Day 7 – September 7 2012

This morning was a short 6km drive to the Mutawintji Gorge car park area then a splendid walk across some rangeland country with feral goats everywhere.  The ranges either side were very pretty in the morning light with clumps of spinifex dotting the hillsides.  As the gorge closed in on the creek, again the battered gum trees were full of birds & proudly bearing their scars from the recent flooding.  This gorge had more water in it than the previous one at Homestead Creek, though it was a little easier to navigate with large slabs of exposed sandstone making easier walking.  Near the end of the gorge a large pool & some difficult climbing made it hard to reach the largest deep pool right at the start of the gorge.  This pool was flanked by towering rusty red cliffs with a few guardian bonsai cypress pines clinging precariously to life up the cliff faces.  The mouth of the gorge had a very narrow deep chasm that seemed impassable as it wound its way deep inside the towering cliffs.

We stopped at this beautiful spot & had our morning tea, it was very peaceful & relaxing.  As we were finishing some further groups of walkers made their way up to & past us.  We headed back & again had a very enjoyable leisurely stroll as the gorge opened out & enjoyed the beauty from the other direction.  Another very pretty spot we enjoyed immensely.  My knees are so far holding out very well, Ron is a real sweetheart & helps me over the rough parts of the path.  The last few days life has been simple, a time to unwind.

Back home for another nice lunch & a relaxing afternoon, sitting in the sun watching the birds & some of us had a snooze. The nights have been cold but the days are beautiful & sunny, perfect for walking.  The emus just walk around the campsite totally unconcerned by us.  The mallee ringneck parrots feed on the ground only a metre from my feet, simply amazing & beautiful birds.