentifiable long snake crossing the few and far between spots of bitumen.

 

Luckily the girls were awake and saw it. The girls, especially Olive will often be lulled into sleep by the corrugations. The shakes can get so loud in the Troopy that I can't even hear Michael properly talking to me, let alone sleep.

GRR scenery.

We have a "driving playlist" on my phone which plays through the stereo and Dan Sultan is on high rotation, particularly with his song "Kimberley calling". JJJ hottest 100 is also a winner as is listening to podcasts of "conversations" from the ABC? We also have a "Ruby and Olive playlist" which covers anything from Play School, Gangnam, Jessica Mauboy, Katie Perry, Puff the magic dragon to 360. Some words in 360 are turned down at appropriate times.

When we were walking into Bell Gorge (a rocky, sometimes clambering over boulders walk) Olive was singing "and the ceiling can't hold us" (Ryan Macklemore) to the amusement of other walkers.

Some of the track leading into Bell Gorge is a "roll your ankle" type track and then it crosses creeks and then clambering down steep boulders. All very rewarding when you see the waterfall and pool below.

On the way down the first time we walked into Bell Gorge, the girls were a little catious but on the  return, they hopped up and down the rocks like wallabies. They soon tired of the rocky track and had to bribed with treats back at the car.

It was perfect for swimming although very refreshing. Beautiful fresh water.

Under a rock ledge just to the right of the waterfall.

Olive basking on Michaels tummy.

Up the top of the Gorge. The next day, as we spent 2 days camping nearby at Silent Grove, we swam down the river a little more and found a little waterfall where we could feel the pressure of the water and pretty much had that part of the Gorge to ourselves. Michael jumped off a ledge twice into the water. We took Olives wetsuit with us on day 2 as she would be able to swim for a bit longer. Rubes had no trouble swimming along with us but after warming herself on the rocks wasn't so keen to get back in again.

Pretty spectacular and safe swimming. Rubes had her goggles on up here in the upper pools and had a bit of a look under the water where it was shallow.

We headed in the afternoon to Imitji store to grab a pie, some icy poles and wifi. The chicken pie was all that was left and it was yummo. Lovely high top packed with chicken, corn and everything else that goes in a chicken pie. In the rush of writing the "Windjana " post we completely forgot to buy milk n bread. Oh well, we still have long life milk and wraps.