DIARY OF AN AUSSIE WOMBAT

WELCOME TO ELLENBRAE STATION

BEST SCONES ON THE GIBB!

Dad turned off the Gibb River Road at a sign made from two car bonnets with a "Welcome to Ellenbrae Station" 5 kms -> as we followed the road which was very rocky and 4WD-ie, mum navigated or rather 'rock'a'gated' looking out for sharp big rocks that could either shred a tyre or fly up crack a window or bust a diff... (I really don't know what that means) but mum knew when dad told her, so it must have been an important job as mum hardly ever listens to dad lately... There were two creek crossings on the way and at every one kilometre mark, there was a 44 gallon drum lid with a different message to travellers. At the 5 km mark, the lid read "Welcome to Ellenbrae. Not much further", at the 4 km mark, the lid read "Best Scones on the Gibb", at the 3 km mark it was "keep going... waiting to see you", the 2 km mark read "Not much further now".. and the 1 km mark said "You can almost see us!" I laughed... then dad said 'whoohoo'.... I thought that perhaps we had arrived at the Homestead, but no, there was another sign with 'steep and rocky creek crossing'. Dad stopped the car just before the crossing and knowing that his tyres were already 'let down' to cater for the sharp rocks that were scattered across the dirt road, he put the Patrol into 4 wheel low (whatever that is) and the Patrol did its' job, as did the Penguin van and both slowly made the way across the creek. Dad was happy as he saw there were some parts of the creek that were really deep and he said it helped a lot that the water was so clear, he could see the bottom and which parts were sandy and which parts were rocky.

We drove for about another 500 meters, and there it was, a beautiful homestead with wonderfully manicured gardens and even lawn? What the? Thought this was the outback Kimberley's of Western Australia. We were met by two people Jason and Karen. Dad talked with Jason and booked for three nights and Karen and mum immediately clicked and "got on like a house on fire", personally I can't see how a house on fire is a good thing, but in this case I guess it was judging by the laughter they shared.

We were directed to which campsite to go to, as there were a few, the Jackaroos campground, another campground I can't remember the name, and where we were to go the Ringer's campground. We drove back to the campground where we were to set up and we loved it! There was enough room to set up the awning, but we didn't bother as the stars at night were totally magnificent, and I could watch them out the window from the van at night. Such a beautiful sight to fall asleep too.

Mum and I went to look at the Donkey hot water system... yes, I said Donkey... the way that works is either Jason or Karen come down to the campsite and light a fire in a huge boiler type 'thing', it heats up pretty quickly (about 15 minutes) the hot air rises and heats the coils that hold the water from the tank (as this is the dry season Jason just uses the big pump and pumps water up from the billabong if necessary). While there were a lot of people camped at The Ringers campground.. Oh! I just realised that some of my fans may not know exactly what a 'ringer' is. A ringer was the name that was given to the fastest shearer during the time when all the sheep were shorn of their fleece. Mum's grandfather was a 'gun shearer', and he had the title of "Ringer" many times. So, the next time you hear the Aussie song "Click go the shears" which is a song about shearer's and shearing sheep, listen for the line "The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow" that doesn't mean a blow fly, it's a story about how a new young shearer was faster that 'the ringer' and a 'blow' is a stroke or a click of the shears. A bare bellied joe is a shorn sheep... Oh heck! Off the subject! Focus you silly wombat!

Anyway, like I said, there were many people camped at our campground, but only one toilet, one shower and one bath... but it worked out really well. We all took turns no one got cranky, there were some people who complained but if they want 5 star accomodation, they shouldn't have come here. I can't understand, we have such a beautiful country and they want television, internet coverage, power.. why not just stay at home. They looked down their noses at us because we think we only had a campervan not a proper caravan... Karen noticed this too and said 'don't let it bother you'.. Mum said she never did. There was a sign on the gate to where the bathroom was, and it was easy to read, even for me 'SHUT THE GATE, OR THE CATTLE WILL GET IN'. Some people decided to have a BBQ where the donkey hot water system was which was fine, but they left the gate open. Mum went over to use the facilities and she shut the gate. Two of the ladies that complained were going out, so I thought it was funny that mum shut the gate right in front of them, so they had to open it again. Of course they didn't shut it after the went in so mum shut it again. The lady turned to her and said 'we have to go out again, leave it open'... Mum had enough and turned to both of them and said in a stern voice.. "Then I hope you are strong enough to calm a (bleep) bull, when it comes in looking for a cow, they are competing at the moment to breed. This is a sign and just in case you missed it, it states clearly TO SHUT THE GATE TO KEEP THE BULL OUT, so, if you don't want to be considered a 'cow' (mum is good like this) I suggest to keep that damned thing shut like the owners want you too, lest you get evicted from your camp as it says on the rules of the homestead! Needless to say, they shut the gate when they left and didn't leave it open again. I think that the jostling of the bulls in the next paddock and the mad like screams by the bulls at night helped in convincing these people that mum was right. I told Karen what mum did and she laughed, and laughed and laughed!

We drove up to the homestead at 8am in the morning and had scones, cream and jam that Karen had made fresh... Yummo! Dad even bought a sticker with 'best scones on the Gibb" Karen got on so well with mum, she even gave mum the recipe, but she won't tell anyone, even dad! Of course, she told me.. but then I can keep a secret... nope.. don't bother asking, not telling... (actually, I wasn't paying all that attention and forgot). Bugger! We had scones again the next morning and Karen was busy cleaning the cabins so Jason served us. Mum called out "two of your best"! Jason smiled and told us these were on the house as we stayed for three nights. Karen came up just as we had finished, mum said to her "I asked Jason for two of your best", Karen replied "did he give them to you"? Mum answered quick as a flash, "I don't know, I would have to taste test all the others to see if he did... would they be on the house too"? Karen and Jason mum, dad and me all laughed!

Mum dad and I all went for a long walk and had a nice swim at the small gorge on Ellenbrae Station, and had crackers, vegemite, and water and coke for morning tea. It was very pretty... and we took some photos. The next day we decided to walk to the Ringers Swimming Hole, which was only about 250 meters away from the campground. It was a refreshing billabong, and we stayed for a couple of hours, relaxing on the sandy shore. Eventually it was time to return to the camp. I saw a python through the trees and jumped up on mum "SNAKE!!" dad said not to worry, it was only a tree python and they don't eat Wombats. I asked him how he could be so sure... Dad replied because they don't have Wombats in Western Australia. This comment shouldn't have made sense, but it did to me... and that's all that matters really.

The next morning up early and packed before 8am. Made our way to the homestead just for a final chat and a goodbye. Dad bought mum a tee shirt (they have both lost weight), with Ellenbrae Station and their cattle brand logo, 7XL which is very clever, if you turn it upside down it still reads 7XL!) They don't brand their cattle any more though, they use the microchip and tags, much kinder, and more security just in case cattle is stolen or gets out. As we drove off Karen and Jason waved til we were out of sight... "They're terrific people!" I said as I waved good bye. Mum and dad agreed.

Next stop...a quick stop at Kununurra for some supplies, then across to the town of Katherine Northern Territory! and onto Nitmuluk Caravan Park (National Park).