Drama

We got so close to Broome and then we slowed down. And then we discovered – roadblock! Crowds were already there at the Roebuck Plains Roadhouse. Considering you only see a car or truck every 15 minutes or so at most, this was a worry. We found out some people had already been there for three and a half hours. And the crowds kept coming. Bushfire, as it turned out. The bit of smoke we'd seen on the horizon was not so far away and threatening to jump the road. There was plenty of fuel about, with all the dry grass. We finally got away three hours after stopping. But not before enjoying the carnival atmosphere – everyone was so friendly, all sorts talking together; birds, kites mainly, circled magnificently overhead as they flew up out of the smoke; three helicopters came and went, landing on the road – one rumour was that one chopper airlifted out some people in order to meet a tour deadline. But I think that one's a tall story!
We eventually got to Broome for a late tea. Thank goodness we'd decided to go not that night but the next to see the Staircase to the Moon.

Smoke!

Roadblock!!



Roadtrain

Grey nomads, hippy style?



Grey nomads, doing it in luxury?

Bikers

Carnival atmosphere

Sunset

Rolling again

After the event