Well this has been a long time
coming. We’ve been out of service for a
lot of the time or just hadn’t had the time…. So sit back and enjoy the next
episode of the Storz Adventures. This
next one takes us from Cooktown – leaving our caravans at Lakeland Van Park and
heading up to the tip by car and tent(!!!).
I have to add that at the time of writing this, we have become very very
over the air mattress thing and can’t wait for the creature comforts of our
beloved van………….
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| Fire - Cedar Bay NP |
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| Bloomfield Store |
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| Bloomfield River |
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| Wujal Wujal Falls |
Monday 11 June 2012 - Cooktown
We set off to explore the top section of the Bloomfield
Track (having done the southern section north from Newell Beach on our way up),
going down as far as the Aboriginal Community Wujul Wujul and stopped off to
see the falls there. They were
spectacular!!!! The rocky trek in to the falls wasn’t too good on Roy’s knees
though, but he made it and it was worth it.
By the way – they (knees) are getting stronger by the day – all this
exercise. Bloomfield has population of 6 with one store.
When we got to the Bloomfield River everyone had to take
their vehicles across and back, just to say they’ve crossed it (but it was
nothing more than a weir – at the time anyway). How touristy! Back to the Lions
Den for lunch and blow me down who should walk in but Darryl and Joanne
Jenner. We didn’t have time to talk for
long as they were just checking in for the night to a safari tent and we were
having lunch and moving on. What a
great little pub – you should all get there one day if you’re in this neck of
the woods, as they say.
This section of the track is easy…. But mind you, its quite
dry now. The southern end is very steep
in comparison.
Home again and a stop off at the pub for an alcohol stockup
in readiness for the trip to the top.
Chicken Kievs for tea. Yum!
Tuesday 12 June 2012 - Lakeland
Roy has just discovered the problem he’d been having with
the ARB not working properly (after buying a new battery) – it turns out it’s
the fuse holder - it had melted. That
solves that – and, fingers crossed, the CB is still working!! So after saying goodbye to the others at
Cooktown, we headed off for Lakeland where we are to store our vans for the
duration of our trip to the top. I
spent a stressful afternoon trying to downsize what we were taking for the
trip. To add to the stress we found out
that we weren’t going on to the powered sites we had organised for the storage
period for the van, which meant I had to sort out all our cold stuff too, it
was a very trying afternoon. We had tea
at the Lakeland Pub that night and to brighten things up – they had my
favourite on the menu – Spag Bol. The
temp has dropped to 13 degrees so the blanket we were going to leave behind, is
now coming!!
Wednesday 13 June 2012 – Archer
River
We called in to Split Rock (Aboriginal Rock Art) on the way
to Archer River, which was an uphill walk in the bush but really worth it to
see the original rock paintings. Archer
River is spectacular – we camped on the river bank (our first free camp) and
after setting up, we had a refreshing dip in the creek where I saw my first
croc slides – but apparently they are just freshwater ones – nothing to worry
about – sure!!! The roadhouse had their
big screen up and running for the 2nd State of Origin match –
needless to say that’s where we spent the night. Quite an eyesaw – a mixed
crowd - and a good time was had by all.
Of course to make it all sweet – the Blues won!! Ooops…
The CB has stopped working again!!
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| Split Rock Art |
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| Archer River |
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| Archer River |
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| Bramwell Jnct |
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| Queen St - Bramwell Jnct Roadhouse - Lunchtime |
Thursday 14 June 2012 - Eliot Falls NP
Don't think that you're going to be isolated up here - there are vehicles everywhere and its only going to get worse with the school holidays coming up. We did see some quaint setups including a quadbike sort of contraption that ran out of petrol 100m from the bowser. We helped push him the last little bit!!!
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| Bramwell Jnct |
We called in to Fruit Bat Falls on the way up to Eliot/Twin
Falls. Roy and John had a well earned
dip - what a beautiful place! At Eliot
Falls we stayed in the national park which was crap. I’d recommend to anyone coming up this way, that they stay at
Canal Creek, which is just up the road a bit (2km) on the OTT and is lovely -
and free. Both Eliot and Twin falls are
spectacular, but I thought Fruit Bat was the nicest.
