Tonight we are camped in really nice place called The Albert Tognolini rest area. We are surrounded by well shaped hills overlooking the round many many metres below.

From last nights gravel pit camp, which was actually quite good if very basic (ie: flat ground, lots of it, and no facilities whatsoever), we drove into Newman. Naturally we found the shopping centre and although we didn't need anything spend time and money at the ever present Woolworths. There was a little delay as Elaine tried to organise the pharmacy who were unable to understand the script which has been filled without question by a large number of pharmacies around Australia!

Then fuel and water and on the road again, but not before a few phone calls were made. The drive was about 175kms making the total for the day around 240kms which is a little more than we usually travel, but the stopping point is well worth it. 

Thursday May 7

We are still in the same magic place. After anice long walk this morning with one of our travelling companions we settled done to a few chores. First we vacuum packed yesterday's shopping, then I was given a haircut. I had a small soldering job to do and I remembered to bring my gas soldering kit but......forgot to bring the gas! Tried to do the job using the gas stove, but it will have to wait until I get the proper gas. Then a bit of cleaning up, collecting wood for the bonfire, cutting it with the little chain saw followed by a major cleaning of the chainsaw. Tonight another nice bonfire with some additional people who have camped in our section under a brilliant starlit sky. 

Friday May 8

I have driven past the sign that says Karajini National Park lots of times during my working life and now finally we are camped inside the park! Hooray! 

We left our camp after a morning walk down into the valley, and obviously back again, with my walking companions pictured below. On into Karajini and firstly the visitors centre which is a fabulous steel building with an interpretative display inside. I have been told that the building photographed from above looks like a serpent. On the way to the visitors centre we saw our first ever dingo and I tried but did not get a photograph. 

Next stop the Dales Gorge Campsite where we booked in with our friends for a coke of days. One of our friends is actually related to the camp hosts. It is a great system this camp host business, in season the DEC camps have a resident host who is a volunteer and looks after the camp and welcome the guests. The price is also very good, particularly for seniors. Enough business, after settling in and having lunch We headed off for a walk to one of the falls close to the camp. Once again I was impressed with the preparation that provided a set walk down very steep cliffs to a pool at the foot of the waterfall. A short swim and then the climb back up the cliff. 

Saturday May 9

I have just finished one of Elaine's delightful meals, we eat very very well thanks to my wife's cooking skills. 

We are still in Karajini and really could probably stay for a few days more, there is so much to see. Today with my walking companions we walked the length of the gorge with a swim in the pools at either end. Magnificent stuff! The took walk took us about 4 hours and included a climb done into the gorge which is about 60 metres deep. The walk was what is classed a category 4, which is experienced bush walkers and requires a good level of fitness. We were up and down small climbs, over uneven rocks and some small amounts of water, all in all a very nice walk. The rock formations are stratas of different colours, the tree root formations are quite extraordinary, fantastic. 

Sunday May 10 - Mothers Day

.......and I am in trouble because I was very naughty and did wish my lovely lady a happy Mother's Day until mid morning!

It was our lucky day today, we were taken on a tour of the Karajini national park by people who knew what it was all about. A really lovely day during which we visited all the magnificent gorges in this huge park. It is the second largest national park in WA encompassing some 627,441ha and that is a lot of territory. The gorges and the scenery are super spectacular. The last place that we visited was a lookout at the confluence of 4 gorges that are 100 meters deep! That is a long way down from the lookout.