Days 40, 41, 42 and 43; Saturday July 27, Sunday 28, Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 July, all in 2013.

We left Cooinda on Saturday at a very civilised hour as we were travelling all of 100 k's to Mary River Roadhouse. This place is immediately outside the southern boundary of Kakadu National Park. The best way to describe it is 'rustic' but then again that is what roadhouse type accommodation/parks are all about.

We picked a nice site (we were the first one's there!) and noticed straight away that the bird-life around here was absolutely prolific. A cacophony of bird-song. Fantsamagorical!

After we had settled in and had lunch we travelled back into Kakadu to a place called Gunlom Falls. Now this is one out of the way place and is reached via a rough dirt road (very rough in some places) and I was expecting a heap of isolation....got none of that. Apparently this is a long week-end for The Territory and every man and his dog form around Darwin that is looking for a bit of adventure is right here! Notwithstanding that little issue, I found the place fascinating. Lovely plunge pool and a difficult climb of about 500 metres to the top of the falls, where there were more pools and lots of people taking a dip. We didn't have our bathers with us did we!... not to worry.

The top of Gunlom Falls...look carefully and you can see the creek flowing over the top.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the ambiance there and then did the drive back to Mary River. The Territory handled the rough stuff and corrugations very well. Most happy.

After the dinner we had a few drinks and a long conversation with our overnight neighbours, Nico and Christine and their three young children. These happen to come from a place called Eindhoven, Noord Brabant, Nederland. Currently living in Hing Kong, where Nico is the general manager for a small company by the name of Philips....and they both follow P.S.V.

Left Mary River bright and early on Sunday and made our way uneventfully to Hi-Way Inn. That is the name of the roadhouse and location. Nothing else there but we did have a nice site overlooking lots of small termite mounds.

Table is set for dinner: Hi-Way Inn Roadhouse

On Monday we travelled further south for 530 k's (nothing in between) to Wycliffe Well, where we had stayed overnight. Again nothing of note happened, just an easy driving day, watching the geography change and we move along.

Tuesday (is it really Tuesday?) was another easy-going day travelling another 400 k's or so south to Alice Springs. Tried out a new Tourist park called 'G'day Mate' (true). 'Tis truly a nice place to stay. Geraldine was very happy to be in a town of some size so that a bit of retail therapy could be enjoyed. We walked around for quite some time, visiting a shop here and a shop there but would you believe nothing was bought???!!! What gives?

We have booked in for something truly exciting tomorrow...we'll see if it comes off and if it does, I shall report on it on my next post. 'Bye.

The Kakadu Adventure

Day 36 Tuesday 23 July 2013, Day 37 Wednesday 24 July 2013, Day 38 Thursday 25 July 2013 and Day 39 Friday 26 July 2013

We are have been having such a great time in the Kakadu National Park that I was toying with the idea of starting a whole new blog, just about Kakadu. However, seeing that we started our Kakadu adventure on Monday, it just will not make sense, so on we go.

I have read reviews about this particular park and there is a fair bit of negativity about it. I will put my hand up and say that after a couple of days of experience those who espouse the 'Kaka-don't' point of view, have been too slack, lazy, unadventurous, spoilt, or whatever. This place is worth every cent of the 25 bucks a head that it costs to do the journey.

We stayed at Jabiru for three nights. Stopped off at Merl camp-ground where we stayed over-night some 25 years ago. A slight accident (requiring some 7 sutures the next day) meant that things that were meant to be done were not done. The camp ground has had tremendous change and now has much more vegetation than in 1988.

We walked around Ubirr, looked at the very old art (some may say VERY old graffiti)  wandered around mother nature's art near East Alligator River at Bardedilidji, through woodlands beside East Alligator River, looked at crocs. up close, wandered up to the top of Obiri Rock and watched the sunset (with about 150 others but absolutely glorious), bought fresh multi-grained rolls and apricot/apple scrolls at the Jabiru bakery (yum) and then...

  At the limestone art wrought by Nature, near Ubirr.

 

Aboriginal Rock Art at Ubirr

View from the top of Obiri Rock, near sunset.

Enjoying the view, Obiri Rock.

