The 12 days of Papa (part 9)

We arrive at the gates for Cape Range with only a couple of vans ahead of us. After a little discussion with the ranger, she recommends we make our way to Mesa Campground. We are explained that there is a campground host who we will meet on arrival. It is about 8.00am.  As we drive in the kids let out a squeal of delight as they see the caravan of their friends they had made from Broome, Aiden & Josh. We had also spent a night with them in Exmouth, but due to no reception we had no idea where they were going to get in.  As soon as the car stops, the kids are gone. We meet our camp hosts, Glen and Rowena, and are told the important bits of information: the bush loos are over here, beach is over there and happy hour is every afternoon at 5pm behind the sand dunes! !

That is us on the far right of the picture. We were all a little jealous of  Papa as he has the best view out of his bedroom window!!! That is the beach and the water you can see behind our van. At this point we have only one neighbour, but by the end of the day the 14 sites of the campground are full.

It doesn't take long to unpack as the extra pair of hands with Papa is fantastic. In no time at all Linda finds herself kicking back and enjoying her book. 

Hey look even Papa is relaxing with a book!!! But where are the kids???

Rehearsing with their new band of course!! On our arrival the kids discovered that the other kids had already formed a band and were planning on doing a performance at happy hour. It did not take long for our crew to become new members. They rehearsed all day. It was fascinating watching the dynamics and the processes that evolved. They had some issues as all rock bands do, but they managed to sort them out together. They elected a leader, agreed on a band name and they took it in turns in welcoming any new comers to the camp site with an invitation to their performance.

We have much pleasure in announcing the band of the hour...."Children of the Outback". And introducing the members of the band, from left to right, Josh, playing the kookaburra caller, Timna, on sticks, Chloe on the didgiridoo, Benj, was playing the hand didgeridoo, Cassie and Boaz were both playing the rocks and Aiden on the shaker.

The performance was a big hit, throughly loved by the audience. But wait there was more..... Benj, Timna and Boaz then each did a solo performance with their new circus toys. If only we had put a hat out......

The next morning we head off to explore Yardie Creek Gorge within the National Park. This picture shows Yardie Creek separated from the ocean by a sand bar. The views are quite spectacular looking back onto the ocean and then into the gorge itself. The walk starts off on a boardwalk, and then becomes a rocky trail.

Gores at gorgeous gorges once again!

After our walk it was unanimously decided that we deserved a snorkel at the beautiful Turquoise Bay once again.

This was to show Uncle Ally and Linda that Papa could still make pretty awesome sand cars.

One thing about the Coral Coast this time of the year, the WIND!!! The locals call it "Blowvember"! But boy it makes for good kite action. Very sad though, for today is the day Papa is to return to Melbourne. We have tried many tactics to get to him to stay with us, the airport is closed cause it is too windy, missed the plane, but unfortunately Nanny is waiting for him to return. But, before he leaves we try to pack just a little bit more in.....

This is the SS 'Mildura wreck, the 1907 cattle ship wreck.

The BIG Prawn at the Kailis Exmouth seafood store about 25 klms south.

This is taken during our drive to Charles Knife Gorge. This takes you through the east side of Cape Range National Park. After all our talk about trying to miss the plane, this road was quite poorly marked, and we just seemed to keep driving further up into the bush with no where wide enough to chuck a u-turn. Kids were hoping this was the dirt road that linked to Yardie Creek back on the west side of Cape Range. Initially it baffled us as to how we did not notice these ranges from the main road. Mystery solved when looking though our pics for the blog, we realised that we were all drawn to the ocean views as we were driving through and no one was looking on the other side of the road!!!  

Uunfortunately we found a safe place to stop and turn and after the last photo of scenery for Papa, we continued back on the road to Learmonth Airport.

At the airport with Papa, kids thought if they hang on long enough and tight enough he just might miss his plane!

During last nights happy hour one of the mums Sam, came up with a plan. A very exciting plan. All mums shoud embark on a little adventure involving sunset viewing with wine at the lighthouse, followed by dinner at Pinnochios in Exmouth. This is Tania, Sam and Rowena. Tania and Linda have known each other from Broome and Sam and Rowena met here at Mesa about 2 weeks ago. It was a hilarious evening for new and old friends alike. Linda thanks the girls for the adventure and she wished they had counted the number of kangaroos on the way home.... and so glad it was not her doing the driving!

Papa, we had so much fun with you. How lucky we were that you came and shared part of our adventure with us. It felt like it was just meant to be, with you in the van and the car. Nothing was too hard for you and you were just so easy to please. Dad, the initial seed of this adventure was planted by you many moons ago, and we were so pleased that you were able to be apart of it with us. Our only gripe is that the time was too short and it went way too quickly. We love you, and thank you.