It’s proving hard to drag ourselves away from Broome; so pleasant and laid back as it is. There is just the right balance of things to hold the interest without being blatantly comercialised. And like all the towns in the north, it’s quiet, hardly any traffic, despite the extensive road network or perhaps because of it. There is always somewhere to park … and it’s free. And like elsewhere we have found the people incredibly friendly. In this unhurried of places, everyone has the time to chat.
We spend the morning visiting the bird observatory 25km outside Broome – about 15km of it down an unsealed road which makes it a long trek. This is an important staging post for hundreds of migratory species that congregate here on their way to or from Asia and Siberia. Some 800,000 birds arrive each ear, some travelling 12,000km. As seems to be our way, we have an wonderful nack for visiting on the wrong day (a notice informs us that Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are going to be the best days this week) and the wrong time – high tide is when the waders congregate. Ah, well, we make the most of it anyway and take a walk circular walk through the Pindan to the viewing platform. There are only a couple of waders which must have been as out of touch with the migratory timetable as us.
The word ‘pindan’ means ‘waterless open bush’ and is term also applied to the characteristic read loamy soil of the area which is rich in iron oxides but generally low in nutrients. Pindan soil supports a scruby woodland dominated by Acacia and Eucalyptus, spinifex and other coarse grasses including Sorghum and Aristida species. The circular work turns out to be rather informative abut the local fauna including the Conkerberry shrub which when burnt is effective in repelling insects – we could do with some of that!
On the way back, we stop in an isolated spot over-looking this beautiful, wild coastline. Still no birds but a the view alone is worth savouring and we sit with a brew and spend a while catching up on the blog.
The highlight of the day, though, is a visit to Sun Pictures. This is the world’s oldest operating picture gardens. Partially open air, the seating is rows of deck chairs. We munch on popcorn and choc-tops as we settle down to watch Clint Eastwood’s recent film ‘Gran Tourino’ under the stars. There are two films showing tonight, one at 6.30 and Clint at 8.30. We had half expected to be the only people here, but it is surprisingly busy – although by no means full. Much nicer than Brixton Academy!
Nicer than the Brixton Academy? It is being refurbished at the moment, though difficult to imagine it could match an outdoor picture house. Sounds good.
I laughed at your comment about the birds also out of touch with the timetable. Shame you have a knack for visiting places at the wrong time, as it is not very practical to go back again. Still, Broome sounds very laid back and pleasant, if chilly at night, which seems strange looking at where it is on the map. Is the sea cold?