Wandered around the lands of Nourlangie, viewed more rock art, wondered how the original inhabitants lived in this land and sheltered in and around the rocks. Walked around the Anbongbong Billabong and saw lots of bird-life and walked up close to a crocodile in the wild (luckily he (or she) was just sunning itself and presented no danger to use (as long as we stayed some distance away), climbed to the top of a large rocky outcrop, named Nanguluwur. Went on a 6 kilometres hike during the hottest part of the day to drink some water beside Gubara pools, 'coz the guide said that it was 'a pleasant place to spend the heat of the day', which we read to mean the whole walk, not just the place. Wrong.  We earned our beer that night! Walking through sandy creek beds is bloody hard work for us grey nomads!

Aboriginal Rock Art at Nourlangie Rock.

Anbongbong Billabong with Nourlangie Rock in background and crocodile at water's edge.

Ending the day with a swim in the pool, a beer and feed (of over-cooked barra) at the pool-side bistro was a lovely way to conclude the Jabiru experience...so off to Cooinda, a whole 52 or 53 k's down the road.

In that region (which is also called Yellow-waters) we wandered through very typical Kakadu open-forest and nearly got bushed....but the red car is very visible if one is in the right area! Then thought we were on the right track for the Mardugal Billabong and missed it by that much (a half-hour walk to no-where) so later we had to enjoy a lovely swim in the Cooinda Resort pool...

Then on the next day we had to get up while it was still dark so that we could do a touristy 'sunrise' boat tour of Yellow Waters. A bloody marvellous experience. Although the temperature was quite cool (for a change) we enjoyed watching the sun rise over the flood plains, with steam rising off the water and grasslands. Saw lotsa bird-life of various descriptions, a water buffalo and crocs here and crocs there....Gerry even stated that she was 'croced out'. Another walk to the top of a hill to see the surrounding area and we were walked out. So, off to the pool for a relaxing swim followed by one beer at the bar. Spag bol and a quiet red for dinner again. All is good.

Buffalo at Yellow Waters

Off to Mary River Roadhouse tomorrow....followed by a couple of days here and there as we head to Alice Springs, (yes back to the fresher temperatures!) We will not have on-line access during this time, so see you later and keep well, we are!!!

Day 34 Sunday 21 July and Day 35 Monday 22 July 2013.

Sunday was our last full day in Darwin. After morning walkies, ablutions and brekky, we had a few things to do to get the van and car ready for touring again after our fortnight off. So we did those things very slowly and without any method and minimal planning. Having plenty of time to fluff around and do stuff was good.

Later in the afternoon we went for a drive back to Darwin CBD, stopping off here and there to take a few last photos of this and that that we hadn't done at some other time but should have.

Darwin CBD from Charles Darwin Park

Sign at Charles Darwin Park: Advice or a head-line...you choose!

Having done that we lashed out and bought a cold roast chook from Woolies and proceeded to Jan's place for last drinks and dinner. She had the footy going when we got there with the cats 5 goals up at that time. I got myself comfortable and the girls went outside to chat (Jan is a bombers supporter and Gerry just doesn't care). Given the result of the game I should have gone outside with them as well! Bloody disgraceful. Anyway.....

After a slap-up dinner of chook and pre-prepared salad (also from Woolies but by Jan) we said our good-byes and thank you's and what-have-you's and returned to the van.

Up at the usual time on Monday but no walkies, just ablutions and brekky. Hitched the van up without any dramas and off to Kakadu we go. Fewer than 250 k's to destination. Stopped at a place called Bark Hut on the way. That place has changed dramatically since we were last there 25 years ago....still has a lot of character but much more orientated towards tourists these days.

Seen better days at Bark Hut.

Arrived at Jabiru at about lunch-time. We stayed at the Kakadu Aurora Resort and Caravan park (or something like that). It's a very large park with the van sites in circular fashion, each site being larger as you move to the outer circles....great geometry.The pool, bar and cafe/restaurant are in the very centre of the park.  Also it's a 'pick your own site', so we did that and set up.

After the obligatory shopping excursion we spent a while lazing about the pool. Spent a beautiful evening , with a full moon, some cloud about and very balmy temperature. Just made for a quiet ale or two. Good-night.

