Hot Spring to Perry's - 11118 Km

In to Katherine, quick stop into Woolworths for some groceries (medicine chest still ok). Headed north to Daly Waters to find the hot springs. Being school holidays (and a public holiday in Darwin) found the campsite quite full. Managed to find a space for our 4 vehicles, lunch and down into the creek for a soak. Very interesting one cold and one hot creek converging, with only a very small spot where the water was comfortable. We plonked (read 'plonk' not plank) ourselves down next to a couple from Bunbury, heh such a small world. It was a couple of hours before we could drag ourselves out, but then when we got back to the campsite, there were even more people there. Absolutely surrounded by tarps, vans of every description and tents, smoke from fires. Oh well we have to share this beautiful land occasionally. Not a good night, our camping area was engulfed by a mob of young “yobbos”. They carried on into the early hours of the morning, with disgraceful behaviour.

W of Katherine to Douglas Hot Spring - 10722 Km

In to Katherine, quick stop into Woolworths for some groceries (medicine chest still ok). Headed north to Daly Waters to find the hot springs. Being school holidays (and a public holiday in Darwin) found the campsite quite full. Managed to find a space for our 4 vehicles, lunch and down into the creek for a soak. Very interesting one cold and one hot creek converging, with only a very small spot where the water was comfortable. We plonked (read 'plonk' not plank) ourselves down next to a couple from Bunbury, heh such a small world. It was a couple of hours before we could drag ourselves out, but then when we got back to the campsite, there were even more people there. Absolutely surrounded by tarps, vans of every description and tents, smoke from fires. Oh well we have to share this beautiful land occasionally. Not a good night, our camping area was engulfed by a mob of young “yobbos”. They carried on into the early hours of the morning, with disgraceful behaviour.

Drovers Rest to W of Katherine - 10417 Km

Relaxed start, eggs and bacon, and off we went again, lots of hard rocky track, not difficult, but uncomfortable, a few small creek crossings. Back on the Victoria Highway, we sailed along into Victoria River Downs. Picturesque, lovely escarpment, lush green big river. Lunch and off we went again. Decided not to head into Katherine so pulled up for a bush camp 30 km W of Katherine, again plenty of time to catch up on domestic duties (washing), lots of large boab trees, Jamie and Lewis found some of the nuts – size of a small rugby ball – with a velvity covering.

Tops Springs to Drovers Rest - 10067 Km

Sadly I had to say goodbye to Cory and she dropped me back at the Big 4. We decamped and headed into town. Had to pay a visit to the ANZ as Malcolm had discovered someone had 'used' our Visa card to purchase an Emirates ticket to Dubai ($2000). ANZ cancelled his card but Malcolm had to fill in form at the bank and arrange to pick up a new card in Darwin. Walked passed an op shop which insisted I went in. Found a new 100% merino wool sleeveless sweater for $3 that had my name on it. A delightful lady from Yorkshire served me and I had to bring Malcolm back to meet her :) She looked like an older version of Malcolm's first girlfriend Sue! After a quick car wash and fuel up we had to leave Alice to meet up with the others at Ti Tree. We were half an hour late getting there but the others hadn't arrived, so time for lunch.

Was entertained by a pack of mongrel dogs jumping in and out of a rubbish, bin. Eventually we were all in convoy again heading north on the Stuart Highway hoping to spend the night at the Devils Marbles. Michael's Bush Pub book advised us that the Barrow Creek pub was along the way, so we had a short stopover to taste their wares. This pub is famous for the Peter Falconio 'murder mystery' being where Lee managed to raise the alarm of the incident. Whilst Michael and Malcolm decided that their thirst wasn't quite quenched and needed another round, the Kingstons and Theunissens set off to find a camping spot for the night. We were soon in pursuit again, after getting the book autographed. Heard from the others over the radio that the Devils Marbles campsite was chokkers, so we started looking for any other suitable place, but no luck and eventually caught up at the overflow carpark. A pleasant social night, dry and not too cold.

Devils Marbles to Top Springs - 9435 Km

Sadly I had to say goodbye to Cory and she dropped me back at the Big 4. We decamped and headed into town. Had to pay a visit to the ANZ as Malcolm had discovered someone had 'used' our Visa card to purchase an Emirates ticket to Dubai ($2000). ANZ cancelled his card but Malcolm had to fill in form at the bank and arrange to pick up a new card in Darwin. Walked passed an op shop which insisted I went in. Found a new 100% merino wool sleeveless sweater for $3 that had my name on it. A delightful lady from Yorkshire served me and I had to bring Malcolm back to meet her :) She looked like an older version of Malcolm's first girlfriend Sue! After a quick car wash and fuel up we had to leave Alice to meet up with the others at Ti Tree. We were half an hour late getting there but the others hadn't arrived, so time for lunch.

Was entertained by a pack of mongrel dogs jumping in and out of a rubbish, bin. Eventually we were all in convoy again heading north on the Stuart Highway hoping to spend the night at the Devils Marbles. Michael's Bush Pub book advised us that the Barrow Creek pub was along the way, so we had a short stopover to taste their wares. This pub is famous for the Peter Falconio 'murder mystery' being where Lee managed to raise the alarm of the incident. Whilst Michael and Malcolm decided that their thirst wasn't quite quenched and needed another round, the Kingstons and Theunissens set off to find a camping spot for the night. We were soon in pursuit again, after getting the book autographed. Heard from the others over the radio that the Devils Marbles campsite was chokkers, so we started looking for any other suitable place, but no luck and eventually caught up at the overflow carpark. A pleasant social night, dry and not too cold.

Alice to Devils Marbles - 9033 Km

Sadly I had to say goodbye to Cory and she dropped me back at the Big 4. We decamped and headed into town. Had to pay a visit to the ANZ as Malcolm had discovered someone had 'used' our Visa card to purchase an Emirates ticket to Dubai ($2000). ANZ cancelled his card but Malcolm had to fill in form at the bank and arrange to pick up a new card in Darwin. Walked passed an op shop which insisted I went in. Found a new 100% merino wool sleeveless sweater for $3 that had my name on it. A delightful lady from Yorkshire served me and I had to bring Malcolm back to meet her :) She looked like an older version of Malcolm's first girlfriend Sue! After a quick car wash and fuel up we had to leave Alice to meet up with the others at Ti Tree. We were half an hour late getting there but the others hadn't arrived, so time for lunch.

Was entertained by a pack of mongrel dogs jumping in and out of a rubbish, bin. Eventually we were all in convoy again heading north on the Stuart Highway hoping to spend the night at the Devils Marbles. Michael's Bush Pub book advised us that the Barrow Creek pub was along the way, so we had a short stopover to taste their wares. This pub is famous for the Peter Falconio 'murder mystery' being where Lee managed to raise the alarm of the incident. Whilst Michael and Malcolm decided that their thirst wasn't quite quenched and needed another round, the Kingstons and Theunissens set off to find a camping spot for the night. We were soon in pursuit again, after getting the book autographed. Heard from the others over the radio that the Devils Marbles campsite was chokkers, so we started looking for any other suitable place, but no luck and eventually caught up at the overflow carpark. A pleasant social night, dry and not too cold.

Alice with Cory

I had arranged to meet up with an old friend from Melbourne who had been living in Alice for over 11 years. She picked me up in the morning and we didn't stop chatting until bedtime (I slept over at her place). The Kingstons and Theunissens headed east to Ruby Valley, but Malcolm and Michael stayed put to 'catch up' with car stuff and explore Alice. They walked down through Todd Mall to the Town and 'Country bar for a few beers and live music. A good relaxing afternoon. Went back to the camp to watch the didgeridoo concert, very entertaining and walked to the pub round the corner for a $10 carvery, great value. They were 'picked up' by Miss Marguerite, from the local Lutheran Aboriginal College (Yulara). She took them of this school where she educated M and M on their efforts to teach Indigenous children the basics of the whitemans world. An extremely difficult and challenging task, but with the passion shown by Miss Margurite we arre sure they aremaking progress. She then drove them on a night tour of Alice, including the casino, past the golf corse, across the Todd River pointing out the Woolworths discount fuel station, car wash facilities ending up at Anzac hill to view the lights of Alice, after which she dropped them off back at the Big 4. All in all a very relaxing and educative day.