Kimberley - Surveyor's Pool July 29 - 30 2018
 
  Should we or shouldn't we.

That is the question.

Whether to investigate the attractions of the Surveyor's Pool,

Or return to Munurru and languish in a sea of regret........

(with apologies to Will).

We decided to look at the pool. The road is reputedly good. These small corrugations, amplified by the early morning sun as we leave the campsite, are barely felt.

     
  As we descend from the plateau we catch a glimpse of escarpment.
     
  Looking west, the Mitchell River is about 8 km in front of us.
     
  A car park, a sign with a map (without the reputed art site), and a 1 km walk to the pool.

There's a waterfall out of the pic immediately to our left, and a second waterfall behind one of the trees.

     
  So we walked across the top of the first waterfall.

There's a bit of ambiguity in our simple minds. The coordinates from the route guide tell us this is the Surveyor's Pool. The 1:50,000 map seems to label a pool about a km downstream through the gorge.

     
  Having climbed a bit higher, to cross the second waterfall, we can see along the gorge.

Our walk takes us along the left bank.

     
  A quick look back after crossing the second waterfall.

The sun will always be wrong for some things ....

     
  Inviting .... but how far up the gorge do the salt water crocodiles venture?
     
  Having walked down the gorge a bit we get to look back and congratulate ourselves.
     
  We stop 400m short of reaching the pool marked on the map - because we forgot to look at the map before we set off .....

Found a convenient place to cross the creek to the north side and bush bashed (sticky, resinous, cane grass and rocks) westwards back to the end of the marked track.

Took a pic of the second waterfall, the first is out of site to our left.

We didn't find the rock art site that the brochure tells us is here.

     
  Kimberley Heather. Same as we found opposite Mitchell Falls.

While Mitchell Falls was visually appealing Surveyor's Pool was more accessible.

     
  We stopped to ask "are you ok?"

We surmised "no" from the longish explanation about engine problems.

German couple, Timo and Francesca, had been stopped in their Prado for an hour, and believed the lack of power and white smoke meant a blown head gasket.

White smoke can also mean a lack of diesel. A different sort of white smoke. After starting the engine - it took an unusually lot of turning over - and running - it blew copious quantities of white smoke smelling heavily of diesel - there were a lot of questions. After some thought I tried pumping the manual fuel priming pump on top of the fuel filter. It felt very soft, and became more resistant after 30-40 strokes. After which the engine started first turn and didn't blow smoke. Until more air was sucked in to the fuel line, that is.

It didn't solve the problem. Just a work around. But it did allow the vehicle to be driven a few km before the problem returned. Three attempts to climb the steep hill the grader was working on when we drove into the falls. But overall a much happier couple.

An air leak in the suction side of the fuel system is easier to deal with than many other problems.

We decided to camp at Munurru after looking at the art work. The couple found us at the campsite some time later. Tired from many times leaping out of vehicle to pump diesel. With a plan for swimming, food and fluids, and a happier couple, we'll do some investigating later.

Later ..... a bit of clear plastic pipe on the inlet side of the filter to see all the air bubbles. Air is present from both tanks. Therefore try a length of garden hose between tank changeover valve and filter. Looks like success. But remember to replace with proper diesel fuel line before the garden hose becomes brittle! Add a couple of bolts to the loose bit of steel across the front of the vehicle .....

     
  We stopped at the art site #2.

Didn't find the skulls. Found a cave.

Sandstone. Very dry now but must have had a creek sometime in the past.

     
  We wonder if these are Malan Argula (devils). Unlike anything we have so far seen.

They include yellow, whereas all other paintings we've seen are predominantly reds and blacks.

     
  The Gwion are also considered devils.
     
  Not clothes peg Gwion. We have much to learn.
     
  The purply Gwion(s) at the bottom of the pic have been drawn over with the two figures of very different styles. Just as we have read.

We expected a single gallery at this site. Instead we walked around sandstone outcrops finding art work at almost every turn. We are tired after driving and feel like we haven't explored enough.

     
  After a pleasant night in Munurru Campsite, including sorting out the fuel pipe with the pinhole leak, we carried on south.

First to the other, the #1, Munurru art site.

A couple of Wanjinas, and some Gwions painted over in bottom right.

More yellow.

     
  The panel from the brochures.

Wanjinas on a white background.

     
  Partly filled in kangaroo.
     
  A different style of partly filled in.

Not sure what of.

If we'd stopped at Drysdale River on the way to Munurru we may have bought the short book that describes the sites. But alas, we didn't. We don't know if there's a map in the book.

     
  Followed Timo and Francesca to Drysdale River.

"Just in case".

The heavy corrugations between Doongan and Drysdale River hadn't improved.

There was a Landcruiser with broken rear axle just south of this crossing. And the end result of a rollover which had needed flying doctor to Broome for the "French Backpacker" occupants.

     
  We decided to camp next to the Miners Pool at Drysdale River.

Have lunch, turn the breadmaker on, go for a swim.

An arduous life .......

     
  A walk along the river bank proved somewhat frustrating.

Just out of sight could be heard the splash and flurry of turtles dropping off their perches.

The small flocks of small birds could be seen flying between trees, and catching insects, but became totally invisible once they dived into the middle of vegetation. Just an occasional movement of leaves.

Constant traffic of birds to and fro across the river. Always out of camera range.

A constant chatter of bird noises to remind us they are somewhere near.

Perhaps I'm tired and lacking a bit of patience. The corrugations take their toll on our bodies.

     
  Just downstream of where we swam a solitary fresh water crocodile.

Which soon followed the example of the bird life and disappeared in a swirl of water.

     
Kimberley - Pentecost and Ord Rivers July 31 - August 1 2018
     
Gateway
CommentsHome

Peter Wright Sat, 04 Aug 18 00:09:53 +1000
Maybe you should have chucked in a line at Surveyors Pool?
If there are Barra there are also crocs I think the rule is....
Peter


 
 
 
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