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| Ford Crossing near Fruit Bat Falls |
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| Twin Falls - Roy and Helen |
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| Eliot Falls |
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| Twin Falls |
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| Fruit Bat Falls |
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| Carnivorous Pitcher Plans |
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| Eager to get across the Jardine |
Friday 15 June 2012- Loyalty Beach
Off to Loyalty Beach, 1km north of Seisia. We opted for unpowered waterfront
sites. The view from this park is
breathtaking especially the sunsets!!! And to top things off – there is a
restaurant and bar right on the beachfront.
What more could one want for your holiday!! Of course, that’s where we headed that evening. I discovered they have the best cocktail
here, called “Croc Bite” (very fitting) - bloody yummy and made
on Baileys…Ummmm…
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| Croc Bite |
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| Croc slides outside our camp ground - Loyalty Beach |
We were woken during the night by horses running through the
park and right beside our tent. We
wondered if the resident crocs might be chasing them…. I didn’t sleep well that
first night, imaging all sorts of croc things, but got used to it after
that. There are croc slides all along
the beachfront in front of the park (apparently they come in at night – but
don’t play up)… We found out that the
horses in Seisia and Bamaga are all owned by someone and that they just run
around freely.
Saturday 16 June 2012 – Loyalty
Beach
Lenny was our guide this day and led us, firstly down to
Mutee Head for some fishing.
Unfortunately we didn’t catch anything but had a good time trying – as
you all know, you get that sometimes!!
Roy and John tried to get their vehicles onto the beach but that wasn’t
on the cards either. Next we headed to
the crash site of a DC3 that went down during the war. This was pretty sobering!! Then on to the jetty at Seisia to observe
how the locals catch their fish, and then we did some touring of the
suburbs. Good job Lenny!! The water up
here is so tempting, but the crocs are always at the back of your mind. Mind you – the locals don’t let the crocs
stop them swimming at all. I guess it’s the same on NSI with the sharks… I
wonder why they don’t have croc enclosures?
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| DC3 wreck - Bamaga |
Sunday17 June 2012 – Loyalty Beach
We tried our fishing skills again at Mutee Head, but once
again no go. We finally had our first
campfire – and a yummy camp oven tea.
Roast Lamb – my favourite!!
Isn’t it funny what you notice - not having camped in a tent for so long
– I have become aware of the sound of zips unzipping during the night. Ha ha
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| Mutee Head |
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| On the jetty - Seisia |
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| Seisia |
Monday 18 June 2012 – Loyalty Beach
(Thursday/Horn Is Tour)
We had a wonderful day with a small charter of 13 on a
sharkcat named “Strait Runner” (Cape York Adventures). Two young men were our
skipper and decky and they did a very professional and fun job. On our way out to and back from the islands,
we stopped to troll, with one man landing a trevally on the way out and on the
way home a woman who said she’s never fished in her life, caught a huge 4ft
long barracuda. What a buzz!!! Our first stop was to TI, where we did a
tour of the island (we even had time enough to call in to a pub and have a
quick beer) and then went for lunch on Horn before doing a tour of the War
Museum there. I saw my first crocs in
the wild on this tour. I’d recommend to
anyone coming up here, that they do this tour or even a fishing trip with these
guys. (John Charlton, Cape York Adventures).
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| Loyalty Beach |
We had tea at the restaurant at Loyalty – on the beachfront.
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| Loyalty Beach |
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| Loyalty Beach |
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| Croc - Horn Is |
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| Thursday Is |
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| Thursday Is |
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| War Museum - Horn Is |
Tuesday 19 June 2012 – Punsand
It was early afternoon when we arrived at Punsand, which is
on the north western side of the tip, so Roy and I decided to go straight
up. Roy (and Jeddy) did the moon as
requested by Mr Gleeson and then we did some exploring of the tracks nearby
before returning to the campsite for the evening.
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| Moon at the top |
Wednesday 20 June 2012 – Punsand
We all set off for another trip to the top and to explore
the Somerset ruins, where we had lunch.
Then John and Maureen and Roy and I did a run down onto the beach at Fly
Point and along the beaches to the south of Somerset. Very picturesque!!!
