1st Update from Gibb River/Kimberley Witnessing - WOW

Hiya all,

I know I've got a lot of catching up to do - you know - fill in the gap between the Barossa and where we are now (Prob Derby area by the time this is out).

BUT !! - I can't wait to fill you in a bit with the last few weeks - Mainly the witnessing trip.

What an experience ! !

By the time you get this we'll be in Derby (North of Broome WA) - but I'm drafting it while on the Gibb River Road.
At the present - we are camped about 1/2 way along the Gibb River Road - at "Barnett River Gorge" having already travelled West from Kununurra then North to Kalumburu and Mitchell Falls.

So.. we are resting here for a few days after what has been a busy cuppla weeks. We left Kununurra just over 2 weeks ago.

We've already done 1150kms on the dirt - so my guess of 1100-1200kms will be WAY OFF ! !

We have no phone/internet service here - nor will we have until Derby - so this will not get to anyone for perhaps another 2 or 3 weeks.

Sorry !! - but ... TALK TO THE HAND ! ! ! ! (or Telstra)

SO - we left Kununurra on Fri 4/07/08 - after a STUNNING VICTORY by Qld ! ! - Go the Maroons ! ! ! !

We stayed El-Questro Station (about 80 kms in on 'The Gibb') for 2 nights before heading off the Drysdale Station to meet up with the other brothers.

I'll put the El-Questro stuff up later (in the main update) - but for now I wanna get on with the witnessing trip bit.

SO - we had struck the Gibb River Rd in quite good order - recently graded - but still some very bad corrugations here and there and some very 'boney' sections (rocky) also.

On Sunday 6/07/08 we left El-Questro after a great cuppla days, and headed West in the direction of Drysdale Station. We camped that night just near the well-known 'Pentecost River' - and NO, it didn't take 50 days to cross. MAN - the stars were awesome that night ! !

Not knowing how deep the Pentecost was (and my diffs would have been pretty hot by then.... AND the sun was going down) it was a good spot to stay.

Mid morning - we set off to Drysdale station and got there mid-afternoon and camped at 'Miners Pool' - the selected location for all the Bro's and Sis's to stay on Tues night. That gave us a whole day to re-pack. We needed it too.

CROSSING "THE PENTECOST" RIVER

OUCH ! ! !

Tues 8/7/08 - almost the whole day was spent re-packing. eg Taking spare wheel of van and re-locating to car roof-rack (2 spares considered MINIMUM up here). Also packing extra water, literature, re-packing fridges bla, bla bla. Also making sure that we ha had no booze in the car - for 2 reasons - (1) Kalumburu is a dry community - although not policed much) and (2) Society guideline that no alcohol on organised 'Outback Witnessing' trips - understandable. All this re-packing was necessary as no van coming with us on the rough road up North.

RE-PACKING THE ROOF BEFORE TRAVELLING WITHOUT THE VAN

About 4:30pm the other 12 Bro's and Sis arrived. About 1/2 we hadn't met before - the rest we had when we were in Darwin and Kununurra.
A Bro & Sis were also there from Melbourne.

We had the Book Study under the awning of our van that night.

Wed morning 09/07/08 - the four of us (ie The Longies) set of 1st so we could drop the van off at Drysdale Station before joining the others.
Some of the road was rough - corrugations -been on a lot worse since - but still a shock all the same.

ZIP TIES AND WIRE TO HOLD UP THE "BASH PLATE" FOR THE FUEL TANK.

These have held for over 1200kms now ! !



PART OF THE ROAD TO KALUMBURU

2 of the 'Stations' were witnessed to along the way (Doongan and Theda) and then we all stopped at Carson River and had lunch before heading to Kalumburu.

JAMES, RICHARD (Kununurra Bro) AND MYSELF AT THEDA STATION

JAMES FOUND HIMSELF A "TREE-CHAIR' DURING LUNCH AT CARSON RIVER

There's a charge of $40 per car for going through Kalumburu- lovely !! Land-rights stuff I suppose - Thanks Mabo.

OBTAINING PERMITS FROM KALUMBURU OFFICE

SIGN IN THE TOWN OFFICE - CHARMING!!!

Then we continued past and camped at McGowans Island (about 20km North I suppose). Nice spot - looking West over the water for the sunsets.

Most of the day travelling - probably averaging 40-50kms/hr.

ALL LINED UP AT THE McGOWANS TURN-OFF

Thurs - The goal of being here is the Ministry - hasn't been witnessed in 7-10 yrs. Catholic Mission etc etc.

I think I'm better off not saying too much on the blog - 'cause it was a kinda 'undercover' op sort of a thing.
Suffice to say here though - it was a great success. The people seem thirsty for decent & accurate information.

Great team atmosphere amongst all. Some even cooking for those that were in the township late afternoon.

TMS & SERVICE MEETING - Thurs Afternoon

A few went in to town ship Thurs am to suss things out before some rv's thurs pm and a big blitz on Friday.

EMMA HELPING TO COOK THE DINNER FOR THOSE THAT WERE IN TOWN SHOWING THE DVD TO AN ELDER etc

On Friday - after packing up - something like 130+ pieces of literature were placed within a couple of hours + conversations and enthusiasm shown by the locals.

