For once we had opted to stay in a caravan park. This was because our cheap camp spot had been on such a windy bit of headland we didn’t reckon we would have stayed on it overnight. Our neighbours put on their air conditioner at 6 a.m. It wasn’t even warm then. I lay there growling to myself for a while, then when I realised I was not going to get to sleep again, I decided I felt like a walk.
Not a small amble across to the beach, but a full on Hike (yes with a capital Aych). We had planned to explore the river, and walk tomorrow, but since Iwas up early today then the walk today was the better option. Darren was happy to do whatever I felt like – and let’s face it; I rarely want to actually do anything.
We drove to the National Park, where there is an 8km (5 mile) walk called The Loop. It follows part of the Murchison River gorge, at first high above it then down onto the valley floor beside the river. Hiking boots on, socks pulled up (see picture!),lots of water and a few biscuits in the back pack and we left the NP car park at around 8 a.m.
At the start of the walk there is a natural rock arch, described as ‘Nature’s window’, through which you can look down to the valley below. That is of course the first photo stop. Then we went around on the high plateau above the river, which was completely dry in parts, then had deep pockets of water along the river bed.
While we were looking down at the world we came across patterns in the rock left there by waves of sand in the sea from millennia ago. It is always amazing to think that these places, so high up now, were once underwater with enormous ancient fish and mammals swimming over them.
We had travelled pretty much alone along the upper part of the walk, but when we reached the valley floor we met with a lost Swiss family who must have all been partially deaf, as they shouted to one another as they walked together. We pointed them in the right direction (they had missed the whole start of the walk and had clambered down to the valley floor by themselves) and let them pass while we stopped for a ration of water and biscuits.
After we could hear them no more we moved on. Now we were walking on the river bed itself, which was encrusted in salt which sometimes hid a thin layer of black mud under it. The carcass of a loan fish lay in a dusty bowl. Yes, it was enough to make you thirsty looking at it.
After we could hear them no more we moved on. Now we were walking on the river bed itself, which was encrusted in salt which sometimes hid a thin layer of black mud under it. The carcass of a loan fish lay in a dusty bowl. Yes, it was enough to make you thirsty looking at it.
We rounded a bend and there was a section of deep deep water against the colourfully eroded gorge wall. It was so tempting to swim, but the salinity of the water made us stop. The family we had met earlier had stopped to talk to another Swiss walker (would you believe), and we hurried past.
As we moved on, I spotted 2 small red kangaroos who bounced away into the bushland. Darren and I were quietly trying to follow and spot them again, when the Swiss Family Loud came up behind us and destroyed all hope of seeing them again.
I was getting really tired by this stage, and walking slower and slower. Poor D had to keep waiting for me. I was at that stage when I really could not think what had possessed me to think an 8km hike a good idea. What part of 8km had I not understood? If we were ambling on the beach – no problem, but this was over rocks, down valleys, across stony river beds…WHAT HAD I BEEN THINKING?
To cheer me up, Darren suddenly said he could see the car. That sounded pretty good and I hurried to a snail’s pace to see where he was pointing. The car looked about 1mm high. It was a LONG way away.
I was getting really tired by this stage, and walking slower and slower. Poor D had to keep waiting for me. I was at that stage when I really could not think what had possessed me to think an 8km hike a good idea. What part of 8km had I not understood? If we were ambling on the beach – no problem, but this was over rocks, down valleys, across stony river beds…WHAT HAD I BEEN THINKING?
To cheer me up, Darren suddenly said he could see the car. That sounded pretty good and I hurried to a snail’s pace to see where he was pointing. The car looked about 1mm high. It was a LONG way away.
Still, I had got us into this, so unfortunately I couldn’t complain. I dragged myself along, all the time somewhat dreading the climb back up to the car. We eventually stopped at the bottom of the rocky climb to the car park. I was just gearing up for a happy 10 minute rest, when other walkers came into view walking towards us. I had to go now. I could not be over taken.
Before I knew it, it was over. Somehow it was not as painfully high as I had expected, and we were back at Nature’s Window. The Swiss Family Loud was there, and although I took a couple of pictures they rudely did not offer to move from their vantage place just beside the window (I did it to see if they would).
Back at the car park we devoured the leftover pasta from the night before. Mmm carbs.
An hour later I was asleep.
Zzzzz
Zzzzz
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