Driving out to a new life

These photos were taken on our first drive out to Wadeye about 2 weeks ago. We were so excited and full of anticipation: what would the journey ahead bring? So, packed to the absolute gills, we set off and were ready to put the 4WD into action. Every guide we had read said the road out was rough, dangerous and could only be attempted by a 4WD. Well, as you can see from the following photos, this is not the case! A bit disappointing really...

So when I said "loaded up" I really meant it. Sadly, on yesterday's trip we 'misplaced' the DVD player in the storage shed so, (gasp shock horror) the kids had to look out of the window for 5 hours! 

 Daly River Road

 Bul Bul Bridge, Daly River

 Daly River

 Hitting the dirt!

 Plenty of bulldust

 Sadly, some cars never make it to their destination. This is one of at least 10 along the way.

 Plenty of "hermite" mounds- according to Millan!

 Another casualty

 "Magnetic" termite mounds

 The only wet crossing! When we came back through yesterday this had dried up completely.

 Moyle River- we think this is "croc free" but need local advice before going near it.

 Oncoming road train

 Entering Wadeye- this is the new housing estate. Have completed 8 houses for teachers and the rest will be for the other service providers in town. I don't want to take any photos of the town just yet, will wait until we are better known in the community.

We met up with a couple of teachers from our school, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Thamarrurr, and were given a tour of the town. The following photos are taken at one of the local beaches, about 10km from here. There is an offshore gas pipeline here called "Black Tip" and they paid for a sealed road from the town out to the gas plant. Quite possibly the best road in Australia! We've decided that if we ever 'miss' sealed roads we can do a few laps out here.

 Marcello roams free

 The barge landing is visible in the mid-ground. This was built for the gas plant. Apparently it is good fishing out here.

 The dead tree that all visitors to Wadeye are obligated to have photos with!

To the left of this photo is thick bush that hides an old convent, a relic from when the Missionaries first came to Port Keats (now Wadeye) about 80 years ago. There is some talk that it may be renovated and turned into a retreat for the Catholic church. It will be interesting to go and investigate it!

 We drove back out yesterday and now live here 'officially'. However, we've picked up a new member of the family, Zelda Rose (pure-bred Boerboel) and let's just say that it's like having three children. Particularly when you have to stop for toilet breaks, stretch the legs time and when they vomit in the car! The boys and Zelda have had a great first day playing and getting to know each other, I think they are going to have a lot of fun together!

Zelda Rose

Zelda's first car trip!

 The boys spent a lot of the night playing under the bed with the dog!