Sunday 24 Perry's

Sunday 24^th July – At Perry's on the Daly

Trev, Richard and Malcolm set off early in the dinghy eager for some good fishing. Had a lovely slow start, nice and warm, beautiful tropical surroundings. Us girls got down to some house keeping, checking out the washing machine facilities etc. Decided to put up the awnings for the first time, what fun, think I made a good job. Had lots of help for Jamie and Lewis with the mallet and tent pegs for the guy ropes. The boys returning late morning, had seen a croc on the bank but caught nothing but a cat fish. During lunch, Malcolm got a fire going and attempted a chocolate cake, so I hopped in there with a bread dough. The wood was deceptively hot, so outside of cake was a tad toooo dark, but was able to cut it in half and scoop out enough insides to share with everyone, despite the crusty coating everyone approved. The bread was next and with only a few shades too dark on the underside, it got the ticks up at dinner. We spotted a large croc up river ,on the opposite bank thankfully. The boys went off to try their luck again with losing lures, and us girls finished off the washing and pressing(once dry, fold and press back into the box :-). Michael gave me a computer lesson. If you are reading this on my blog you will know he is a good teacher! The lads came back, Malcolm with the biggest smile on his face. He had landed 3 very large barra, and Trevor a slightly smaller one. They went off to 'process' them and then it was all on for us to make up salads/veges, get the fire restoked. Trev cooked up the fish beautifully over the fire which we thoroughly enjoyed along with my fresh bread, despite a slightly burnt bottom, it was ok. We will have more than enough for another full meal for all of us (that is 7 adults and 2 chilluns) so despite the dinghy costing $200 to hire that is still good value. Fish that fresh is soooo good.

Forgot to mention, last night whilst Trev was picking wood up for the fire he disturbed quite a long python, we were all interested and took lots of photos. Later that evening, Rachael nearly stepped on it whilst walking back to their trailer. This snake parked itself in the middle of our campers and was very slow in making its exit. So tonight we are very aware of lighting the ground in front of us and not blindly trecking over the dirt! It certainly makes you more aware of nature around you. The owner told us they used to have a python in the ablution block, and everyone was fascinated when it ate a possum, giving it a rather large girth. Apparently it made for very interesting python poo! - fur and bones etc :-) It has been a lovely day, and tomorrow will retrace our steps back to Stuart Highway, turn north and head back into the top end of Litchfield Park.