Day 33. Saturday 20 July 2013.

It's Saturday, hence a nice half-hour sleep-in and then coffee and brekky....no early morning walkies on a Saturday!

Just hung around the park for the morning and then into Darwin we go. Stopped  to check out the Charles Darwin National Park on the way. Go for a bit of a wander to the look-out and who should be pass, none other than Donny Phalp who is having a picnic there with his friends Alan and Maria. So we stop and say g'day and make arrangements for a quiet get together at happy hour time. 

At the harbour we sauntered (at Bali pace) along the sea-wall and 'round the Waterfront area, checking out all the places and shops we hadn't yet seen or been in. Geraldine bought herself a very nice necklace and found that that was such hard work that we had to go to the nearest licensed premises that had a view over the water and have a nice cold savvy blanc to recover. Extremely pleasant.

Later we went for a bit of a drive past Casuarina shopping centre to check out the house that Bill and Jill lived in years ago when they lived up here. Found it easily enough and it appears to be a good area. There were tradies hanging around the front so I didn't take a photo of it. Sorry Bill.

Go to the pool for a swim later in the day while Geraldine sits and reads her book or chats with anyone who cares to chat with her. Can be very talkative the old girl when she is in the mood (which is often).

The Pool area.

I have a couple of tinnies with Phalpy and chat about things that ex-coppers chat about then back to the van for happy hour. Tonight we go next door to Lyn and Jack who hail from from the northern climes of Melbourne (Reservoir way), ex-teachers. A wonderful time was had and we exchange our details 'coz they have a holiday house in Ocean Grove and they intend to invite us there during the summer. Isn't that nice...wait til they really get to know us.

Hey spag bol and a red wine for dinner tonight. Excellent.....and I will not watch the cricket!

Day 32. Friday 19 July 2013.

A quietish (spell-checker doesn't like that word at all) day. We thought that it would make a nice change to go for a swim in the salt water rather than the pool today. So off we choofed to Mindil Beach which is not that far from the centre of Darwin.

Arrive at the car park (which is where the night market is held) and it appears pretty well full. Move onto the beach and see that half of it is taken up by the the Life Saving Association (or whatever) who is holding their Australian Inflatable Rubber Boat (IRB) championships here today! Not to worry, we find that there is plenty of room further along the beach. There is even a life guard on duty there...yep, one. Gets to sit under a gazebo and gets to watch over us crazy tourists (this is not the time of year to go swimming according to the locals) while all his mates are having fun at the carnival. No wonder he looks pissed off!

The lonely life guard. Mindil Beach

Anyway, we have a swim in the nice warmish water (very warm by Victorian standards) but there is no surf! We find that the conditions are not all that pleasant, so after a couple of hours and a couple of swims, we head back to base and have a quiet time until dinner.

No happy hour tonight...we are off to enjoy an 'all you can eat' seafood and steak dinner at a place called 'The Jetty' which is at Darwin Waterfront. A very busy area at this time on a Friday evening and finding a car park was a hassle was eventually one was found. Yay! The Jetty is a nice establishment and we were shown to a fine table on the outside deck. Pleasant view over Darwin Harbour, so all was good except that the food was not really all that flash. Just passing acceptable I suppose. Must be getting cranky in my old age. Anyway, we enjoy ourselves enough and do not leave hungry.

After tea I get to watch a bit of the footy and Gerry does her thing, i.e. goes off to bed for a read and a sleep.

Day 31. Thursday 18 July 2013.

O.K. Now where were we? Oh yes, Darwin......

No walkies this morning, we decided that the old bones needed a bit of a rest.

Off to see the fish feeding frenzy thing at a place called Doctor's Gully. We visited there some 25 years ago, so I know the drill, I just wanted to see if there have been any changes. Strewth have there been some changes! It is now completely commercialised and has the name of 'Aquascene' and instead of being freeone now pays to see and feed the fishies. Ahh, progress.

Getting ready to feed the fishies.

Still, mustn't whinge. We dutifully line up with the other tourists (locals don't visit), pay up and happily grab some bread and feed the fish. Is this some variation of the loaves and fishes parable or what? We spend some time amusing ourselves and the fish and then being amused watching other people do their thing.