WITNESSING GROUP

DRIVING IN TO BLITZ KURUMBURU

We then moved on to the Mitchell Plateau... heading South for 100ish kms then West for 85kms. The road West was WOEFUL !!!. The sigh says unmaintained - no kidding.


We still did it in about 1.75 hrs - only because we were trying to 'fly' over the ridiculous corrugations. One car even lost his number plate.

This was a very full day - having not left Kalumburu until 12:30ish - it was close to dark when we started setting up camp.

Saturday - Day off. So we all did the walk to Mitchell Falls- What an awesome waterfall.

MITCHELL FALLS - BEAUTIFUL

Sunday - Pack up, Watchtower study and head back to Drysdale River Station for our last night altogether.

WATCHTOWER STUDY

A small Aboriginal Community of 4 or so house was also done on the way. A Bible + several books and mags.

We all felt really good having had 4 (and more for the rest) days together and feeling we had contributed in whatever small way to the spread of Truth.

KING EDWARD RIVER - ON WAY BACK FROM MITCHELL FALLS

1/2 OUR BULLBAR SNAPPED OFF ON THAT RIDICULOUS MITCHELL PLATEAU ROAD - THIS STRAP HELD FOR THE 100+KMS TILL I COULD GET THE BRACKET RE-WELDED ($25)

Sunday night - nice communal fire, jokes and a 'Tea-bag' puppet show (Gotta see that to believe it)

Monday - This is where we separated. Us (the Longies) are heading West from here while the others are heading East to their homes.

After speeches, pats on backs etc, most of the others departed at 10ish - although a couple called Brad and Bev stayed on with us for an extra night - wanting a slower trip home.

EMMA AND RICHARD (The organiser of the trip)

GROUP PHOTO

We stayed an extra 2 nights so we could re-pack everything back to original format - and do a heap of washing etc.

PLUS - we (The Longies - yes US ????) have been given the privilege of doing some other communities and stations West from here.
Basically some Bro's from Derby worked from the West some weeks ago... and we have worked from the East - SO there is some territory on the middle not yet done. So it's worked out well that we were heading that way.

We were kind-of a bit nervous about this - but after the experience of the last few days - it has given us more confidence.

The communities that we were to visit though weren't have as much of the political/Babylon the Great guff that existed at Kalumburu - Still some - but it should be a bit easier.

On this day (Monday)- I had the welding done for the bullbar.

Tuesday 15/08/08 -Cleaning and re-packing at Drysdale Station.

Wednesday 16/08/08 We headed west and visited Gibb River Aboriginal Community - all by ourselves. This was quite an eye opener.

After introducing ourselves to the community elders, we got directions to a lady who had previous contact with Witnesses in Derby, and we also got permission to speak to others in the community - Whew !

From there on -We met the lady we were looking for - She was so keen to read scriptures with us - took a Bible, books, brochures etc etc.





THIS IS MARCELLA READING A SCRIPTURE FOR HEIDI.

And the new people we met were not much different. Emma had a lovely chat to a girl her age - and placed a couple of books with her - and it looks like Emma may keep regular contact with her. We then spoke to another 5+ people and all similar results.

It's quite incredible - they seem so thirsty for spiritual things.

THIS IN EMMA - WITNESSING AND PLACING STUFF

EMMA & I OFF TO FIND SOMEONE THAT MARCELLA HAD SUGGESTED WE SEE.

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THE DRESS-MODE OUT HERE ?????












In the space of 1.5hrs+ we left 2 Bibles (we ran out), 11 Books, 7 Brochures + 11 mags. Truly unbelievable.

A FINAL GOODBYE TO MARCELLA

And previously in the trip, on circling back through a street we had already visited, we noticed one lady that Heidi had talked to - and she was on her Veranda - reading what Heidi and Michelle had left with her. THAT felt good.

Thinking about the witnessing trip as a whole - As a family - without a doubt - a major hi-lite of our lives - and so different from what we are accustomed to at home in 'the burbs'.

Anyway - I'll close one off for now.
Sorry for long-winded bit - but it really has been an incredible experience.

Now..... lets see if I can fill in the blanks.....???? - all 3+months of it.

In Kununurra - Sorry for the Delay

Hi again,

Sorry for the long delay.

Can't believe how time flies.

I'm probably not gonna load photos right now 'cause were off again in morning.

We are currently in Kununurra - Just inside West Australia - and South West of Darwin.

The exciting news for us is that when we got to Darwin a few weeks ago, we found out about a witnessing trip that will be in 'The Kimberley' - specifically the Gibb River Road and up to Mitchell Plateau and associated areas -Indigenous etc.

SO.. after several calls and other 'paperwork', we are gonna join the Darwin and Kununurra Bro's and Sis's on the trip. We are very excited and can't wait for the experience.

For those that don't know, this area of the 'Kimberley' has some awesome stuff (Waterfalls, gorges, swimming holes, snakes, crocks... YEAH!!)

- and we were planning on covering all that area anyway.

