Monday 1st July – Silent Grove to Manning Falls

First stop this morning was Imintji Road House where we fuelled up ($2.40 per litre) and did manage to find some fruit and veg but unfortunately the truck does not come through until Wednesday so there was not much of a selection.

Next stop was Adcock Gorge 5km off the road, the last half k or so being very much a four wheel drive track through the creek and up the other side.  What a pretty little gorge and a very pleasant walk along beside the creek.  There is even some rock art at the end.

A little further on was Galvans Gorge with the car park right beside the road (and very full of travellers).  Another nice walk into the gorge and a pleasant swimming hole at the end with lots of people swimming.  A bit too busy for us.

Our planned camp for the night was Manning Gorge so it was on to Mount Barnett Roadhouse where we paid our camping fee ($12.50 each for seniors otherwise $20) and purchased some more fruit, veg and other groceries.  Jill and I were even tempted by the burgers with the lot.  What a good decision as it was an excellent burger and at $10.50 quite reasonable compared to elsewhere in WA.

Down to the camping ground, 7km in, where M&K had already set up camp.  After Silent Grove the camping area was a bit of a disappointment – dry and dusty and the facilities that were a bit light on (6 showers and 6 toilets) to cater for this very popular spot – no drinking water.  The river made up for the disappointment.  We went for a swim and it was most refreshing.  Checked out the crossing point for tomorrow's walk where you have to pull yourself across in a boat.

We had collected some timber along the way for a fire tonight as it’s roast night – and it was delicious.  Even asked our neighbour Paul from Epping to join us after he came over for some medical attention to a cut finger.  A nice sit around the fire and it was bedtime.