Saturday 30th July - Darwin to Katherin - 11,624 Km

Saturday 30^th July – 11624 Km

Yea, off this morning to Kakadu. A few stops along the way – jumping crocadile cruises etc., but nothing took our fancy, so after lunch we pressed on. Not a very interesting drive. We pulled into Merl campground and dropped off the trailers to reserve a spot (learning) and then drove around the corner to Ubirr -to see the rock paintings and view the sunset from an outcrop. Well, that was once of those experiences you can put on a “Bucket List”. We were very impressed. Sitting up on the top of this rock, overlooking a huge flood plain. A Parks Ranger briefly describing the land, people, culture, art – made it a memorable experience. Learnned (I am having a problem with these nnnnasty 'N's – they seem to have a stutter and I keep having to return and delete them, no mmore , hahm, hah hah, now my mmmmms have them, all without anny 'medicine either) Now, where was I. Oh yes, we learned so much about indigenous culture – some 'incidents' in Fremantle make sense nnow. We were all amazed no one ever explains this. We all raced off the rock enmass and the mossies descended. They had hit the camp and cooking dinner was a challenge with the mossies as thick as a blanket. We forgot to close the kitchenn door when we went to bed, so I was entertaind by my nearest and dearest leaping aroud the camper flicking towels at the walls of the camper trying to kill the little blighters. I half expected to wake up covered in lumps and itchy bumps, but we were ok.

Friday 29th July - Darwin

Friday 29^th July

Malcolm took Dmax off for it's 10,000 km service. We have had such a saga trying to book it in, then reschedule, service dept never open, sales guys not passing on messages etc. Finally we had spoken to someone who seemed to know what they were doing, last Friday and she had sent us an email to confirm the booking. Turns out Isuzu gives their vehicles to Mitsubishi to service, and Malcolm caught up with Richard, surprise surprise, as his Pajero was also being serviced. Anyway, they had no record of any of our details (despite Malcolm having given them on 3 separate occsions). So we were the at the end of the line. It took all day, so I had a leisurely time finishing off my book in the shade with my feet dangling in the pool. I hate caravan parks, everyone crammed in like sardines, living on top of one another, but today I was grateful for the pool. We raced off to Coles at 5:00 pm after the car was ready. I was so impressed. The butchers was sooo good. Grass fed rump steak at 11.99. In Coles, 3 extra large avocados for $3.00. We all agreed, we are being ripped off in Perth. Back to camp to mount the camper back on to Dmax. It went smoothly. But we did discover we had filled up our 120 litre water tank with non-drinking water – after I had specifically asked a garden staff member which tap to use! So it was an empty out and refil job. I will be quite glad to get back to the bush again.

Thursday 28th July - Darwin - 11,495 Km

Thursday 28^th July – Darwin 11495 Km

Darwin must have the noisiest dawn chorus I have ever heard! After a few domestic chores we set off into town. We had a broken spotty cover, we found a spare in TJM. Further into town ANZ was our next port of call to collect Malcolm's replacement Visa. We had to walk past an op shop, so I ducked in and for the first time ever, I couldn't find a single thing to buy. Never mind there would be more. Sure enough I found a bargain in the Red Cross just around the corner. We drove around the esplanade and ended up parking opposite the Mindil markets and walked around the botanical gardens. Some interesting trees, and even better wrought iron gates, with some creative art work. Off to the markets for 4:30. They are well known for their food stalls, and they didn't disappoint. A bit more than the Freo Markets. Didn't stay long though, and after a nice Indian headed back to the park.

Wednesday 27th July - Florene Falls to Darwi - 11,371 Km

Wednesday 27^th July – Florence Falls to Darwin – 11371 Km

After an early morning swim in a crystal clear pool (all to ourselves), an egg and bacon breakfast we said goodbye to our neighbours only to discover they have a travelling companion “Ted”. We eagerly introduced Ted to Max and Hudson and much hilarity ensured as they exchanged travel adventures. Ted was a bit older than our 2 fur kids and was a bit of a 'thread' bear, but he had obviously led a very full life. A group photo, and we were on our way. Halfway up the hill Webmaster (Michael) called out we had coverage so we pulled over to call up Isuzu in Darwin to see if our messages had got through re the 10,000 km service for Dmax, turns out they had no info at all, not even our original booking for the previous Monday – country town huh? Told Michael we were all sorted and pulling out again, when there was a voice on the radio “Is that you Trish?” It was our good friends Tom and Vicky and they were only up the road from us, so we all called in to Buley Hole and caught up news/travel etc whilst cooling off in the beautiful pools. I need more adjectives for these water holes. Then decided to convoy together to Batchelor, where we had a picnic lunch and lots more nattering. Vicky showed me around their Hilton Hotel – WOW, very flash I must say. We parted company, they were meeting up with friends in Katherine and we were rejoining Trev and Rachel and Helen and Richard in Darwin. We arrived and got ourselves set up in Howard Springs Caravan Park. We decided we would demount our Hu (hump on the Ute) for the first time. We entertained Richard and Helen, who discretely watched our bumbling around. Eventually got Hu high enough and Dmax low enough to separate the 2. It might be fun remounting Hu as the grass is quite uneven and puts the tray at all sorts of angles as you drive over them. Found we were camped beside another couple that Malcolm had met 2 nights go. He had introduced himself to them as they had Mandurah number plates, but turned out to be from Booragoon.

