Mad Dog’s and Englishmen……
……and Peter and Jack.
First of all, let’s clear up some nonsense. I have noticed in the comments a sense of sympathy for young Wills, especially after the foot stomping and cross dressing incident’s. Let me tell you, he is from strong stock, and is developing quite a strong hide, one that will only get stronger as time passes, and thank you to Wendy for correctly pointing out it was a herd of goat’s.
Now, down to business. We headed to Mutawinji to try to find the gorge and cave that Becker painted today. We had a 6 km work in front of us, but with 4 l of water and a packet of snakes and starting at Midday, we knew we would have no problems. After 3km we found the Gorge and started the walk up it, with what seemed a few wild goats, but increasingly more as we got near the top. As we reached the point where the falls would be if there was water, we realised we had been ‘herding’ (thanks again Wendy) the goats,as well as some very irate Kangaroos into a dead end, with us blocking their way. Jack said ‘let’s go’, but before we could, the goat’s did. I do have it on video, but this will not do justice to a hundred stampeding goats running toward you, interspersed with hissing kangaroos, and Jack trying to scramble up rocks yelling ‘I told you so!’
Anyway, after they passed , with the exception of 20 or so kids who had the good sense just to stay there, we found the top of the Gorge Becker painted, but a lot of Gum trees had sprung up in the creek bed due to lack of water that made a good photo difficult. We also found a cave that could be one that Becker painted, have a look below. The aboriginal paintings are no longer there, I suppose it depends on what pigments they use.
Anyway on the way back, there were many Wily Wily’s, more than we have seen in the past and larger, although we see a lot in these high temperatures. One passed right over us, and I did notice Jack closing his eyes, tapping his heels, and whispering ‘There’s no place like home’, but it didn’t work and we were still 130km from Broken Hill on a dirt road.
Here are the photo’s, onto Tibboburra tomorrow.
See ya.
Becker's cave painting
Our cave
November 14, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Hi Dad and Jack. first of all, i would like to point out Jack was not scrambling up rocks, we was scrambling up Yoni’s. It would have made the story more funny if you dad had of been attacked by the hissing kangaroo’s though! Or jack saying if the walk was 12k’s like mum told me, Jack saying he would have driven off and left dad by himself haha. Oh and the picture that you took of the cave looks nothing like the original picture, LOL!
xoxo.
November 14, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Dear Burke and Wills,
It is good to know that you have considered all dietary requirements necessary for this momentous expedition. A question comes to mind that has been asked of so many other explorers like yourselves. Are they brave or……..just mad? It’s good to know you have a packet of snakes. A man can go a long way on just one.
November 15, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Snakes are the preferred food of explorer’s from Leichart to Lasseter, we are only following their example as stated in the journals, although how they divided their snakes into a feed for 4 mystifies me. The must have been very delicate carver’s.
November 15, 2009 at 11:51 am
Wow, I felt like I was watching the stampede scene in ‘Australia’ all over again!!
November 18, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I am able to report the existence of a wonderful area of limestone plains. I believe it to be most suitable for sheep and settlement. Water is abundant and I have found rivers resplendant wit h native fish of all kinds. I would regard it as most suitable as a seat for federal government. I have located a good site for a city it could be called CANBERRA which literally means meeting place of rabbits. Give my best to the long suffering Wills.
Jobson
Brig Gen
Capital Expedition Leader
November 19, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Mr Burke your cave is outstanding easily the best cave I have seen except it does not seem to have a roof or walls like other caves. I guess that is what makes it so special from a geological perspective. Are you seeking to have the oxford dictioary definition of a CAVE rewritten by messrs Oxford at our Alma Mater
Jobson
November 27, 2009 at 10:32 am
How are you both? I have had a read of your blog; very interesting indeed. All the flat tyres don’t sound too good though. I’m just strugggggling through the last few weeks of the year, looking forward to the holidays. William and I are starting to talk about our trip next year, i’ll show him your blog to see what he reckons. Keep enjoying yourselves!
Regards Bob
December 7, 2009 at 10:05 am
Congratulations Pete and Jack on completing your trip.
Enjoyed reading the blogs.
Well Done.
Cheers
Maria
December 9, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Hi Peter and Jack,
i’m just printing off a few reports so i thought I’d check for updates. Where are you now? Anywhere’s got to be better than here I reckon, but I suppose someone could prove me wrong. How was the Barrier Reef? Did you eat any coral trout?
All the best,
Bob Shannon