Day 40 – Wed, 18 Aug at Lake Argyle

I haven’t adjusted to WA time – the sun rises still the same as in the NT but it is 1 and 1/2 hours earlier. So the sun sets earlier and rises at an ungodly hour. By 7 am it was quite warm, actually hot. Hopefully it will get better as I head further W.

I decided to stay another day here at Lake Argyle so the morning was just hanging out, a bit more swimming, followed by lunch and then the real reason. I was taking a flight by float plane from Lake Argyle across to the Bungle Bungles (to the E) back over the Argyle Diamond Mine and back to the Lake again. About 3 hours in all including a landing on the Lake to visit a deserted island and have afternoon tea.

What a day, but the big news is that I am a grandfather again. Kelly had a boy at around 10:30 this morning, Benjamin James and I received text messages. Well not exactly, you see at Lake Argyle there is no Telstra mobile service. I was flying above the Kimberleys returning from the Bungle Bungles when I decided to check what time it was – I use my mobile as a watch.

I noticed that I had a couple of text messages and that I had service. Reading the messages I was told I have another grandson, 3.68kg (8lb 8oz in old money) and everyone is healthy. Congratulations to Kelly and Andrew, and Benjamin’s three sisters, Kimmy, Nessa & Sammy.

I shared the news with the rest of the people on the plane (8 of us), even the photo that I had received. The news was really a highlight, but the awesome landscape below, just so vast, couldn’t be missed.

Look I know you read things and see documentaries, but to experience it first hand is just exceptional. This truly is a bloody big country, and simply mind blowing.

The people who live and work here on the remote cattle stations and the mines, are just exceptional human beings. The remoteness of the area is incredible. If you ever have the chance just come and see it for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

Remember, you can click on any photo to enlarge it, I am not a particularly good photographer from the air it takes someone with more skill then I, but I hope you get a feel for this incredible landscape. 

At the S part of the Lake fires are still creating a smoke haze visible in the last photo as we said goodbye to our float plane and Adam our 28 year old pilot. This service has only been operating for 4 weeks, even though he has been flying in the region for the past 5 odd years. He and and his partner, and their respective personal partners have started this business with some financial support from a 40 something entrepreneur. I wish them all the success for our flight was informative and enjoyable.

Oh by the way, the take off and landings were a real highlight, the first time I have ever done this in a float plane. So smooth – not sure I would want to do it in rough water though.