KINGFISHER CAMP

As expected we came across the other Kedron couple on our way into Kingfisher Camp.  The drive from Adels Grove was through Bowthorn Station - 600,000 acres of remote cattle country and Kingfisher Camp is a commercial camp within Bowthorn.  The bulldust was unbelievable and we travelled in a cloud of red dust the entire trip.  Each gate we encountered (and there were plenty of them) had to be opened and closed each time with my feet disappearing in the dust as I took each step.

We pulled up at Kingfisher Camp alongside the others, and arrived at the camp area together.  It’s a beautiful shady area with plenty of room to spread out.  The shady trees didn’t help us at all as we need plenty of sun to charge our solar panels to run the fridge.  We pulled up on the right hand side and they pulled up on the left.  After spending ages wandering around with a compass trying to find the sunniest spot, the other couple stayed where they pulled up and had lovely green grass, and we ended up in the dead grass across the way. 

Both car and van were covered in dust, and there was no shortage of water, so we gave everything a good hose down so we weren’t covered in red dust every time we touched something.

Next day we tried out our new boat loader which worked brilliantly – just press the remote control gizmo and the boat lowers itself from the roof rack of the car, and plops gently into the water.  No problem at all, and a thousand times easier than the little inflatable we had last year.

Unfortunately we saw the dreaded “croc” sign as we entered the camp area which meant no swimming to cool off from the sweltering heat.  We did see a freshwater croc lazing on the bank, but no salties (thankfully). 

On our first outing in the little boat I caught Australia’s laziest fish – a Sleepy Cod.  I think he was yawning on the bottom of the river and my hook fell into his mouth.  He didn’t even struggle as I reeled him in, so I took the hook out and let him slide back into the river and go back to sleep.  Alan caught a nice big stick, but released it as well.

We had a fire and invited Marcel and Lorraine over for drinks and pointed out the Southern Cross, which they had never seen before. 

Next morning we checked our yabby net which we’d put in the night before.  I’d added a par-cooked potato for bait (a favourite apparently) and discovered we’d caught a Cherabin (a bit like a yabby), a slimy catfish, and one and a half tiny fish.  I caught another catfish (maybe the same one I released) using the half fish from the net as bait.  Catfish are truly disgusting creatures with a coating of slimy snot over their bodies which sticks to everything. 

We cycled up to the office today to have a chat with the current managers.  They’ve only been here for 8 weeks, after owning the caravan park in Tully, North Queensland.  After being battered by Cyclone Larry, and then Cyclone Yasi which both times devastated the caravan park, they decided to sell up (after having to rebuild the park twice), and found their current job advertised on Gumtree.  They’re still struggling with the remoteness of the property – it’s a 1,000 return trip to Mt Isa to do some shopping, but they’re already keen to return again next season.  She was hand feeding a 3 day old calf who had been attacked by a dingo, but they didn’t hold much hope for it.

Today after we’d scooted up the river for a bit we dropped our lines in again.  We bobbed around watching the birdlife, and talked together about how lucky we are to be able to travel as much as we do.  We realise that without Justin running Wunda we’d never have these opportunities and we’re so grateful he’s working with us.   Alexis and Tony are giving the dogs lots of love and house-sitting, so we’ve got everything covered this year at least.  

We can’t wait to meet up with our 4 kids in Broome when they fly up to celebrate Alan’s 60^th birthday.

As lovely as our 3 nights at Kingfisher was, we didn’t feel like we needed to stay longer, so left 2 days earlier than planned.  Marcel and Lorraine headed in the opposite direction for the coast along with just about everyone else.

Our trip along the Savannah Way from Kingfisher took us through Hellsgate Roadhouse where we planned to buy fuel and make a few phone calls.  We’d had no phone service for days and really wanted to talk to our kids, but unfortunately this is what the Telstra booth looks like now:

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