Around Oz with the Munchkins: Hiking through the Pilbara, sturts desert peas and rubbish collection frenzies

Everyone goes to Karajini. Which is understandable because it is superb. But fewer people venture north to Millstream Chichester National Park. But someone had raved about it to us and that is really all it takes to have a place added to our unplanned itinerary. So late one afternoon we trundled into the park, bringing with us a truckload of red dirt from Karajini. In fact we were so red the camp host at Millstream took one look at us and our stuff and kindly advised Kate to wash everything in cold water as warm water will make the dirt set into the material forever... Indeed she was actually correct about this (our clothes still look dirty after they have just come out of the machine...) but Kate was too busy snorting derisively to take in her advice. Bill diplomatically mentioned that it would probably be him that does the washing at which she nodded knowingly and said to Kate 'ahhh you are one of those very career driven women'. Enough said. Anyway she was actually very kind and redeemed herself somewhat later by giving us a government sponsored 'manage your camping rubbish kit' complete with tongs, gloves and garbage bags. which kept the kids occupied for hours!

As usual we had arrived too late in the day and the small but raved about Crossing Pool campsite was full, so we set up at Milyana campsite near one of the park's attractions - an old homestead turned into a museum. The first night we went to a lovely swimming spot called Deep Reach with the intention of scrubbing off some of the red dirt. We had a bbq and quickly dumped ourselves into the cold water, but we felt a bit suss of salties (although the ranger later reassured us that there's nothing that bites in there) so didn't stay in long. However we came back to Crossing Pool twice more and Zara, Kate and Bill enjoyed the swimming while cold-frog Sash danced around the bbq area in his undies.

Next day, Sash and Kate checked out the homestead and took a walk to Crossing Pool in order to torture ourselves about what might have been. The weather was warm so we ambled along and counted Kites wheeling in the sky. Sash likes to call all large birds of prey Wedgies so he spent happy hours 'Wedgie spotting'. Next day we headed out to the other end of the park where we climbed a mountain and then hiked through some pretty spectacular Pilbara landscape. Bill and Zara came part of the way and then turned back, ostensibly to drive around to the end of the walk and do school whilst waiting for Kate and Sash, but in actual fact Bill discovered a little patch of internet connection on the top of an escarpment which his internet starved soul could not resist. Fortunately they redeemed themselves by playing made up maths games as they hiked and drove. We all came together again at a special place called Python Pool where swimming sadly wasn't allowed but we lunched and enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the place.