17^th August: Carnarvon

We bestirred ourselves and went to church this morning. It was Morning Prayer lead by the Liturgical Assistant with recorded music (the same praise songs we use) and a data projector. The priest preached a very interesting sermon on Revelations 1 which we all found very interesting, very accessible, very informative and very scripturally orientated. It was excellent and preached with passion and conviction for the Gospel. Morning Tea afterwards and much chit-chat and so it was lunchtime when we got home.

After I had booked the next few caravan parks (that's the advantage of a set itinerary! Sites are not always available even if one rings a week ahead!), we went on the Plantation Drive – a loop either side of the river- through theplantations, stopping at any shop that was open. These shops sell freshproduce at cheap prices. Except for Bumbak's who area commercial firm making and selling preserves made from local produce. Lots of mango products. Mangoes are not in season yet of course but the trees are flowering proflically. However, wind is the problem and, even this afternoon, a strong wind from the sea was blowing. I now understand why all the trees are surrounded by very high shade-cloth type screens: wind! They are also paranoic about dust – it prevents proper photo-synthesis. One place had frozen mango which I bought as well as chocolate covered frozen mango sticks!! Of course, I had to have one of those to eat then and there!! Lovely!!

We found Chinaman's Pool which is wide and deep and surrounded by sandbanks. The Gasgoyne is basically underground most of the year and for the most part all that can be seen is sand and lots of Coolibah trees. I don't know the story of Chinaman's Pool but I suspect a chinese market gardener might have watered his crops from it. Certainly, the flood plain is covered with fine, rich alluvial soil which the plantations are based on, using water from underground. The irony is that levee banks have been built to prevent further flooding and so also prevent replenishment of the soil!

Glen and Gail took her car to a car-wash and washed all the salt from the Exmouth and Coral Bay she-oak trees off. It looked as if the paint was pealing! Ours has salt mixed with red dust and so after tomorrow's trip to Point Quobba etc, the X-trail will have a wash!

No pictures today. I forgot to pick up my camera!!