Officially start the Gibb River Road.......first camp Silent Grove!!

We awoke early in the morning by the bower bird squawking trying to lure his woman.  There amazing birds who take alot of pride in their nests, but god they get excitable about trying to win over their women!  We met an awesome older couple from Young who gave us some tips for the GRR and campgrounds to stay at, and by 7:30am we were packed up and ready to hit the road.

Girl Bower Bird doing her thang!!!

Poor bugger still can't catch a break, she didn't like his pad!

Our anticipation for the GRR was high on the upcoming adventures that we would encounter, but were soon deflated when we turned right at the crossroad and were faced with a beautiful flat dirt road.  We were expecting a bit more of a climax road seeing it was one of the most infamous tracks in Australia.  We had encountered more rougher bitumen roads along our travels, but hey, we had just started, best not to judge too quickly.  The landscape was better than l expected with the ranges and winding rolling hills on each side of the road, somehow l expected flat horizons.

What a welcome....the grater!

Finally on the GRR!!!

Everyone's having a crack at it!

Rolling ranges from a lookout...

Our first turnoff was to Leonard River Gorge with the road in being corrugated and dusty.  We met an older couple who were full of themselves stating that the walk was a class 4 walk over rocks and steep climbing and that we mightn't be able to handle it in our thongs.  They were all geared up with their hiking sticks and shoes, but we showed them that you didn't need fancy equipment to do walks, we were very experienced at walks by now.  Meg, however, didn't want to prove the point at how well we could do the walk and whined the whole way, mainly due to her thongs breaking.  Whoops, maybe the old couple had a small point, but l was stubborn.  We arrived at the lookout and the heat of the day was kicking in again, which didn't help Megs mood.  It was so not worth the walk, the gorge was semi empty of water and you couldn't really see too much.  We fed the girls up on snacks and water and started the 2.5km return walk which only took us just over an hour.  The way back was reversed with Boo not handling it well, Marty and l just cant catch a break with these two.   By the end of our walk it was certainly heating up and all our backs were sweaty.  Both girls very excited when they saw the car park approaching and were in the car in a flash with Marty cranking the air con up to full.

Off we go to the girls disgust!

Not just a dirt track...

Thru small creeks....

And up a bloody big hill!

Leonard Gorge....bit of a let down.

Happy to be sitting down for a rest!

Meg trying to say why she can't
walk back.....sorry babe!

She got over it and caught up!

A short drive up the road and we turned off to Bell Gorge, again the road was bloody rough and corrugated but we had been warned in advance so expected it.  We were following some slow bugger and sucking their dust in for most of the way with little chance to overtake.  When we pulled up, we had some lunch and packed some arvo tea and water and off we headed for the trek down the rocky path.  We arrived at the billabong and the girls were eager to jump in and cool off, we had to tempt them to keep going which worked surprisingly easy.  We conquered the steep and slippery climb up and down to the waterfall and were greeted with this amazing swimming hole.  We all stripped off to our bathers and jumped in, the water being very refreshing and cool, but it was welcomed after the hot 1.5km walk we just did.  We hung out swimming under the waterfall and sitting under the ledge cooling off for hours.  The entrance into the water being very slippery from the slim formed on the rocks, Boo taking a few hard falls on her poor bum.  The girls had an absolute ball playing on the rocks and cooling off in the water, while Marty and l lazed in the sun on the rocks enjoying the peace and quiet. Hours passed, and after the swimming my back felt a little less stiff, we had to head off to set up camp at the next spot.  We sadly left this paradise and made the steep walk back up the cliff and let the girls have a last splash in the rock pool at the top.

Australian landscapes never stop surprising me....

Very small water crossing...

Time for another walk....

We thought this was it....

...up we go....

Long drop down, look the other way Marty!

This is Bell Gorge.....blissful swimming
hole with a soft tranquil waterfall!

Marty and Boo are in straight away!

Love photographing flowing water...

Girls had to crawl up on the slimy
rocks to get out without sliding
back in...quite funny to watch!

Just chilling....

Crystal clear water....

 

Starfish time...

Selfie time!

Our turn....

Our little monkey loved
climbing all over the rocks...

Show pony....

Bit deep...

Don't fall in...

Just bliss...

Time to go :(

Little ants exploring...

Reflections....

Slip and slide time...

Who needs a playground???

Time to go :(

One last bit of fun!!!

Loving the look girls!

The magical pandana's trunk...

...and leaves.

Back to the car....

The short drive to Silent Grove was good and we pulled up to a very crowded campground.  We found a great site with a table, which meant less unpacking.  Marty and l were looking forward to some lamb chops but when we got them out of the fridge they were looking slightly worse for wear.  Even though they were green in colour Marty and l still had to smell them to make sure they were not good for consuming, bloody idiots!  They were just about jumping to get into the bin, totally disgusting.  We ended up throwing them in someones campfire, thankfully they hadn't minded.

Silent Grove campsite....make ourselves at home quickly!

Silent Grove campground was just that, silent.  So peaceful and beautiful with big shaded trees to camp under, solar hot showers, flushing toilets and heaps of table and chairs for people to use.  It was $26 per night and we were so buggered that we decided we would register the payment tomorrow.  After a quick shower, we bunked in the tent for the night, again asleep around 8am, Marty even bet the girls this time!

Bell Xxx