Mon, 27th June, 2022 Bush camp near art site near Gibb River, Kalumburu Road to Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort, Kununurra, WA

Up at 5.30am - 16 degrees so not too bad.

Got ready in case the tow truck arrived early. Walked out to the road to guide him in.

Unfortunately 7am came and went. We took out stools to sit on and had a cuppa while we waited. A car came by and it was Simon and Nat. They had come up yesterday arvo and camped by the river not knowing we were hidden in the art site area.

Lots of cars passed, some stopped to check, others just zoomed on by. One chap drove up in his Nissan to see if we wanted a tow out onto the main road but Steve had walked around and trimmed any dead branches to clear the way so we decided to just wait for the truck. People staying a couple of days wandered up to have a chat and make sure we were ok - so lovely.

10.30am - A tour group came into where we were and I asked if they had a sat phone I could use. She did so I rang Chris again to check on the truck. Craig (the driver) was delayed leaving as they needed to put two new tyres on the truck. He should be too far away he said.

I had made wraps to take with us so we had them then the truck arrived. Slowly ‘Smokey’ got hauled up onto the tray. 

Steve normally gives the thumbs up but today it is thumbs down.

Craig made sure it was all securely tied down.

Now to get back out onto the road as there is a steep dip to get over first. Bit wobbly but we made it ok with Craig’s good driving. Now for the bumpy ride back as the truck is not as smooth and comfortable as our truck is.

Craig was great and checked the straps a few times. We got to the ‘phone box’ as he called it at the Cockburn Range lookout as the sun was setting. Great view.

Craig rang his wife, Sue, as she is working at Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort and checked if we could be dropped off in the overflow area out the back. As we don’t need any services we were happy to be put anywhere and thankful as all the caravan parks are packed at the moment.

Down the road - tide is out downstream of the Pentecost River.

Across the Pentecost River - a few campers here. I had said I wanted to come back for a sunset photo of the range but I didn’t think it would be this soon.

On the other side they checked the load again and noticed a flat tyre on the truck which Craig changed. Poor Smokey got tilted up again - not sure what will be loose inside it on that angle.

Into Kununurra in the dark (7pm) and Craig dropped us off in the overflow area. Very windy here. Chris came around to give us the paperwork so I can put in a claim with Club 4x4 tomorrow. He also suggested a few people to ring to get the truck checked as his workshop was flat out at the moment.

Julie sent a text that David and Tina had had a little girl. Another one of her grandchildren born on the 25^th. They called her Adeline Alisa-Jean. Mum (Lena) was named after her grandmother, Adeline as she was known as Lena so that is why they chose that name. Alisa is David’s other grandmother’s name and Jean is Tina’s grandmother. What a lovely thought.

Luckily I had left overs so we poured a drink to drown our sorrows - haha and had dinner. Left the van closed up as the wind is very chilly.