We then wander off into the CBD and have a look around...Gerry needs some retail therapy from time to time and just looking around does the trick. Didn't even need to buy anything for a change. Had lunch in town before heading back via the bottle shop. I think the spend at the bottle shop is more than the spend at the petrol pump for a change. Oh well, pay day next week.

Back at the park I decide to go for a swim in the pool but it is shut again. Notice that the same sign advising that the pool is shut because of a problem with the pump, is displayed again. One of the maintenance guys has been beavering away at the garden and I reckon that is the real reason that the pool is closed...oh well.

We head off and collect Jan at about 4.30 p.m. Head off to the Mindel market to grab some tucker and a new hat for me....see previous entry for the reason why and see picture below for the choice. I like it, Gerry likes it too 'coz it makes her laugh! After wandering around for a short time we head off to East Point, find a nice spot and set up camp. Consume said tucker and a couple of drinks and watch the sun set over the bay....bloody magnificent. After dark we head back to Jan's place so that the girls can keep chatting and finish off their wine. Me, I'm driving so I just vege.

The Hat

Back at the van I decide to have a quick night cap and watch some of the cricket...that is the signal for Gerry to wander off to bed! Pommies 3 for not many at lunch which means nighty night for me.

Day 30. Wednesday 17 July 2013.

Today we have decided to be adventurous and spend a couple of hours at the wave pool, Darwin Waterfront.

Morning session starts at 1000 and we are there at 1015. We show our Seniors Cards very proudly and it costs us a whole 3 bucks each for four hours of fun....true grey nomad tight-arse stuff.

The wave pool thing is that the wave action starts on the hour and half-hour. The action lasts for 20 minutes (precisely) and then it rests for 10 minutes after which the action starts all over again. The facilities are great, the water temperature is just right and we have a ball gamboling around in the waves like a couple of kids. Just as well no-one knows us here otherwise bad stories might get back. We are even well-organised enough to have brought our lunch with us, so we can utilise the full four hours...which we nearly do. We find that so much 'gamboling' is bloody hard work after a while, so we call it quits after the one o'clock session (that was nearly 1.30 for those of you that haven't been listening.)

Wave Pool at Darwin Waterfront.

We eventually get back to the park and just relax, read a book and recover from the morning's exertions. Happy hour comes and goes, have a bit of a conversation with our new neighbours, Jack and Lyn. The I get to watch State of Origin rugby league and Gerry gets to go to bed early.

Day 29. Tuesday 16 July 2013.

Still in Darwin and will be for a while yet.

Got up at the usual time and went for our constitutional wander along the Stuart Highway shared footway or bike path if you prefer. Actually there are heaps of these things around the town....leaves Geelong for dead in this regard. We have some good ones but Darwin is really set-up well for commuting from the suburbs into town by bike. Some of the riders even use their bell to warn you of their approach...impressive.

We have decided to do a touristy thing or two today, so we head off to the Kakadu Highway to where it crosses the Adelaide River (not to be confused with the township of Adelaide River which is over 100 k's south of here) to do a bit of crocodile spotting. The family did something similar when we were up here in 1988. That was on a two storey boat but today we have decided to go with a smaller operation and hence a smaller boat.

We left the park at about 9.15 'coz we had to be there before 11. Had plenty of time so we stopped off at a place called Fogg Dam. The dam is really just a low earthen wall with a single lane road over the top. This wall creates a huge wet-land and even now during the dry there is sufficient water about to support a squillion birds.

Wetlands at Fogg Dam.

There is a sign near the start of the dam, that asks visitors to give the wall a break and walk over it rather than drive. However, just a bit further along there is another sign that states that walking across the wall is forbidden due to the presence of a large saltwater crocodile.....hence we drove!

After a quick look at the wetlands we drove onto the place where the croc tour departed. Still got there in plenty of time.

The boat is a glorified tinny really that seats about 30 persons.The sides have been built up to prevent the crocs from actually jumping into the boat and munching on a tourist or two...hope that it is high enough!

