Day 86 17/06/2011 Karijini National Park – Tom Price.

Day 86 17/06/2011 Karijini National Park – Tom Price.

It was a little sad leaving Karijini National Park today as there were still one gorge that we had not explored, the most popular gorge, Hamersly Gorge isn’t open at the moment so we know that on the next trip we will again visit Karijini because there is still lots to see and do.  But we were also keen to get Zac to a GP before the weekend as the sores on his arm and foot needed to be cleaned and treated by someone with a little more medical knowledge than me and I had a sneaking suspicion that the infections would need antibiotics.  Whilst, Zac had not complained too much it was obvious that he was in pain and we didn’t want him to get any sicker, nor did we want the obvious infection to spread!! So off to test the GP’s in Tom Price we went.  I was still amazed at how easy it was to get an appointment!!



Tom Price mine - the view from Mt Nameless



We made it to the appointment on time and as I suspected the wounds needed a course of antibiotics, the Doctor congratulated me on my nursing skills!!  I had taken good care of the wounds…..must be all the practise I have had these holidays!!  Zac though certainly didn’t appreciate the doctor pushing and prodding his sores and on top of that he got a tetanus shot….poor bugger he tried so hard to keep up a brave face.

Because we were all in desperate need of a shower we decided to book into the local caravan park for the night, tomorrow we are going on a tour of the Tom Price mine.  Once the van was set up we headed into Tom Price to check out the local tourist attractions!! Not a great deal to see but the lady at the Information Centre recommended that we take the 4WD only track up to the summit of Mt Nameless 1000m above sea level she assured us that we would have a 360 degree view.  Pete wasn’t keen to do a 4WD track because he woke up this morning with a sore neck. I assured him though that I was ready and I could drive…..Pete looked panic stricken as he handed the keys over!!  Yippee I got to drive and go 4WD!! 



Tom Price Mine site



Well my exuberance and confidence lasted until we started the very steep climb up a very steep, winding hill, but I successfully got us to the top, thankfully when we did encounter an oncoming vehicle I had a little room to move over!!  And yes the view was spectacular, we did have a 360 degree view and we got a great look at the Tom Price mine from above.  I also took this opportunity to educate the kids about Iron Ore mining, well to the level that I understand it!!  Zac was very curious about how they managed to slice the top off hills!! Hopefully we will all learn more tomorrow.

Of course now that we were on the top of the highest peak in the area we had to get down, so off I headed, with Pete and the boys hanging on for dear life!!  Claudia kicked back and watched a movie she knew she was in safe hands!!  We made it down to the bottom of the hill without any problems.  Well none that I am going to confess anyway!!  I think I did very well on my first 4WD trip, Pete is still mumbling something about “oh my neck!!” but honest he had a sore neck before I got behind the wheel……

After dinner we all headed to the showers armed with soap and shampoo, oh my it was really nice and warm….a little step above the creek wash with no soap that we have had the last few days!!  Tonight we will all go to bed smelling beautiful.

Happy birthday Aunty Buffy – we love you!!!