Ending the west coast on a high in Broome

When you wake up in a free overnight camp there really isn’t a lot of packing up that needs to be done.  We were really grateful that it had been another nice cool night and we got a good night sleep but of course we were still up early but at least we got to enjoy our coffee in the peace and quiet outside.  Our poor caravan battery was running low though which has to be expected when you haven’t been plugged into power for three nights and we had been drawing a lot of power with the tv, fans and lights, but the worst offender is the pump for water.  Ian even leant us his ladder so Jason could get up and clean our solar panels a bit which would make it charge faster when it got some sun on it.

Before long we were packed up and headed into town.  I did joke with Jason that there are so many things you can buy to take with you when you travel, but we have been lucky and don’t need to carry them as we have Ian who has everything and fixes everything for us.  I think we owe him a cask or two or three of his favourite wine.  The drive into Broome was nice and short, and guess what, after all that initial concern about making it to the service station for fuel, we drove straight past it as we had more than enough to get us there and some more.

Checking in wasn’t the normal breeze.  There seemed to be a lot of people with the same idea of getting in early to make the most of the day and we were all lined up outside on the street.  Ian even got abused by a bus driver for his van being in the bus stop.  He was happy to give it back as it wasn’t his van (it was ours) but it was either park there or block the road so it kind of was a catch twenty two.  Jason couldn’t roll forward anyway as the driver of the caravan in front of us had gone to check in.  I am guessing his passenger didn’t or couldn’t roll it forward.  Still nothing major and as soon as I had our swipe card I waved Jason in and we went to our allocated sites to wait there for Ian and Gwen.  I just thought it would be easier than sitting on the road waiting.

As Peta and Darren are coming to join us tomorrow we had three sites to pick from and all being next to each other.  Brilliant, except one was being watered (there is no grass so they were watering dirt, therefore creating mud) and another site still had campers in it.  I don’t understand how some people don’t think the 10am departure time applies to them and we asked how much longer they would be and they pointed to their tent and said they still have to pack that up.  Ummm yes we can see that but that doesn’t really answer our question as I guess we wanted to know if we should wait for them or just leave that site for Peta and Darren who were arriving the next day.  In the end we left it as we just wanted to unhitch and set up.

I was quite chilled out setting up slowly and chatting to Ian and Gwen.  Then I went inside and looked at my phone and remembered I needed to print off Hamish’s maths quiz.  Now because we were out of black ink it wasn’t possible for us to do it, so I rang reception.  Nope they don’t print out documents.  So in a mad panic we drove to the Information Centre but no they don’t either but at least they could point me in the direction of the library (of course why didn’t I think of that).  On the short drive to the library there just happened to be a McDonalds so after a quick lunch detour we were back on track.  Honestly we all get cranky if we are hungry so it was the best detour ever.

Unfortunately the library was shut due to the public holiday over here.  Oh dear so I just gave up and said I would have to draw it all up.  As we headed home we stumbled across a shopping centre that looked open.  We were in luck as they had a shop with our ink.  So off home we went and I managed to print it out, get Hamish to do it and send back the photos of it completed.  Phew.  By now I was just ready to sit back and have a drink.  Still we just thought let’s make the most and get a few necessary jobs done today so tomorrow can be easier.  So I did school and Jason took Kayla food shopping.

Eventually we managed to relax and went to the pool as soon as Jason got home and the cold food was unpacked.  It was a little cool for my liking but refreshing and relaxing at the same time.  We then had happy hour with Ian and Gwen before feeding the kids and putting them to bed.   I think we are going to like Broome, and if anything the staying put for 8 straight nights is going to be wonderful.

So around rolls Tuesday, this is a big day for us, it was Hamish's quiz day.  It was not really a positive experience.  He just so happened to have a toy in his hand for it and was more interested in playing with that then actually trying hard at the quiz.  I had made the concerted effort to not make a big deal out of it, but I think I went too far the other way.  Maybe I need to make him aware that it is an important test and he needs to try hard, but no matter what the outcome we still love him!  Jason said he did great on the maths side but for his alphabet letters and sight words he wasn’t even getting ones we know he knows!  Especially afterwards when I pointed to one of them and he got it straight away. 

So naturally his teacher is a bit concerned and we need to put some more effort in there.  I am not disagreeing we definitely do, but come on kid, you knew more!  Anyway there is plenty of time to work on this over the coming weeks and I might do our own little re-test at the end of the next lot of school holidays and see how we go.  I will keep focusing on the everyday school work and sight words and Jason will sit down and focus on making sure he knows all the letters and do the on-air lessons still.

Anyway after that morning we did a little bit of school and focused on getting all the washing done.  I honestly don’t know what it is with our van, but we seem to attract all the kids.  My guess it is based on the toy box outside but also the fact that Hamish brings them all back.  Still we seem to always have heaps around and that would explain why our food seems to go fast!  No honestly we don’t mind at all and make the most of it.  Probably the hardest part is just getting Hamish to have a break from playing and do a bit of school.  I try and break it down into smaller sections and he seems to do better that way getting a break in between. 

Eventually we did head out and check out Cable Beach.  Yes technically we could walk there but we knew our kids way too well and drove there.  It looks way better than I thought it would and we all enjoyed a cold milk drink up at the café overlooking the beach before continuing on.  We then drove down some random road and turned around as we couldn’t find anything too exciting before making our way to the port area.  That was pretty cool and some nice looking beaches and rock formations.  Now it was time to go back to the van as it was lunch and we were all getting hungry.  We also knew that Darren and Peta (and of course James and Sarah) would have arrived so Hamish would be ever so happy to see his friend again.

Cable Beach - perfect weather.

Someone was enjoying her milkshake.

The afternoon was filled with a bit of school and big swim in the pool and more relaxing around the caravan.  I needed the relaxing as Kayla had me carrying her on my back everywhere in the pool.  She just kept pointing and holding on tight to my neck.  At least she had it easy.  After the swim I put on a movie for the kids and gave them some popcorn, of course it wasn’t just my two, I had six in total, but I didn’t mind as they were all quiet and engrossed in the movie that I got to sit down and relax.  Jason popped out to see the local travel agent but I soon called him up and told him to get back as apparently today’s low tide was the best one for being able to see the dinosaur footprints. 

As Jason was coming back I got the kids ready and we jumped in the car as soon as Jason pulled up.  Of course though I had assumed the kids had shoes in the car, but they didn’t, so I guess it was barefoot for them.  What I didn’t expect was that it was really rocky and slippery and there was no path really so it was find your own way down.  Being the kind friend I am I just let Darren and Peta lead the way and followed in their footsteps, not daring to let go of Kayla.  Jason was in charge of Hamish who was going like a madman, yet didn’t slip over luckily.

Hamish is off (no shoes and all).

Yay, we found one.

I wasn't looking too impressed here.

Once down there we found out that the footprints aren’t marked so you need to find them.  We were in luck as there were quite a few people already down there so you just needed to look around and see where everyone was standing and taking photos!  Did I think it was worth it?  No not really.  It is hard as we have been to dinosaur country in QLD and seen quite a lot which are not only better, but a lot easier and safer to view.  Some were even in air-conditioned comfort.  The kids however loved the adventure and managed to come out all unscathed.  I however realised just how unfit I really have become.  Though in fairness that makes me sound like I was fit to start with, I wasn’t, but I have gotten worse!

The sun starting to set as we head back.

Different lighthouse.

By now the sun was starting to set so we returned home and Jason cooked up some yummy burgers for dinner.  I tried to do the last school session for the day with Hamish.  I really shouldn’t do it that late but I was determined to complete it and not fall behind again.  Thankfully it involved water and an experiment so Hamish was all on board and just for once the cartoons were over for the day!  Kayla had a little meltdown right on bedtime but after a drink of milk she settled easily and fell asleep.  We then went over to Ian and Gwen’s van (right next door so we could still hear the kids if they woke up) and sat around there chatting with them and Darren and Peta until 10pm.  By then I was exhausted and crashed into bed.  So much for planning out the rest of our stay here in Broome!

So first thing the next morning Jason and I sat down and worked out everything that we wanted to see whilst we were here and made sure we could fit it all it and spread it out nicely with school and just relaxing.  Then it was a matter of getting some school done before all the other kids woke up and I just managed to finish the big English lesson as they knocked on our door so I felt like I was winning already and it was only 8:30am.  We then headed out to the shops to stock up on some supplies for craft and general things for the caravan and not to mention a good coffee before heading into Chinatown.

Local traffic in Broome.

For some reason the chips in both our credit cards stopped working.  Jason’s went first and then mine, maybe from overuse, who knows but we had to order in some more so to pick up our new ones.  The ANZ phone app needs a lot of work in regards to location finding as it wouldn’t show me their phone number and of course the address led us to the middle of a big oval.  Yes I don’t think that is right.  Thankfully they called us right then and could direct us over the phone to the bank and it wasn’t a long walk away.

By now though we were all getting quite hot and bothered as the days are quite warm up here, especially out in the sun.  After picking up the cards we checked out a few stores, one being a pearl shop.  The shop was presented so nicely and the shop assistants all dolled up to a tee.  In we walk and immediately hit by the cool air of the air-conditioner.  Hamish then proceeded to lie on the floor, arms and legs fully spread out and tongue sticking out as if he was dead and Kayla started crawling around on the floor barking like a dog.  Yes this was our cue to pick up our kids and get out of there.

Hamish hadn’t put any shoes on either as we left so we had to resort to pushing him around in a stroller which of course Kayla wanted to sit in and this was creating a few dramas.  After another half an hour or so we called it quits and headed back to the van.  We will definitely be going back but maybe when it is a little cooler.  So back at the van it was time for some more school and craft and then relaxation.  Honestly I think if I didn’t leave this van park all week I would be very happy about this but at the same time there is a lot to do here so I would be disappointed I didn’t get out and see it all. 

We just hung around the caravan park the rest of the afternoon until it was time for the Stairway to the Moon.  I just could not get my head around how this was going to work as normally you see the moon up in the sky well before the sun sets.  There were markets down there too so we headed down a bit earlier so we could get a park easily and browse the markets before the moon rose.  The markets weren’t as big as I expected and whilst there were a lot of food stalls around they were all quite expensive, especially when you are paying $20 for a basic kid’s pizza that wasn’t in my opinion worth it. 

After getting some food we all went and sat on the lawn to reserve our spot for this special moment.  The kids however found this very boring, sitting around for an hour waiting for a moon to come up.  So we took it in turn to take them over to the playground to use up some of their energy.  I wasn’t convinced we were in the best spot to see the moon as there was a little pier out to one side and people were sitting out that side.  There were more on our side but obviously we both couldn’t see the stairway to the moon perfectly so one of us had to be wrong.  Unfortunately I had left my phone in the caravan so couldn’t google and check the best spot to watch it from.

Everyone waiting for the staircase to the moon.

Well worth the wait.

It is weird as it goes dark with the sun setting and then all of a sudden you see a real orange glow off in the distance.  Yep we had the wrong spot to view it from.  Don’t get me wrong, you can still see it in all its beauty but the photos of the Stairway to the Moon are as good as you get with the big black section of where the dirt pier is.  So Jason, Ian and Gwen went to find a better spot and I took the kids and headed back up towards the markets.  We stopped up a bit higher and took it all in and the kids were impressed but then we went to the markets and got them a little toy each and went back to meet Jason, Ian and Gwen near the little cemetery that was there. 

Jason of course walked all around the gravestones looking for us and calling out but I couldn’t hear him.  I was off to the side (no way was I going to stand in amongst them in the dark with kids) and of course he stumped his toe looking for us (later on he joked with Ian and Gwen that he had tripped over a gravestone on a full moon!).  It was crowded and noisy so it had been hard to just see each other and hear anyone calling out.  We then made our way back to our car and thankfully could get out easily, some others didn’t look like they would be as lucky based on the way they were boxed in.

Back at the van we put Kayla to bed as she had fallen to asleep in the car.  I then went over and chatted with Ian and Gwen whilst Jason put Hamish to bed.  I was going out to the outdoor cinemas with Peta to see Pitch Perfect 2.  It was awesome and the old cinema had so much character.  Best bit of all I got to have my packet of jaffas all to myself.  It is just a pity that they aren’t showing any of the kids’ movies so we can’t take them there to enjoy it.

Waiting for our movie to start.

Pretty well kept really.