The tour guide is a bloke names Harry and he knows where all the crocs are and we have an extremely close look at quite a few. Two of them are great big males, one of which (Brutus) actually smashes into the side of the boat with his head when he misses the meat that is dangled off a pole for him to jump at. Scared the bejaysus out of us. The tour goes up and down the Adelaide River for a bit over an hour. This is a lovely bit of water. A very pleasant journey was had and I would recommend this tour to anyone. The only sad thing is whilst boarding someone lost his prized straw hat when a sudden gust of wind blew it off my head and into the Adelaide River it went....in spite of me having pulled it down as hard as I could prior to getting on the ramp. Nobody was game to jump in the water to try and retrieve it, especially the owner of said hat!

A Jumping Crocodile, Adelaide River.

After the tour we moved back towards Darwin a bit and stopped at the Humpty Doo pub for lunch. This is mining country and the clientele frequenting the outside dining area is salt-of-the-earth in nature and colourful in language. A broad mind was needed but the food was good and the re-introduced Territory Draught was cold and beautiful. I asked for a couple of draughts, expecting to get two pots (middies up here) but got two schooners (bloody big pots according to Darren) instead. One of those was enough for the driver..

The Boxing Crocodile at Humpty Doo...showing its age.

Had a nice quiet afternoon by the pool again. After dinner I challenged Geraldine to a game of euchre. Must have had a brain fade again....got beat up good.

Day 28. Monday 15 July 2013.

Out of bed early enough as always. Turn on the telly for a change and get informed that we lost the test by 16 runs. Turn telly off.

Nothing to report today really as were decided just to catch up with the grocery shopping and spend the afternoon in and around the pool.

Gerry's friend, Jan, is house sitting her daughter's (Pauline by name) new house. Pauline's family have decided to do something different and have headed off to Queenstown, New Zealand, for some snow-skiing. That should give their three children a real education! Anyway we wander over at about 5, Gerry armed with a bottle of wine and me with two stubbies, 'coz I'm allowed to drive again.

We spent the evening sitting beside the pool (of course they have one), chatting, eating take-away Chinese tucker, the girls drinking their wine and after the stubbies, I get to have a delightful water or two.

Hardly worth doing a blog isn't it....we'll have to lift our game and do a few more adventurous things. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

The van at Darwin...with the sun shades

Day 27. Sunday 14 July 2013.

What can one say about the weather in Darwin during the dry? Mostly sunny with the temperature in the low 30's, that is 31, 32 or 33. That's it. Very pleasant first thing in the a.m. Generally it is about 23, 24 degrees and calm at that time. Terrific for a brisk walk...which is what we do at about 7 a.m. The wind comes up mid-morning and blows fairly constantly from the east. It then settles down as evening arrives and the temperature drops to the high 20's. This is repeated day after day after day, until one gets totally bored with it.....I lie.

After the usual walk, quiet brekky and ablutions, we venture off to the Darwin Military Museum. This place is a relatively new venture and is a work in progress. However a reasonable display has been put together already. The 'piece de resistance' is a short film that has been put together which tells the story of the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese in February 1942. Having visited the war cemetery at Adelaide River where many of those killed during the air raids are buried, I found the whole thing very evocative. War is definitely not healthy for women, children and other living things!

The museum is based around one of the 9 pound guns that were built at East Point to defend Darwin from sea-borne attack....apparently nobody thought about the air-borne type which made these giant things absolutely useless...bugger!

The useless gun...humans are there for size comparison only.

We spent a couple of hours quietly wandering around the displays before heading back to base after a bit of shopping (more beer, more beer, more beer etc.) and then hung around the pool during the arvo. Had another chat with Phalpy who was there with a couple of friends. Watched a bit of the cricket (Gerry said 'bugger it' and went off to bed, not a fan of cricket is young Gezza!). Watched it until their lunch and I go to bed. 20 runs to get. Improbable but possible. Night, night, sleep tight, bloody midgees bite!

Day 26. Saturday 13 July 2013.

Today is Saturday. So its sleep-in day. Thought we'd do the same thing that we do at home and that is have a coffee in bed while watching a morning show on the telly. Drank the coffee and then Geraldine decides that she does not want to do the things we do at home, we are on holidays....out of bed and go and sit outside. No more telly.

After a leisurely brekky of bacon and eggs we drive off to the east Point area, park the car near Fannie Bay shops and go for a brisk walk along the foreshore. At one point we have the ocean on one side and a nice lake with green lawns around it on the other. Very pleasant.

After that it was over to a suburban area called Cullen Bay, an up-market marina area. Decided to have a coffee at a cafe called the Boathouse. Being quite warm now an iced-coffee was called for....that is what we got, espresso coffee shot with ice and a bit of frothy sweet milk. It was like having an ice-cold long black or macchiato. Not like a real iced-coffee. Oh well.

A late lunch and a nice dip in the pool after that. Left the pool area a bit early so that I could get onto the computer and stream the footy transmission. Decided 3 AW was the go. Sounds like the game was really scrappy due to the cold, wind and rain. What are those things?

No photos today. Sorry.

Day 21. Monday 8th July 2013.

Left Batchelor nine-ish for the 100 k trip to Darwin. Got to the Hidden Valley Tourist Park (they used to be known as 'caravan parks') bright and early before lunch. Feels really hot under the sun here, so the new you-beaut sun-shades are now in use.

Off to the supermarket to re-stock. Had to get some 'Carlton Dry' for Geraldine, who has developed a taste for same. Reckons it is more refreshing than white wine on a hot afternoon. Subjective but relevant.

Day 22. Tuesday 9th July 2013.

'Tis happy birthday to the lovely Geraldine, 62 years young. Gerry enjoyed a chat with Justine, Sam and Emily via Skype. We then had a quiet morning wandering around the Darwin foreshore, had a look at the wave pool and swimming area. Looks inviting. Might give it a try some time.We also crossed the road and had a look at the old World War 2 underground oil-storage area. These tunnels were built into the cliffs straight under Darwin City. They are VERY big but also very secure from the bombing that took place.

After a quiet day we were off to dinner with Geraldine's child-hood friend, Jan Easy (nee Ryan). We picked her up from her place and she presented Gerry with a parcel of birthday cards which had been sent to Jan's place by the kids, grand-kids and others. The old girl became some-what emotional, she loved it!

Not a bad meal at a Darwin restaurant...bit like the old curate's egg, some good bits, some ordinary bits. But still, a nice time was had.

Wave Pool, Darwin Foreshore.

Inside one of the oil storage tunnels under Darwin.

Day 23. Wednesday 10th July 2013.

We are now going for an hour's walk first thing in the mornings...trying to maintain some sort of fitness. After brekky etc we're off into Darwin city (we are about 10 k's out). Hair-cut, walk around, cuppa coffee, then to Casuarina shopping centre for some more therapy. Back to the park and go for a swim. While in the pool I happen to recognise a bloke I used to work with...ex-Senior Constable Don Phalp, known as 'Phalpy', from Anglesea, Torquay and Geelong. He is travelling around Australia in his camper van and by happen-chance is staying here at the same park. Bloody small world I say. Have to have a beer with him now don't I, so I do. We do the usual ex-copper thing, that is talk about everything and anything except the job.

Day 24. Thursday 11th July 2013.

Another nice, hot 32 degree day. We decide to have a quiet day around the pool, before heading to the Night Market at Mindel. This market is somewhat different to most as while you have the usual market stalls, there is just about every type of food that you can think of available. Beautiful. More damage to the diet!

Darwin Sunset from Mindel Beach.

Day 25. Friday 12th July 2013.

After our usual Darwin morning routine we head off to the Territory Museum and Art Gallery. This place has a gallery that displays about all of the different aboriginal art styles found throughout the country. I thought that that style of art consisted of just dots...but no.

The display that is really the highlight, as well as thought-provoking, is the one that relates to the 'before, during and after' of  Cyclone Tracey. There are the usual old photographs and videos but there is also a sound-booth where a recording of the actual noise made by the winds, rain and crashing debris is played. It is really worth a visit.

After wandering around the museum for a couple of hours we do a bit of a tour around the area known as East Point. Very picturesque and a different perspective of Darwin is had from there.

We wanted to go for a swim after lunch but the bloody pool was closed due to a 'problem with the pump'. So mooch around the van instead...just as well it is severe beer-danger weather!

 Darwin from East Point.

