Sunday 27 July

An early morning walk/run along Cable Beach then a wonderful breakfast at the Courthouse B&B. We lazed around at Town Beach before a quick paddle and a mid afternnon nap. For dinner, we shared an Ocean and Earth platter at Matsos. We have great memories of dinner with Phil and Andrea and we drank a cool beer (Mango beer for Cathy) to them.

Saturday 26 July

Off to Broome for a shopping spree and decent shower. David indulged in curry roll and frozen mango cup at the Broome market. Cathy couldn’t decide between pink scooter or pink sapphire diamond and pearl earrings from Paspaleys. Great to be back at the Courthouse B&B.
The afternoon was spent lazing on Cable Beach watching waves roll in, a couple getting married and a dozen army parachutists landing on the beach. Full to the brim after dinner at Black Pearl restaurant (where they make the best garlic bread ever!)

Monday to Friday 21-25 July

Work eat sleep work eat sleep work eat sleep work "eat many desserts". Christie had a dessert night where everyone ate sweet things until we all felt sick. sleep work eat. Watch football Geelong v Hawthorn – David cheers, Cathy bemoans Buddy’s inaccuracy “but at least I have a happy husband”!

Sunday 20 July

Overnight the wind started blowing with gusto. We had a cooked breakfast and coffee onboard before returning to Derby. After catching up on lost sleep and the Tour de France, we joined the rest of Derby on the marsh for "March Artability" and a sausage sizzle.

Saturday 19 July

Collected our new art aquisition from Mark Norval who also gave us a copy of his book. We then flew out on a seaplane for an exciting and relaxing overnight stay at the Horizontal Waterfalls. Cathy was finally able to relax after "surviving" several trips through the falls. You can view the full album of photos at Horizontal Waterfalls Album

Friday 18 July

Cathy worked at One Arm Point (following an 5.30am call out). She obviously got too much sun at lunchtime as we bought five pieces at the Kimberley Art Auction.

Mid Week 15-17 July

Work. Eat. Sleep. Work. Eat. Sleep. Work. Eat. Sleep.

Monday 14 July

David's first day at work. The first half day was spent throwing deceased computers in the tip. The drive to work is very pleasant. Pictured is "Peak Hour". Cathy had a well deserved afternoon off.

Sunday 13 July

David was "blown away" with a ride in a "Blokart" (Its a windsurfer attached to a banana lounge on wheels).Cathy was the "RFDS Doctor" of the day whilst transporting a very sick 3 week old baby from Kununurra to Darwin.

Saturday 12 July

Cathy finished her ward round early and went to check out the Mud Football. A perfect variation of AFL for the Kimberley. We attended the opening of the Kimberley Art Prize. We were tempted but didn't buy anything. Liz and Ellen wined and dined us in delightful vegetarian style.

Friday 11 July

Sunset drinks on Derby Wharf. Cathy then worked half the night resuscitating babies in the Derby Baby Boom!!

Thursday 10 July

In the evening we went to a Music Festival at Mowanjum Community (approx 14km from Derby). We saw some excellent aboriginal art and a corroboree featuring various communities located at Mowanjum.

Wednesday 9 July

The Troopy may be slow but imagine covering the length and breadth of Australia in a tractor!!! This keen tractor club are travelling from Perth to Darwin for a "meeting". They have a big trip every 2 years. Last time they went from Steep Point to Byron Bay (western most to eastern most points of Australia)

Tuesday 8 July

Cathy went off to work to find 3 medical students had arrived from the UK via India. David took John to the airport (5 hour round trip) as mother Mary wasn't available to do the drop off. Whilst in Broome, David went for an interview for an IT position at the Derby Hospital.

Monday 7 July

Cathy went off to work, whilst David and John went shopping and drinking coffee. We now have a fridge full of staples (fruit, vegetables, beer and chocolate).

Sunday 6th July (Cathy)

Cathy caught up with Anabelle at Broome. Anabelle has been visiting Noonkanbah Aboriginal community with a school group. They have been entertaining the young children with various games and activities.

Track to 6 July

5387 kms, 753 litres at an average of $1.95/litre, 14 litres/100km (or 7.2 km/litre)

Sunday 6 July

Up before dawn for a hot cup of coffee. Topped the Troopy up with diesel at Halls Creek (and another coffee for us) before heading to Derby. Cathy had arrived 10 minutes before us. It was great to be together again.

Saturday 5 July

We hit the road before dawn as we had a big days drive in front of us. Again, it was very cold in the morning but was a pleasant sunny day in the end. We topped up with fuel at Tilmouth ($2.25/litre) and reached Rabbit Flat for a late lunch (where diesel was $2.68/litre). We had a quick chat with 3 guys on motorcycles who were heading to Darwin via Broome and the Gibb River Road. The Tanami track deteriorated greatly after Rabbit Flat and we were fortunate to get into our Sturt Creek campsite just after sunset. In the remaining light we collected enough wood to have our first campfire of the trip.

Friday 4 July

Its a Public Holiday for The Alice Springs Show which started today. Many shops are closed but I was still able to refuel and shop for some food. Otherwise, I just lounged around on the couch recovering from 6 days driving. Cathy has finished working back in Melbourne and can now prepare for her flight on Sunday.

Thursday 3 July

We woke up early due to the cold. We travelled 10km/h slower than normal because we had the time. Arrived at Erldunda to splash in some fuel and my wallet was missing. We turned the Troopy upside down.....only to find it was sitting on the dash in front of me!! Diesel was $2.229/litre. After arriving at Alice Springs, we had a fantastic homecooked dinner with John's family.

Wednesday 2 July

Up early to get to Port Augusta to purchase a new fridge. Retravision did not have the one we were after but fortunately Elders did. It fitted with only millimeters to spare. A coffee to recover, followed by a long trip north to Cadney Homestead. The new fridge was so efficent our dinner was frozen solid. We managed to break it into pieces and enjoy a lovely green curry chicken. We watched the final match of the State of Origin series surrounded by Queensland supporters.

Tuesday 1 July

Lots of wild goats along the road but at least they are “road savvy” and move away as we approach. We also spotted emu’s and an eagle. Another day of very strong head winds – the fuel consumption has increased by 10-15% above normal. One casualty for the day – the fridge slowly died. Fortunately the caravan park at Peterborough has lots of room in its fridge.