AND..... It's all dirt !!!.

So - by the time we get to Derby after this little trip - we will have covered about 1100-1200kms of BONE SHATTERING roads.

These roads are notorious- although they have been recently maintained - so here's hopin they're not too bad.

I've been wanting to do this area for the last 12-15years - can't believe we're finally gonna do it.

The official trip starts on Tues 8/07/08 till the following Monday. We'll head West from Kununurra for about 300kms to the Kalumburu turn-off and then head North for the 600-700 kms round trip up there.

As a family, we were probably going to be in the area a little later than that - but have brought forward our plans - so we can be a part of it.

This is a totally new thing for us - so didn't wanna miss out.

We has always planned to take our caravan along this road - this road can rip a caravan apart apparently and so we'll be taking it very easy! ! !

There's several river crossings involved - not to mention a dozen or so corrugations !!.. Dozen or so????? more like a MILLION or so ! ! !

So.. not wanting to hold our Bro's up too much - we are heading off early (Tomorrow morning {Friday} in fact).

That way, we can enjoy some of the East end of the road (El Questro for instance) and be at 'Drysdale Station' for the Tuesday night with the others.

The road North from there gets VERY BAD and some of it very,very slow - so we'll leave our van for 5 days-ish and 'Tent-It' with the rest of 'em.
We'll be camping on the beach for 3 nights up the 'top' as well as camping at Mitchell Falls.

As we (as in just our family) are going to do the WHOLE Gibb River Road, we will leave our Bro's & Sis' on the Monday, I suppose, and then we will head West - whilst they head East to home.

Hopefully when we get to Derby - I'll finally put some more photos on.

To be honest - we'd probably stay here and get the whole Blog up to date - but the trip with the others has given us less time here. BUT.. small price to pay I think for what should be a great experience.

And - I'll be 42 by then.....

HEY CARL ! ! ! ! ! A rather significant year don't you think... you know ...Douglas Adams.. and the "answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything" ????

By the way - I think I've now opened up the 'comments' thingo so you don't HAVE to sign up to be able to leave a comment.

SO.... Comments please ! !

Not too sure when we'll be in range again - it could be a month or so before we get to Derby and are next in "Next-G' range.

I SOOOO don't wanna rush this bit.

See ya later

Thanks for your' interest (and telling me off for not keeping up to date)

Rob & Co.

SOUTH AUST 2 - 22-28/04/08 - Barossa

WHISPERING WALL !

This thing is WILD ! ! ! ! ! !

This dam is in the lower Barossa.

The acoustics from the curve are such that, with a person at EACH END (yep - one on the far right and one on the near left) you can talk at normal (even low volume) voice and be heard clear as a bell. It's much like being on a speaker phone.

Hard to believe unless you experience it. It sounds like the voice is coming from the wall. Incredible.

The Barossa is very dry this time of year - but still great to visit.

Good 'ole' Jacob's Creek.

As a 'break' from the van - we had organised 6 nights in a cottage adjacent to a vineyard. It was awesome having to extra space for while.

This was part of our outlook.

James checking the harvesting machinery out (we were being given a tour)

Aust Map jigsaw. James did heaps of it !

James also wanted to cook Lunch and Dinner for the family - this is what he came up with for dinner. Not too bad ! ! !

Field Service in the rain - IT WAS FREEZING ! ! ! !

Bye Bye Cottage.

Emma had a Heart Review on Tues 29th April at the Adelaide Hospital. This is James just foolin' around. All went well by the way.

SOUTH AUST 1 - 18-22/04/08 - Mt Gambier to Adelaide

Camp Area at Dartmoor (East of Mt Gambier)

Another fire.

Sure you can work this out.

Overlooking Blue Lake at Mt Gambier- got to be seen to be believed as far as the colour of this thing goes.

This is the 'Umpherston Sinkhole' - Still in Mt Gambier. It's an old cave that collaped and some old dude planted a heap of stuff in it to make it what it is today, Quite incredible.

On the way to Adelaide -(via the Coorong) this is Heidi preparing lunch whilst we are on the move. Ummm.. yep... THAT'S a SALAD she is preparing !! She's keen ay???

Camping on the Coorong. 'Dry as a Wooden God' here.

Hahndorf - beautiful Autumn colours.

VICTORIA 5 - 16-18/04/08 Grampians - Great Stuff

At short notice we decided to head North from Warrnambool to the Grampians.

So GLAD we did !!!

With no plans for where to stay, we just pulled up in the middle of some farming area near Penshurst, Love it!

Our 1st (of many) look-outs.

This is Heidi and Emma at the 'Balconies'.

HEY ! ! - Guess what ? Heidi (YES ..Heidi !) jumped a "track closed" sign to get to this spot.

YAY ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Another lookout - this one overlooking Halls Gap.

Our camp -during the 2 days we had at The Grampians.

Next Day - off to "The Pinnacle".

This is part of gorge we went to on the way up.

The View from 'The Pinnacle".

Overlooking Lake Bellfield.

The Lookout -Great Spot ay?

James and I relaxing nearby.

Still relaxing.....

On the way back down.