Bell Gorge

Sunday 7 July 2013

Bell Gorge

Up early at Windjana Gorge – first light around 5.30am. Walked to Gorge as Lindsay keen to take photos of gorge in early morning light using his tripod. Great opportunity for photos although evening photos probably the most dramatic. Paul and Rob took heaps of photos as well. Back at camp by 7am – Rob cooked up poached eggs and beans and toast. Took our time relaxed and then cleaned up. Departed camp at 10am. We decided to remove the arm of the spare trailer tyre as well as the spare tyre and attach it to the top of the trailer camper with the spare trailer wheel. We moved the spare Nissan tyre to the front of the trailer.

The road to Bell Gorge was in good condition and it only took us two hours. We drove through the King Leopold ranges on the way to Bells – the scenery was absolutely stunning and Lindsay took heaps of photos from the car as Robert was driving. We set up camp at the DEC campground at Silent Grove. We arrived midday – the camp was nearly full – and we set up the trailer as we will be here for two nights. I must say that we are getting better with the set up and faster. This time we erected the annex which proved a good move as it gave more shade from the hot sun.

The campground is managed by DEC and so we had the same as Windjana with showers, flushing toilets and tap water. The water tasted very nice and we found out that it was from a local spring. Costs were $8 pp as per the previous site. Volunteers were at the ground overseeing who and where people camped as well as ensuring that people paid their fees. We did not have to pay entry fee for national park entry as Lindsay had purchased a 12 month sticker for $80 from DEC. Seniors rate of course!

We had a light lunch of fruit, cheese, crackers and tea. We then drove to Bell Gorge at 3.30pm – in the cooler part of the day – a distance of 10km from the campground. We then walked into the gorge and found a beautiful waterfall suitable for swimming. Most people were leaving when we walked in and we took some great photos of the top of the waterfall. We decided to come back tomorrow and swim in the lower falls. Dinner for the night was spaghetti bolognaise, cheese and parsley. Thanks again Lucy – it was delicious and again nothing left over as everybody had worked up an appetite. We were able to run the generator until 8pm and to charge the trailer battery. Once the generator was off it appeared that was time to go to bed – it appears that will be the norm for the trip – up early 5.30 – 6am but in bed around 8pm or 9pm if we are lucky enough to have a movie being shown.

Temperature today was 33 degrees from around 11am to 4pm. Rainfall nil.