DAY 34 – Timber Creek – Lake Argyle

Good Morning Timber Creek!
 
Low 18°c (64°F) – High 28°c (82°F)
227km
 
There was little trouble waking this morning as the bats were extremely vocal from the moment first light appeared.  Having everything packed away we were hooked up on the road easily but not early at around 9.30am.  Not really any point in rushing as we were bound for the border at which point clocks had to go back another hour and a half to Western Australian time and check-in at Lake Argyle is not before 11.00am.
 
The road on this section is probably the worst we’ve struck so far with some very bumpy surfaces particularly around bridges and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many patches on roads, some of which could have done with a complete overhaul rather than just the repairs.
 
While there wasn’t much to report about the trip itself, the scenery is beyond compare.  The colour and contours of the land here are nothing short of spectacular and our anticipation of what was to come was certainly peaked.
 
As we approached the border, I suddenly became concerned that we may have missed something in the cupboards, a wayward onion or potato that might have rolled into a far corner, did we have two bottles of honey instead of one – you know – the sort of stuff that wakes you usually at 3.00am but with less than 5km to the border we didn’t have much time to second guess.  We pulled over to give it the once over again – all was well.
 
We probably need not have worried as the inspection was very scant and while I’m sure they have a sense about when people are trying to smuggle stuff through, it occurred to us just how thorough the inspectors are at the South Australian border at Yamba who are keen to look everywhere.  It also reinforced one of our favourite mantra’s – “The only thing faster than the speed of light is the speed of doubt”.
 
As luck would have it, despite our little stopover at Quarantine, we arrived at Lake Argyle pretty much spot on 11.00am and were ushered to our site which turned out to be a super spot with lots of shade and being beside one of the access roads provided an un-obscured view to some of the pretty scenery at the back of the park.
 
For some reason the drive had been really tiring and both of us felt as though we needed a nanna nap by the time we had set up.  Unfortunately though there was yet again a pile of washing to be done so I set about getting that lot attended to.  Aside from travelling with a light selection of clothes making washing a regular necessity, it’s easier to do fewer loads often than have to spend half a day trying to get it done and dry. 
 
Even before we walked/drove around here we knew we had made a mistake only booking in for 2 nights.  To be honest we had only booked a week or so ago and we were lucky to get the two nights we did but Shane headed down to the office in the hope there might have been an opportunity to extend our stay.  Sadly – no.  If you ever have the opportunity to come this way – make time to stay for 3 or 4 days.  It is such a peaceful and beautiful spot and well worth a visit.
 
Several loads washed and hung and with Miss Kitty peacefully sleeping on the couch we headed off for a walk around the park.  It became very clear very soon that sunset here is pretty early and as we were wandering around the sun dipped behind an escarpment on the western side of the park and by 5.30pm it was completely dark.  By then however we were happily sitting outside under the awning, drinks and nibbles on the table, and watching the world pass by feeling peaceful and relaxed.  Entertainment provided by the park added to the ambiance of the evening as resident musician Steve Case sang and played guitar.  We didn’t go down to the entertainment area but enjoyed the music at a distance. 
 
Of course the next issue we didn’t factor was feeling like we had jetlag and poor Miss Kitty who was looking for her dinner from about 3.00pm had to wait until Dinner WA time.  And then there was bedtime!  This new WA time is soooo confusing for a poor pup.  We did end up going to bed quite early anyway as the three of us were very tired and looking at the sunrise time I was going to have to be up early to catch any light.   Sunrise scheduled for 5.30am so it would be a minimum 5.00am for me tomorrow.