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| We made it!! |
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| View from the tip |
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| Champers at the top |
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| View from the tip |
Thursday 21 June 2012 – Virilya
Point
I managed to squeeze in a load of washing before heading off
for Virilya Point. This is where our
convoy split up. Roy and I branched off
to Virilya Point and the others went south to Weipa. Trevor Weston had recommended this place to us and I have to
thank him for it. What a magic
spot. You would not believe this – but
our nearest neighbours here (Phil and Carmen) turned out to be old friends of
Trevor and Ann’s from them meeting here, something like 10 years ago. I keep saying it - what a small world. Phil and Carmen come here every alternate
year.
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| Crystal Ck |
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| Crystal Creek - Log bridge |
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| Crystal Creek |
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| Our faithful hound |
Friday 22 June 2012 – Virilya Point
When I was walking this morning a dingo stalked me. It was so cute - it was trying to hide from
me (behind a blade of grass). I
pretended I couldn’t see it at first and it came closer. Then I turned and
faced it and it hesitated at first then came out from behind the blade of grass
with its tail wagging. It looked so
lovely – I really wanted to go up to it and pat it but of course caution ruled
and I hurried back to our camp – knowing that I shouldn’t encourage it. When I went fishing later, it was sitting in
the dunes watching me and then it started to howl. I felt sorry for it – it looked lonely – then it wandered off and
I didn’t see it again. We tried our
hand at fishing but you really need a boat here. There’s a reef just off the shore – but we just couldn’t cast out
that far…. Our neighbours Phil and
Carmen invited us for fresh scones and jam at morning tea. There was a
gathering of 3 other campsites. (They
all come here each year and some of them stay for a few months) Yum, thanks
Carmen!! They have an unbelievable setup – washing machine, bread
maker and all… It’s a home away from home
- they have everything. Later on
we drove further up the beach to the river mouth and met a young couple there
(Rachael and Brendan) who, (once again – small world!!!), used to work at El
Questro (WA) with Phil and Jenny – you’re kidding!! A camp oven roast for tea.. yum !! It got very cold during the night – thank god for the blanket we
weren’t going to bring….
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| Friends at Virilya Point |
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| Virilya Point sunset |
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| Virilya Point |
Saturday 23 June 2012 – Virilya
Point
Once more we tried our luck at Creek 1, as it is referred
to. Nothing again. We really do need a tinny. Brendan and Rachael must have taken pity on
us – because they gave us some of the mackerel they’d caught (in their
tinny). Needless to say we had a yummy
fish tea. Phil said that the dingo I had
seen the day before, he had befriended last year. He said it used to go net fishing with him!
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| Virilya Point |
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| Filling up from freshwater ck - Virilya Point |
Sunday 24 June 2012 – Virilya Point
A restful morning – we did a bit of fishing, exploring the
many tracks around here and chatting with neighbours. Then Rachael and Brendan arrived so we had nibblies and a few
drinks before they headed off. They
wanted to get across the log bridge at Crystal Ck before nightfall and then the
next day they were heading off for Karumba.
They are hoping to be on the road for about 2 yrs.
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| Virilya Point sunset |
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| Rachael and Brendan - Virilya Point |
Monday 25 June 2012 – Sailor Ck
After saying goodbye to our new friends - Phil and Carmen
and Donna and Peter, we headed off for Canal Ck. Its school holidays now and when we got there, every man and his
dog were already there. So we kept going
to a campsite Phil had recommended – Sailor Ck and stayed the night there. There wasn’t a sole around – just us. Another fire tonight!!! But it was drizzly so we didn’t get to
really enjoy it.
Tuesday 26 June 2012 – Bramwell
Station
What a great spot.
It has GREEN grass and a bar!!!!
First thing I did was the washing – I couldn’t have stood another night
with red dusty sheets. We had tea
there, which was steak, chips and salad.
Very nice. For entertainment
they had a stirrup hanging from a piece of string that you had to swing and try
to hook up on to a 3 inch nail that was sticking out of post a few feet
away. Very entertaining!! A couple that sat with us for tea told us of
their bad luck with a car fire. A few days earlier, (just on the north side of the Jardine) the back section (canopy)
of their twin cab, started billowing smoke.
Luckily, the fire was contained in the cabin – the rest of the car was
ok. They were very lucky to only lose
what was in the canopy – but mostly all their camping stuff was lost – stove,
fridge, tent etc. It could have been a
lot worse!! That was the end of their holiday of course – they’re headed
home!! They don’t know what caused the
fire.
