Gladstone

We weren't sure where we were heading after leaving Nanga. But decided to check out the Stromalites on the way near Hamelin Pool. It's a short walk down to the beach to the board walk. It was pretty interesting and the Stromalites looked good through the water but that's about it. Bit of a science lesson then we were off again.

 We had planned on going to Gladstone camping area but had been told it was closed due to the wet weather. We decided to try for there and if no good continue on to Carnarvon. Luck was in our favour today. The camp ground managers were at the gate and let us through but warned of a 50m stretch of slippery mud. And they were right, was a little hairy but we managed to drag our big ass van in there. Only slide a little! It's a quiet pretty cheap camp by a beach and old jetty. We managed to score ourselves a prime waterfront site and settled in to stay a few days. 

It was so nice to be out of a caravan park finally. To sit outside and enjoy a magic view and sunset. Much more what this trip is about. We spent our time doing school work, having walks on the beach, doing some fishing and swimming. We met an old couple there who had been doing some successful fishing and they shared their catch. Was very much appreciated and tasted good too.

On one of our walks we came across the skeletons and skin of two dead dolphins. An interesting education experience for the kids after being at Monkey Mia. Of course Charlotte took small bone and a tooth as a souvenir. 

We had a great evening one night fishing off the old jetty. I caught 7 fish in a short space of time. I was pretty excited, even if they were too tiny to keep!!

On this trip we tend to get distracted and forget the date. I know, we find it hard!! We almost forgot Mother's Day, but remembered in time. The kids made me a lovely card each. Jake made me some Lego to keep and Charlotte made a book  mark. I loved their little gifts, who needs expensive gifts. 

Was a little sad to leave this relaxing quiet spot but there is so much more to see in this part of WA so we decided to push on.

Monkey Mia

We arrived to Monkey Mia with much excitement to see the marine life and trepidation at the weather forecast.  Couldn't believe the weather. we've waited so long to come here.  Bad luck I guess.  The resort itself is a mix of caravans, little shanties and resort rooms.  An interesting and popular place.  We set up on our beach front site.  We could look out our window and watch the dolphins swim by, that was until the rain came and we couldn't see a thing!The kids were so mad keen to swim with the dolphins they jumped straight into the freezing water.  The dolphins swam by but didn't come in that close, much to the kids disappointment.  They were so super excited to see them though and so were the adults.  We had a walk around the resort.  The kids played chess and had a swim in the hot tub.

patiently waiting

doing dolphin research

We awoke with the kids rushing us about to head to the dolphin feeding.  We had heard it was a pretty good experience but were a little sceptical as to how many dolphins actually came in.  We were in for a shock, there were so many.  We went to three dolphin feed the first day and two the next.  We all had a turn of feeding the dolphins.  Was such a wonderful experience, they came in so close and were so inquisitive and playful. Charlotte especially loved it, its all about dolphin's now....might even beat horses!  It was so worth standing in the rain for.

just us and a few friends

Jake's new buddy, Nikki

We enjoyed reading all the info at the centre and all the stats on the current number of dolphins coming into the beach.  Charlotte and Jake were fascinated by the bones on display.  The kids had to buy a few mementos and fact sheets about the dolphins family trees.

We went into Denham one day for a drive in the rain.  Such a pretty little place, can only imagine it in summer on a sunny day.  The water was such a pretty blue even though it was overcast.  Then a beautiful rainbow appeared.  Was pretty specie!

So we've now left Monkey Mia and have headed south a little to see if we can wait out the weather so we can get into some of the water logged areas.  Cross fingers :)

Nanga

Nanga Resort, what a place. I am constantly amused by what people class as resorts!! This was an old basic camp ground and rooms. The bonus being it was cheap and had free wifi. We ended up staying 4 nights, purely to wait out the weather and do school work. Plus it was near a lovely beach that I could do a few runs along.

To do school work we had to head to the Bull Pitt for wifi. Was a great spot to spread out all the school work. Once again the school work has done my head in. Tassie distance schooling is set up fabulously for kids on remote properties etc but not travellers. With some negotiating I think we have come to a compromise. We'll do as much as we can of their work and continue to educate our children on what we see on the road. The whole reason for this trip!!

The rain finally eased and we were able to go to Francois Peron National Park. Was a fun drive through the red red sand.   We left a little late, but got there in the end. Saw some beautiful cliffs and took some great photos. So good to be out and about. Then the sun started to set and we headed back to the van in the dark.

Whilst the rain stayed away we also went to Shell Beach. A beach entirely of tiny tiny cockle shells. The kids had a ball drawing in the sand, throwing the shells and doing shell angels.

Then we went to the look outs and checked out the views. Very clear torquoise water but didn't see any rays or sharks. Must have been hiding when we were there.

And that's pretty much Nanga for us. The Beesons left a day earlier than us and we decided it was time to try heading north and hope the roads were drying up.