Across the Kimberley Part 7 - Visiting a wetland, more rock art and the Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge

Today is Anzac Day, 25 April, the day on which Australians and New Zealanders honour those who served in World War 1, World War 2 and all the other conflicts that have occurred since then. Services are held all over the country, and special services are held at Gallipoli in Turkey and the Somme in France. When I was on my river cruise along the Seine river in France last year, I visited the Somme and if you look my posts about that experience you will know how profoundly that moved me. 

In particular today I honour my own father, who served for the entire duration of World War 2, mostly in a hospital unit. He was one of the highly respected, very brave ‘Rats of Tobruk’. Before he died my children and I used to march with him in the Anzac Day parade in Melbourne, with my children holding the unit’s banner. In his later years, each early April I also used to take him to the service for his unit at the Shrine of Remembrance as well as to his reunions that were held after the service. It was a tremendous privilege to do this. And yet my father and his mates never talked about the horrors they experienced - only the occasional funny incident that happened. 

I have been delighted to hear that at last those Aboriginals who served in the wars, especially World War 2, are being properly honoured and recognised today. 

Speaking of Aboriginals, as we travelled further along the Mitchell Plateau, we visited a picturesque spot called Munurru, where there was a wetland and we had a picnic lunch, and then another site with both styles of Aboriginal rock art. The photos will speak for themselves. 

Eventually we arrived at the Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge, where we spent two nights. 

The next day the other members of our group either went for helicopter rides over the beautiful Mitchell Falls (which many of the passengers on the ship on which we travelled along the Kimberley Coast also had done) or hiked into the Falls. Chappy advised me not to do the hike because it was very tough going, and of course I could not go in a helicopter, so I spent the day in the camp on my own. But I didn't mind - it was day of catching up with my hand-washing and just relaxing. It was good to have a break from the long drives over very rough, bumpy roads and hikes in the heat. And the staff were very friendly. But I believe the Falls were spectacular. 

I have included photos of the campsite and my ‘tented cabin’, which was just like the other Lodges we stayed in. You can see there was bush right up to the cabin door. This site even had a creek running through it. 

Our lovely Chappy telling us about the rock art.

Some tiny wildflowers growing at the base of the rocks.

Reflections in the creek at the Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge.

Some of the 'tented cabins'.

Our gathering area where we enjoyed nibbles and drinks around the campfire at dusk before our evening meal.

My cabin and luggage.

Inside my cabin. The shower, basin and toilet were in the back section. 

My veranda.