Au Revoir Broome

Over a very hot and humid Broome weekend I packed up my cabin at the Broome Vacation Village and spent many hours cleaning. Thank goodness for air-conditioning!

Hard to believe I have been here now since May 2018 – time goes by so quickly!

Living in a caravan park has been an interesting experience. During the dry season May – October there were people coming and going all the time. Some were on trips around Australia, others were just meandering along and just stopping in Broome for a few days, then heading north to Darwin or south to Port Hedland and beyond.

Have met quite a few Kiwis on their travels including Lance and Janet who recently managed Broome Vacation Village www.broomevillage.com.au for a few months until the new managers arrived. They’ve since left to find work in Darwin.

People are very friendly and always willing to help if required. I had a temporary senior moment one day when trying to check the oil level in my car and was thankful that fellow camper Rob was on hand to sort it out for me! Thanks also to his partner Carrie who has supplied me with ongoing books to read! I have a library now with plenty to keep me going!

It’s been noticeably quiet since October, with air conditioners going night and day and people retreating inside their caravans or cabins, sometimes appearing for a brief swim at the pool, or going into the town for supplies. I have spoken to a couple of families who are home-schooling their children while they are travelling around Australia, and at this time of year the library http://www.broome.wa.gov.au/Facilities-Recreation/Broome-Public-Library offers a pleasant and quiet place to do schoolwork.

At this time of year it’s been fabulous to enjoy ‘sunset drinks and nibbles’ down at Gantheaume Point or Riddells Beach with friends. The sky is amazing with its sunset colours, and during the wet season it can change in an instant with the lightning, thunder and incredible tropical rain.

I will certainly miss going to Aqua Aerobics during the week and all the wonderful Aqua ladies. We have some amazing instructors who also play uplifting music. Where else in Australia could you listen to fabulous opera music sung by Andrea Bocelli whilst you’re enjoying exercising! All courtesy of BRACS http://www.broome.wa.gov.au/Facilities-Recreationin Broome!

Of course I’m going to also miss my Thursdays collecting my grandson from Montessori Daycare in Broome and taking him back for a swim at the Broome Vacation Village Pool.

Enjoyed some great times at the pool with Scott and Julie and their son Elijah who Eamon gets on really well with. Julie is home-schooling Elijah as they have been on their travels around Australia for the last couple of years. They are originally from Queensland.

But it’s only a temporary goodbye to Broome as I’m off on another stage of my journey, this time to Perth, Melbourne and then to New Zealand. Not looking immensely forward to the ‘nasty night flight’ Perth to Melbourne which arrives at 6.00am in Melbourne, but it’s only one night out of a lifetime so sure the Gutzygranny can handle it!