Wednesday 27 June 2012 – Bramwell
Station
We had a leisurely morning at the station and then went up
to Palm Creek to watch the local creek crossing entertainment. Palm Ck is the first of the creek crossings
on the southern end of the OTT. They
are saying that this one is worse than the legendary Gunshot, which is the next
one up. My god you should see this!!!
One lady I was speaking to had crossed it a few days earlier and said it has
become a hell of a lot worse. This is
something that you only need to be a spectator in….. But it sure was fun to
watch. There were queues of vehicles
all lined up keen to have a go. Even
a guy on a motorbike had a go – he breezed it across. The tops of the creek sides were lined with spectators. It isn’t the creek crossing that is the
killer – it’s the slippery mud on the other side. Steep and slippery. 8 out
of 10 cars and campers made it without having to be winched up…
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| Action at Palm Creek - OTT |
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| Bramwell Station - Friendly Pig |
Thursday 28 June 2012 – Weipa
Before leaving Bramwell – Roy helped a camper near us, to
shoooo away the resident station pig, that wanted to play with his “not so
friendly” Staffy. The pig kept nudging
the dog, but the dog was not happy. Roy
came to the rescue when he could see the dog owner was having trouble holding
his dog back. Good on ya Roy!! We then headed off for Weipa, scoring a
great site just one back from the waterfront and we opted for power so I can
get this BLOG out of the way. Oh by the
way, the CB IS working again once again!! We spent the arvo on a Mine Tour we’d
booked, and then we caught a cab to the Bowls Club for tea. It’s a nice little club. I like Weipa.
Friday 29 June 2012 – Weipa
We decided to make this a site seeing day, so cruised off to
the north of Weipa to see Pennefather and Stones Crossing. Pennefather was absolutely beautiful – the
colour of the water like a painting.
But after travelling 30 odd so km up the worst road we’ve been on this
whole trip – we didn’t make it to Stones Crossing. The last creek crossing was so bad we opted not to try it (we
didn’t even get out of the car because it looked really CROCKY) – so had
to travel all the way back the way we came…
Saturday 30 June 2012 – Weipa – Barra
Dave Charters
Rise and shine – we got up very early in preparation for our
fishing trip at 7:30. We chartered
Barra Dave at $140/pp for a half day trip.
(It was only Roy and me) What a
buzz! Of course we had to have a bet on who got the biggest fish and of course
there is a dispute on. Roy caught a
lovely 10kg tuna, and it really gave him a fight. He did the right thing and released it. And then I caught THE
MONSTER mackerel, which Dave said would have to have weighed a massive
17kg. I have to say I was buggered,
sore and shaking afterward. But (shock
horror) after I got it landed in the net, Dave dropped it !!!!! – so this is
the dispute!!! (Mary, you needn’t
have a say in this because I know what you’ll say)!! Anyway I am sticking to my opinion that I
have to be the winner ha ha ha…
Whatever – we had a ball and to top it all off with– we didn’t bring
ANY fish home, so Dave gave us some of his mackerel fillets from
home….. Between us we both caught a few
baby black tipped whaler sharks and Roy caught a nice cod, which he also tossed
back. It really took it out of us (this
catching BIG fish). Roy has gone to bed
for an afternoon kip (poor old thing)!!
A good day had by all… Guess
we’re having mackerel for tea.
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| 10Kg Tuna |
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| 17Kg Mackerel - Helens |
Our Jeddy has been the best travelling companion. He never complains and is shut up more than
I’d like him to be. Luv you Jeddy!!
Sunday 1 July 2012 –Weipa
Another siteseeing day – this time we headed off to Mapoon
in the north and on to Cullen Point and Janie Creek. Janie Creek was exceptional.
At the end of the 15 or so km to get there (along the beachfront) is a
turtle retreat and camping ground.
Absolutely lovely. We spent a
full day exploring and are looking forward to a Fish Fry in the park, for tea –
and early to bed.
Monday 2 July 2012 - Weipa
Finally concentrating on the BLOG and getting it off. We’re heading off for Portland Roads
tomorrow, so will be out of service for a while again.
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| Weipa sunset |
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| Weipa |
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