Broome

Compared to Derby, Broome is a thriving metropolis with a population of 12/14000 (average 50K during the tourist season). The main runway bisects the town and aircraft landing do so over the main shopping centre.

We arrived on Friday 31st August after an easy drive from Derby and were set up as usual by lunch time. The weekend was spent exploring, particularly Cable Beach were the sea is aquamarine and has the temperature of warm tea!! we might even go in for a swim as they tell us there are no Bluebottles at this time!

Sunday morning we walked a kilometre out on the sand flats at Roebuck Bay. It was a negative low tide and at this time of the month you can see the remains of three Catalina flying boats that were bombed by the Japanese in 1942, Broome's one day brush with WW2. Later in the day the Broome Pearl Festival got into full swing with a street parade and evening Mardi Gras. We also watched the Dragon boat races off the town beach.

As the car was being serviced on Tuesday we had booked to go on a Pearl Farm Tour at Willie Creek (see photos) Most enjoyable as well as educational

We had a Slipper Lobster lunch today at the Wharf restaurant. They look like large Balmain Bugs, Yummie!!! so swimming every day has been our attempt at exercise as the pool in the park is delightful.