Day 55 - Mt. Hart Wilderness Lodge.

Our plan of action was to walk the hour and a half to the third swimming hole in Mount Mathew's Gorge. At a Y junction we made an impulse decision to look at a Boab with a native fig tree growing inside it. On route we came across a car blocking the track. Justin had to knock on the window before they realised we were behind them, waiting to proceed. They had been bird watching and we discussing which bird they had just spotted. They let us through. Below are the coexisting trees. Both look happy.

 

The thick sections are the Boab and the exposed roots and thinner trunks belong to the native fig.

 

George being George, taken in mid air as she jumped.

From here it was a simple matter to go to Annie's Gorge for a quick cool off.

 

We surprised an older New Zealand couple swimming in the nude. They were happy for us to share the small pool, but they sidled out subtly soon after we got in. Whether it was the kids splashing about or churning up the strings of algae they didn't say, they handled it graciously. Without looking too closely, I thought the man had an academic air about him, we later found out he is a judge. Talk about a relaxing holiday for them. The algae soon drove us out of this pool, so we reverted to our original idea to walk to Mount Mathew's Gorge. By now it was getting onto midday, and very hot. As we were walking along the river bed, in most parts there were plenty of river gums to shield us from the sun.

 

There are many dolerite hills around here. I haven't seen a rock this colour before. To me the hills looks like it has been dusted in Dutch cocoa.

 

As we were getting the masks and snorkels sorted, I dropped Georginas mask into the water. Luckily I knew where it landed so Justin could find it easily. The third waterhole had lots of little fish to look at, giving Georgina the incentive to practice snorkelling. While she was improving her skills, Lexie dropped her mask, so Super Justin was to the rescue again! I thought there was little hope of his finding it as the water is very dark where it is deep, and Lexie initially didn't have a clear idea of where she lost it. Fortunately her mask is fluorescent orange around the edge. This helped him to find the needle in the haystack.

 

It was still hot when we trekked back, so the kids splashed in the first waterhole.

 

On our return to camp, John, our neighbour, pointed out an invitation on the blackboard to help open the bar. Their liquor licence had just come through that afternoon. We passed some new arrivals from Victoria, Tony and Joan, as well as this sign, and I apologise for the darkness of the shot. I'm not sure what happened with the camera, given I took the shot in broad daylight. We let Tony and Joan know we were on the way to the bar to help to christen it and all were welcome.

 

Four hours later after a lot of talking, we all dispersed, and Mark was happy that the bar had been opened with a suitable amount of ceremony. We saw an owl in the gardens. You can just make it out on the tap below.

 

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