Day 3 with Papa and we are all beginning to feel like it has always been this way. Today we are off to explore Millstream-Chichester National Park. We forgot to add that Boaz and Timna decided to go out in sympathy with Benj and not swim for the week. Boaz developed an ear infection the day prior to benji's injury and timna the day after!!!! So, with some minor changes to our plans due to reduced swimming capabilities, we set off.
We finally come face to face with the much read about iron ore train. These trains belong to Rio Tinto and they are transporting iron ore from any of the 14 Rio Tinto controlled mines to the ports of either Cape Tambert ( near Point Samson ) or Dampier. There is one train driver responsible for 234 iron ore cars each with a loading capacity of 112 tonnes. A fully loaded train will weigh 31,000 tonnes and be 2.4 kms in length!!! You don't want to get caught at the railway crossing when one of these are coming through!!!
Just to show how close you sometimes drive to these incredible trains. We thought the 4 trailer road train was impressive.....not so after driving alongside one of these. This one is empty and heading back to be refilled.
E.C.S.
Getting a closer look at the railway line.....actually look at what Rob has in his hand. Isn't he romantic.............
Noooo.......... all in the name of some beautiful wild flower photography. A wee bit on the windy side and Rob needed an assistant to hold the flower so he would get the perfect shot. We must say, not a bad picture!!!
Millstream Chichester N.P is home to the Yindijibarndi and Ngarlumu indigenous people. It holds great cultural and mythological importance. Millstream is the home of the serpent/warlu. Due to the serpents presence, they believe all the pools warrant a high level of respect. We learnt that to show your respect you are supposed to do 2 things. 1. prior to entering the water, take a mouthful of water, spit it out and introduce yourself to the serpent, and be grateful for the opportunity to swim in its water. 2. enter the water with as little fuss as possible.
This is the Visitor Centre. It was the homestead of the Millstream Pastoral Station, from 1920 till 1964. It then became a tavern till 1986. Now it is managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The Yindjibarndi people have opportunity to work as rangers or contract workers within the park in order to maintain their connection to this land. The Millstream precinct is also a priority one water catchment area.
The water that feeds this incredible oasis comes from a natural underground reserve found in the porous dolomite rock. This underground reserve supplies water to the people of Dampier,Wickham, Point Samson, Roebourne and Karratha.
With all this new information on board we head off to do a little stroll around the homestead.
This is a drawing by a 12 year old boy whose family were involved with Millstream for many decades. This is his depiction of the station. The drawing is very detailed and records many events that this boy experienced here.
A beautiful shady spot for our picnic lunch.
The current mode of transport for Benj. Between the 3 three adults he is never without a ride.
The Fortescue River which is one of the few permanent watercourses in the area.
Time for a swim for all but poor Benji as the noodle enables Timna and Boaz to keep their ears dry. No crocs thankfully, but plenty of fish and one persistent wasp!
Well deserved dinner back at the camp. When looking closer at this pic we notice the can of poison, sorry, can of trusty Bushmans. Prior to here, we hadn't used it for many many weeks but Point Samson is the home of the pesky sandfly or midgee. The bites are nasty and hang around for ever, and without the spray you are covered in flies and then subsequently their bites!!
Our last night in Point Samson and we get ready for a big day of driving as we will be heading to Karijini National Park. For this we head north back towards Port Hedland, and then veer inland. Our expectations are elevated as all we have heard is great news about Karijini and its gorgeous gorges!
No comments:
Post a Comment