Derby

13 May. Day 11.

Derby. 0945/1300. 225 KM.

Albeit a short drive to Derby, we were up at 6 as we had a significant pack up due to the fact we are now 4 onboard in my car plus 4 persons baggage, all our travel gear and 3 bikes ( Chris and I to share mine). Done and dusted in an hour and a half. Pretty pleasing.

Drove into town to sort out a racking issue with Juerg’s bike. We carried 3 bikes on the back of my van, Issy and Dave carried two on the back of their Triton and Gord’s bike travelled on a rack on the front of their caravan.

Went to the Saturday Courthouse markets and had a mango smoothie and the likes of a nasi goreng for breakfast. Love Asian food! On the road to Derby before 10am, very comfortable, travel time wise.

Hit the road and stopped off at the Prison Boab tree, just prior to Derby. Used as a holding cell mainly for errant Aboriginals. Rather barbaric times.

Checked into the Dumbara Caravan Park at about 1pm and set up camp. Amy and Juergs jumped on the bikes and did a mini tourist reconnoiter, including the jetty. Big tides at Derby, one of the highest in the world, 10m plus at times.

In the evening we had the event briefing at the Spinny - the Spinifex Hotel. All sorted, and a pretty acceptable pub meal of Barramundi. Bit of a rude shock, draught beers $15- each.

A bigger shock when we got back to the caravan park. A couple of Aboriginal kids had broken into the AVan, done some damage doing so, and then stolen about $500- cash, my iPad, Kindle and spare iPhone. Spent the next 3 hours or so engaging with the police. Very obliging. Interesting watching the finger print dusting process. And also interesting getting the big picture on the diabolical situation from them. It’s that bad that when new police officers arrive in town the kids deliberately target them and do break ins on their residences! Then brag to their mates that they did the cops over! Gordy got a call from one of our officers at midnight to say one of the kids had been arrested and charged. He had been booked and charged with a previous offence committed that morning!

That 3 hours with the police we were planning on last minute prep and pack as we have a 3:45am get up for a 5 o’clock start muster. Had also hoped to have some time to tidy up this blog and get it posted. Lack of time! Got to sleep about midnight.

Dunbara Derby Caravan Park (3 star)
OK facilities. A couple of km from the centre of town.
$45-/ngt
Telstra mobile reception good
No internet.Lue lisää