Parnngurr

Firstly, I’ll give $10 (generous) to anyone who can pronounce the above word correctly. This is the place where I’ll be hanging my hat for a wee while. It’s a small community of Martu people about 370kms east of Newman in Western Australia on the edge of Karlamilyi National Park.

THE TRIP IN…Having spent the night in Newman the day arrived where I would finally be heading off into the desert. To be honest I was really apprehensive about the road in. Some said it was horrible, some said it was ok, some said it would take 3 ½ hours, others 5 hours. I was more worried about Charlie but as I get to know this little guy more and more, he is one adaptable, awesome, amazing dog.

Can I just say, I LOVE my CB radio. What an awesome invention. Turn on, channel 40: “This is Gypsy Charlie heading off, over…”, “Copy that.”

First 50kms was sealed road then it faced me, the endless red. My stomach turned but luckily my bowels didn’t. I had no idea what lay ahead. Push button 4WD on, strapped in (kidneys weren’t which is why I think they are still back at the beginning of the track) let’s go.

In a few words…gigantic BMX trail. Some parts were smooth, some bumpy, some sandy, omg those smack you in the face DIPS, then there were parts with many bends, but I tell you what, I could feel the incredible energy driving through patches of this amazing part of the world. All of a sudden there would be these forlorn, weeping willow type trees all standing together as if looking on – felt very feminine and very sacred. Then there were these rocky outcrops that gave off an incredible male energy. Call me weird but that’s instantly what came to my mind and what I felt as I drove on….and on….and on….and on….and on…THEN: