Day 20 - 18062015 - Gibb River Station to Galvans Gorge - 84km

Anne made us bacon and eggs this morning and we had a fascinating talk with Richard about the many problems in the community.  Even though it is one of the better Aboriginal communities there are issues with politics, fraud, training, money etc.  Richard is project manager of a joint partnership between the Aboriginal community and an Aboriginal group in the Pilbara who are putting up money to make the Gibb River Station sustainable.  He has some really practical approaches to many of the issues.

Could have listened to him all day but had to go and we were already very late starting.

Better surface today and we made really good time.  Passed Hann River, Snake Creek and eventually got to Barnett River where we saw these guys cruising down the road.

Got to Mt Barnett Roadhouse and kicked back during the heat of the day talking to people, updating the blog and having lunch.

There was no camping at the roadhouse, but at Manning Gorge 7 km off the main road, so we decided to push onto Galvans Gorge another 16 km on.  Road surface was pretty horrible and because the sun cast shadows on the road it was very hard to read the surface.  Not a great experience.

About 5 km after I headed off I came across 2 cars of European backpackers with a shredded tyre.  I offered to tow them but they had it changed and were heading back to Derby to get another.  

I got to Galvans Gorge about 4:30 and there was a 4WD tour bus there.  They had just been for a swim at the gorge and all came over to talk to us. Great guys, they got us fruit and 2 beers from the icebox.  Fantastic.  Nothing better than a Heinie after a tough day riding in the sun.

 After they left, we rode down to the gorge as far as we could and then hiked in.  Spectacular place.  Wish we had been here earlier.  Went for a short swim, but had to get back because it was getting dark.  

Camped back were we left the bikes and without my reading glasses I had a bit of trouble reading this sign.