Hi Guys, We are now in Kununurra and having a few days stop here to rest and recoup from the hectic lifestyle we are living. I'll tell you all , it is a very tough life and I am willing to take it for my friends so that you don't have to suffer what we are going through.

First things first. We were in spring creek for a couple of days as we told you. That was the entrance to the Bungles. I am still amazed by that trip, it was realy very special to finally see what has been spoken about for so long.

On the way to Wyndham apart from the flat tyre, we came across 'The Grotto'. It is set well and truely in the middle of nowhere. You are driving along, amazed at the sudden changes in the landscape, wondering how it can litterally change from one meter to the next. At some points the landscape is burnt and bare with bright green tufts of colour at the ends of branches, the trees no bigger than tall shrubs, then the next moment the trees are thick and tall and the grass is green. It changes so quickly and regularly that it is hard to remember that you traveling the same road. One thing that does remain a constant is the road kill. Lots of wallabies, roos and cows. They do not stand a chance with the weight that the road trains are carrying. Back to the grotto, it is a turn off the road indicated by a little sign that is so very easy to overlook. We park at the top of a hill that appears to show no promices at all until you look down into the cavernous opening. It is 140 steps down into a chasm to the most beautiful natural pool. Hugh, dad and pip got it, I am affraid that I remain a chicken and the water must reach at least 24 before I even think about getting in. I think the water was about 12 that day.

Next stop Kununurra. It is 100 clicks from Wyndham on the dot. An easy day in comparison to some of the trips we have done. We have a few more days here but so far we have had a little look around. We went over the ivanhoe crossing. It is a weir that is mostly closed to traffic because of high waters but at the moment it is open so we braved the crossing. I even took the wheel! In the distance was a fresh water croc sunning himself and a pelican doing the same. There were a lot of people watching the rushing water and as we braved the crossing people were taking pictures. We are now famous in peoples albums. We have also found exceptional coffee in Kunna's! I am still so missing Poppies coffee! Hugh and dad went Barra fishing yesterday so I will let him write about that. Mine and mums day was a day of personal repairs, hair and nails for all the girls (Pip, Carrie and Hiedi included). Anyway handing over to Hugh for the much awaited fishing report......

We started the day at 630 with an hour ride in a troopy to the boat. The driver didnt seem too concerned about the road condition and most of this trip was spent hanging on for dear life. We arrived at the boat in one piece although a little shaken to meet our guide, his name was Hairy Dog, and thats exactly what he looked like. He was a man of few words old Hairy, or Mr Dog to new comers, and questions were met with an expressionless yes or no and that was it. Myself, Warren and another fisherman were under the guidence of Hairy, and things didnt get off to a good start when I asked him how the fishing had been - s***house was his reply.

The trip along the Lower Ord was amazing with so much wild life, crocs everywhere including a couple that would have nudged 5 meters !! After spending an hour collecting live bait we finally arrived at the first fishing spot. All our fishing was done using live bait and close to the bank around submerged trees and branches. There is definitely a certain artform with this method of fishing as the fish much be given a bit of line before engaging the reel and striking. It took me a while to get the hang of it but I was soon catching fish but unfortunately they were all under size. I finally hooked a decent fish but failed to drag him from the snag, much to the disgust of old Hairy who proceeded to tell me I'd f..ked it up and should have put more pressure on the fish. He was certainly no shrinking violet !! but he gradually mellowed as the day wore on and would frequently reply with 2 words instead of his usual 1. We proceeded to catch of few more undersize fish until finally Warren managed a 53 cm barra, that took the pressure off as we would now not go home fishless. After numerous changes in fishing spots up and down the river, multiple croc encounters and frequent abuse from Hairy, Warren hooked onto a decent fish that you can see in the photos. This was a classic barra fight with the fish making numerous jumps and head shakes, with Old Hairy ranting and raving to Warren as he fought the fish. It was a good fish, 78cm, if it had of been 2 cm longer it would have to be released, so we ended up with some good feed. We came home with 2 keepers although unfortunately neither were mine. We arrived back to the base camp on the river to find the resident salty waiting for us hoping for an easy feed, Hairy actually put a whole sentence together and told us he was the resident croc in the area and proceeded to feed him the fish scraps. This croc was massive, about 4.5 m and we were standing about 3 - 4 meters away while Hairy fed him, absolutely awesome and made for a great end to a great day.

Not quite the fishing report I had hoped to give but hopefully next time will be a different story. Over and out.

Tomorrow Hughie and I are going to look at Lake Argyle and some of the Lower Ord on a day tour. I will report about this on the next blog.

Till next tme, XXXXX Pc & Hughie