The day started out well although Rosie had not slept much due to her excitement about going to Monkey Mia to see the dolphins. We left at 745 to drive to  Monkey Mia and got there just in time for the first dolphin feeding, There was a large crowd but the dolphins were up close and personal so we had a really good opportunity to experience the beauty of these gentle intelligent mammals.

We ended up being there for the second feeding and Rosie got the opportunity she had been hoping for – to feed a dolphin!

We then went across to the cafe for coffee..and then a quick swim before driving out to Cape Peron in Francois Peron National Park.

We could not locate Rose and Dave when we were about to leave Monkey Mia..and then saw them down near the water ( the no go zone where only rangers can take people for the feedings). Rose was trying to attract the dolphins for a personal dolphin experience and a ranger had come down and was telling her off 😨

The road through Francois Peron National Park started out well. We let down our tyres at the start of the sandy 4WD track. The area was arid with more clay pans and lots of red dirt, sand and flies!!

All went well until the Ram got stuck in some soft sand….after digging it out and letting the tyres down more…success….momentarily.

Branch was cheering from inside the car as he was reluctant to get out in the heat and flies….

The Princess was riding high initially but then hit the dust and dug herself in too….both cars stuck in the sand in 30 degree heat (the sand was scorching hot)…about 30 kms from the entry to the park with no one in sight…..nothing  we could do but dig ….with oars from the canoes!!! Because we had not taken our 4WD we did not have our shovel or maxxtraxx (note to self do not leave our car behind next time!)

The flies were relentless, the sun was scorching and there was no shade whatsoever…and no one came along the track the whole time we were bogged. After the first dig we did not get either car out. Dave’s car by this time was not responding normally and Dave was getting worried about the Princess…Rose had the manual out and they were trying hard to sort out the problem.

We gathered round and said a prayer before trying again…as soon as we walked back onto the road I noticed a couple of things just down the road that I had not seen earlier…2 bottles and what looked like an elongated cushion. Kerry and I walked over and it was a long plank of marine ply…perfect to put under the wheel to gain a bit of traction.

We dug again around Gordies truck, put the plank in place and then Trev, Kerry and Dave jumped on the back to give  a bit of weight to get Gordie started. He took off and got out and continued driving as far as needed to get out of the soft sand and to a place he could turn around. Rose and I were left with the Princess as we watched them bounce off around the corner. A little while later I could just make out the Ram still driving away..fantastic sight as Gordon was definately unstuck. What we did not realise was happening was Gordon was gunning it forgetting he had 3 people perched precariously on the back bumper bar holding on to the back for dear life. The back of the ute was bouncing like a pogo stick and Trev had to wrap his body around Kerry to hold her on so she did not lose her grip and fall. Dave got swung round the side, up down and back again – it was a miracle no one fell off or was injured (apart from a few bruises)…they were yelling at Gordo to stop to no avail as he could not hear them at all with all the windows up…he pulled up to a stop once he came to a safe place to turn around. Although they had talked about getting on the back to help get the Ram out, Gordo did not realise they actually had jumped on!!

While we waited I noticed the plank had completely disappeared….buried after Gordo took off…it took some prodding with a paddle up and down the road to locate it finally and then digging it out so we could reuse for Dave’s exit.

Dave walked back to us looking a little worse for wear…then Gordie drove past and went on to a safe place to stop. They returned on foot to repeat the process with Dave’s car…Trev and Dave drove it out without anyone standing on the rear end.

The whole process from start to finish had taken 2 hours so it meant we did not get to Cape Peron, Skipjack Point and swimming and snorkelling…..but the challenge had been a different kind of day….as we headed back along the track we met the ranger (why had he not come along sooner – in the whole 2 hours of being stationary on a one track road in and out we had seen no one!).

As we travelled out further we saw ahead another 2 cars bogged… and the ranger now assisting them.Trev got out to lend a hand and Gordo got out drinks for us all…

Eventually everyone was on their way…..we went straight to the beach at Denham for a swim…we were so hot, sweaty, dusty and flyblown! Gordie got out his portable shower after the swim…Rose could not resist as the water was nicely heated after being out in the desert most of the day.

A couple of emus wandered down to check us out….

Home for a shower and then a walk down to the pub for a bistro dinner….and debrief 😃.

The glasses at the Pub seemed somewhat appropriate…

On the walk down we passed the largest boat trailer we all had ever seen..Glen Hackfath eat  your heart out 😆

Just another day in the Loveday wild adventure hahaha….