Back Again, Again.

At Litchfield National Park, before Darwin.

It has now been a bit over a week and I have the time and inclination to re-visit the blog, just in case some-one out there is actually trying to follow it.

My last post was on 3rd of July, that being a Wednesday. Gerry and I have been quite busy since then. What I didn't realise at the time is that 3 July is the third anniversary of my retirement...three years already, how time flies.

On Thursday 4th July we travelled back south quite a few k's along a scenic route, to Douglas Hot Springs. We were last there in 1988. as expected it has changed quite a bit. There is now quite a camping ground there. The main spring has been shot-off from the public 'cause it is a aboriginal site of significance. However it is now quite easy to move downstream and find the spot where the very hot spring water meets the cold Douglas River...although quite shallow sitting in it is very relaxing.

Soaking at Douglas Hot Springs

After a bit of a paddle and a soak (ya' couldn't call it a swim) we had lunch near the river. We then moved off back to the Stuart Highway and stopped at Adelaide River pub. A great looking place, so we had to have a beer. The pub has got the stuffed water buffalo that was in the Crocodile Dundee movies mounted in the bar! Bloody long horns.

Charlie the buffalo, Adelaide River Pub.

Next day we travelled some 80'k northerly, bloody near Darwin, to Berry Springs. Spent a few hours wandering around the Territory Wildlife Park (fancy name for a native zoo really), then a swim at Berry Springs (very deep, clear water) after lunch. Lovely.

The idea for Saturday was to travel along this 4 W D track to some old homestead and another waterfall. However we met a creek crossing only a few hundred metres into the drive. After watching a couple of bigger Pajero type 4 W D's get through I decide that the water is too deep for the Territory (which has a low air intake for the diesel). So we turn around and head back to Wangi Falls. Join the throng there for lunch and do the walk around the top (again).

The main pool at Berry Springs...delightful.

Big footy game on Saturday nite wasn't there...yeah Wallabies v British Lions. No TV or internet reception at the van, so go to the bar where they have a booster and digital reception. Got to the TV and had the remote for a while, so a saw the start of the Cats v Hawks classic. Then I was pestered (nicely I must say) by these rugby types to switch over every now and again to get a score. I did that for a while, then we lost the signal, so I went back to the van. Still no luck with the TV, no internet reception and the radio was all noise. I eventually wandered back to the bar and lo and behold, we have a TV signal...on the rugby. Watch it til the end. Wallabies got flogged so the rugby-ites wandered off which left three blokes to sit back and watch the last quarter of the real footy. A happy result in the end...Gerry reckons that I was like a cat on a hot tin roof all evening...who me???

View of part of Litchfield Tourist Park

Quiet day on Sunday. Just mooch around a bit, doing some maintenance stuff that may or may not have needed doing. Gerry did some washing, I washed the car (allowed to use ya hose here), visited the bar for last drinks and got ourselves psyched for the long drive to Darwin the next day...all of 100 k's.

 A Jabaru that visited the paddock behind our van, LTP.

The days of Litchfield National Park

The days of Litchfield National Park.

For those who have been wondering what has happened to the marvelous blog, the following should let you know.

Geraldine and I arrived at the Litchfield Tourist Park last Friday, 28th June. Even though we are only 13 k's from the township of Batchelor, the caravan park has no connectivity with Telstra mobile, unless one stands out near the roadway and a VERY weak signal MAY be received. Hence no blogging while we are there.

We have decided to have a quiet day today and drive into Batchelor to do some shopping and other things, so I have taken advantage of the VERY strong signal here and do come computer stuff, like banking and footy tips and super-coach and a very quick blog. The blog is only short 'coz the lap-top is running off battery, which as we all know has a limited time.

We have been having a good look around Litchfield Park, with lots of walking/hiking/climbing, looking at lots of scenery and sights (are they the same thing?). We will be touring to the Daly/Douglas park area and Berry Springs over the next few days. We should then be in Darwin as planned next Monday 8th July. I intend to compose a nice detailed blog when we get there.

Cheers and hope you are having a good time, 'coz we are.

 Lovely scenery at The Lost City

A dip in the pool ABOVE Tjaetaba Falls