Broome- Matso’s and Shem!

Dearest Intrepid Readers,

Just a day in Broome today.

We started off with breakfast at the camp. Then the cleaning and checking of the trikes. This took quite some time.

The MOTH went over the trikes with the Workshop Foreman ( same guy).

It’s a mysterious business but definitely necessary.

The boot lock on the Lovliness keeps popping open which is causing rubbing and subsequent paint damage. The boot was adjusted and edges reinforced and protected.

Water and oil checked (they are also checked daily) and all securing devices checked.

Once the maintenance, cleaning and camp were all squared away we were off to Matso’s Brewery for lunch.

Our kids drink this Alcoholic Ginger Beer however a sip has never before passed my lips.

Jenny and I were both keen to try one. It is a very refreshing drink. We only had the one. The menu is very healthy and the fresh salads compliment the ginger beer.

We asked this bloke to take a photo of Jenny and I at the bar, however he only would if he could be in a photo. Then the guy behind waved so he could also have his photo taken. Everyone is up for some fun.

We had found an amazing butcher with a huge range of gourmet sausages. So planning ahead for dinner, we all selected our favourite sausage ( well John and the MOTH seemed to have two favourites). We picked up some salads and we were all set for a camp kitchen feast on our return from Sunset and Camels on cable beach.

We found this warning sign about camels. John thought the camels should probably be warned about us. How rude!

I think it is important to be dressed properly for every occasion and so I took on the look of a Bedouin. This was also wise as the afternoon sun still had quite a bite at 4pm. I also thought the orange was a very complimentary colour to that of a camel.

Unfortunately John and the MOTH are too heavy to ride a camel as there is a very strict weight rating on camels. They took this news very stoically. I was very proud of them when after getting our photos mounting the camels they were happy to just wait at the sunset bar, which was very conveniently close by.

Alison is the owner and very experienced Cameleer. She called us all over and went around looking us up and down. It was quite unnerving and at any moment I felt I may get a tap on the shoulder and be banished to the bar as well for being to big.

However, after much consideration Jenny and I were assigned camel number nine.

As we climbed the stairs to mount our Camel who was 18 years of age and called Clem, the truth was revealed.

As I am very tall we had been given the biggest widest camel as a smaller person may not be able to straddle him. Jenny being smaller was on the front near his shoulders. I managed to throw my leg over him and he was indeed wide. Alison advised once we started we could not get off, but if it got to much I could take my feet out of the stirrups and put them up on the bars for a rest. He became even wider when he took a deep breath and I took a minute to be grateful for all the Pilates I had done to prepared for this trip, which had indeed improved my hip flexibility.

It is one thing to hear about Cable beach at sunset but quite another thing to be here and on a camel.

Camels can live up to 60 years of age and weight between 600kg to a tonne.

They have very soft feet. Very similar to a cats paw. They hardly leave a mark on the sand as they walk along. They have two toes. Here is a beautiful artistic snap of a camel toe. Your Welcome !

We became weaved into the tapestry of the sunset evening and were watched by the thousands that had gathered in their 4WDs on Cable Beach for the spectacle. There were three camel trains on the beach this afternoon. It was quite magical.

At the end of the ride we were provided carrots to give to Shem. He was so beautiful and happy to receive the carrots and I loved the big crunching sound has he chewed them in only a couple of bites. He seemed to love me, however Alison explained he was probably quite taken with my orange or carrot coloured scarf and she said to be careful he did not take a bite of me.

We had to be careful not to get run over by the convoy of 4WDs now comming off the beach as we made our way to find the boys at the sunset bar. Ah the serenity.

We finished the day with a great night in the camp kitchen. The sausages were better than we hoped and we met some people from Hervey Bay, who want to now catch up for a drink, when we all find ourselves back in the bay !

As you ride out to find the way the way will appear….

Until next time

MOTH and LOL