Woke to another brilliant, but cold for a nice change, morning. Temperature was around 9C when we got up just before 7.00am (central standard time, which is 30 minutes behind the eastern states). There was still enough heat in the fireplace to get it all fired up again so Glen could boil some water to clean out the camp oven. It had been put to good use last night roasting a leg of lamb to perfection!
With only a short drive ahead of us, nobody was in a hurry – strangely we still found ourselves packed and on the road just after 9.00am. The only points along our journey for the day would be the Robinson River crossing and the turn off to Seven Emu Station.
The Robinson River crossing was one we had be warned about by various people along the way – “keep to the right to avoid the deep hole” was a common theme emerging from the advice. What they neglected to tell us was whether we needed to keep right when heading from east to west or from west to east. When we arrived at the crossing it was obvious (keep right when headed west) and the wide crossing was made without any misfortune.
The road conditions were generally pretty good with only the occasional pot hole, bull dust or rutted section to navigate. Seven Emu Station is the very first freehold cattle station owned and managed by the local indigenous people. Frank, a direct descendant of the original owner, greeted us as we arrived at the station office to check in. Being unable to read or write, Frank asked Wendy to complete the paperwork and receipt as his daughter, who normally looks after such matters, was off in town getting a vehicle registered. She had been delayed because the doors continued to fall off and there were questions raised regarding the car’s road worthiness, according to Frank.
After checking in, Frank borrowed a 4WD from his son and led us to our campsite on the banks (high above on the cliff tops) of the Robinson River. Before leaving us to set up, Frank gestured towards our kayaks and said with a warning tone, “you won’t be using them things here will ya? There’s a big salty just below the campsite and he has no prejudices – will eat any kind a’ fella”.
It was after we set up that Wendy and myself went for a drive downstream along the clifftops to take in the spectacular views and during one stop spotted the croc we had been warned about – with very good reason – a real big one!
We have 2 nights here at Seven Emu Station before pushing off into the Limmen National Park, north-west of Borroloola (which hopefully will have mobile phone reception – we’re keen for more positive news regarding Max’s progress).