11th September, 2014

This morning we were up bright and early, aware of the fact that it was going to be 40 degrees and we wanted to do a 3 k walk at Geike Gorge. We didn't get away as early as Clare would have liked but we left camp at around 7:30. On the way to the start of the walk we came across two Brolgas crossing the road. Clare was very excited, she had wanted to see them all trip and now she had. They are a very big stalk like bird and when they flew off their wing span was huge.

We started walking at about 8:00. The walk follows the western side of the gorge, sticking closely to the Devonian Reef and then ends when the river meets that side of the gorge. We then walked back along the sand, hugging the river bank. The colours in the gorge are amazing and they contrast the deep green of the water beautifully. You can go on a boat cruise but our funds have really dried up so the walk had to suffice. We did manage to see a freshwater croc and plenty of fish in the water.

On the way back through town we stopped off at the Old Fitzroy Inn. As we were walking in to have a look at the Art Gallery that now forms part of the Inn, we were welcomed by an old Aboriginal Fella, Bob. He was sitting on a chair under a big Boab tree and showed us a Boab nut he had just carved/ etched a drawing into. He was using a butter knife with a bit of clear tape wrapped around the handle, he tells us he sharpens it on the concrete, to etch his drawings into the nuts. We purchased one off him which he had etched a couple of Kangaroos, a Goanna and a Turtle into, for $25 and we also asked if we could take his photo so we could remember who had carved it, he obliged. In the Art Gallery the same thing was $40, Bob was onto something sitting there. While we were there we saw three Brolgas drinking in a puddle in the Fitzroy River.

From there we headed to the Dr Sawfish Glass Blowing Factory. We met Dr. Sawfish and Trent wanted to buy one of his hand crafted marbles. Trent had been trying to decide which one to get and had two he would have liked. He choose one and bugger me dead if the bloke didn't throw him in the other one he liked and few stickers for nothing extra. Not sure how Trent keeps getting freebies but he keeps winning.

Then we went back to camp and swam on and off all afternoon before heading up to the pub for another drink with a couple we have met from Sydney, Dave and Linda. The kids amused themselves for the hour at the campsite.