Litchfield to Darwin - 11371 Km

After an early morning swim in a crystal clear pool (all to ourselves), an egg and bacon breakfast we said goodbye to our neighbours only to discover they have a travelling companion “Ted”. We eagerly introduced Ted to Max and Hudson and much hilarity ensured as they exchanged travel adventures. Ted was a bit older than our 2 fur kids and was a bit of a 'thread' bear, but he had obviously led a very full life. A group photo, and we were on our way. Halfway up the hill Webmaster (Michael) called out we had coverage so we pulled over to call up Isuzu in Darwin to see if our messages had got through re the 10,000 km service for Dmax, turns out they had no info at all, not even our original booking for the previous Monday – country town huh? Told Michael we were all sorted and pulling out again, when there was a voice on the radio “Is that you Trish?” It was our good friends Tom and Vicky and they were only up the road from us, so we all called in to Buley Hole and caught up news/travel etc whilst cooling off in the beautiful pools. I need more adjectives for these water holes. Then decided to convoy together to Batchelor, where we had a picnic lunch and lots more nattering. Vicky showed me around their Hilton Hotel – WOW, very flash I must say. We parted company, they were meeting up with friends in Katherine and we were rejoining Trev and Rachel and Helen and Richard in Darwin. We arrived and got ourselves set up in Howard Springs Caravan Park. We decided we would demount our Hu (hump on the Ute) for the first time. We entertained Richard and Helen, who discretely watched our bumbling around. Eventually got Hu high enough and Dmax low enough to separate the 2. It might be fun remounting Hu as the grass is quite uneven and puts the tray at all sorts of angles as you drive over them. Found we were camped beside another couple that Malcolm had met 2 nights go. He had introduced himself to them as they had Mandurah number plates, but turned out to be from Booragoon.

Litchfield National Park- 11329 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.

Tuesday 26th July Wangy Falls 11,329

Tuesday 26^th July – Wangi Falls to 4WD campsite near Florence falls – 11,329 Km

Forgot to mention other than Michael and myself, everyone else had gone for a walk to the Wangi Falls. As they were not swimmable I had decided to stay 'home' and prep dinner – I would look at Malcolms photos :) A good start in the morning, re-airing the tyres as most of the driving would be on tarmac today and Malcolm and Rachael guiding Trev back to rehitch his trailer (with the flat jockey wheel). First stop The Cascades. A 1.7 km hike again, (but we were still fresh). Yet another pool and falls, so the inevitable 'play' in the water, before walking back via the creek (babbling brook). Either side of which quite thick monsoon forest. Interestingly 20 meters back from the creek the landscape changes back to dry scrub. On again to Tolmer Falls. As there are several bat colonies living here, you are not allowed to enter the gorge, but there is a lovely lookout to view the falls from. It was now lunch time and decided we had better hunt for and reserve ourself a campspot (learning by now the early bird gets the biggest/levelest site). Headed up to Florence Falls and saw a sign for 4x4 camping. Turned in and after jump starting someone with a flat battery, found ourselves a very suitable place for the night. It is only about a 20 m walk to some swimming holes and a 15 minutes 'easy' (so the sign says) walk to Florence. So I will close up here for now and head up there. Well, this is a choice spot. A 20m walk to numerous swimming holes in the babbling brook, all over hung by shady, palms and pandanas, quite a paradise, some little holes quite deep and sandy bottomed. Another 15 minute walk up this creek comes out at Florence Falls. Whilst these are quite high and lots of water with a large swimming hole around the base, it was far too busy – I guess because it was easy access by road, and all the tours from Darwin would head here. Nevertheless it was interesting watching a few young lads test their nerve climbing up the rock face to leap off the top. A beautiful Monsoon Forest through Shady Creek just past this. Most enjoyable. Got chatting to some other campers who had come from Cape York so we were all eager to pick their brains. Some challenging driving ahead of us I think. I looked at the boys faces whilst the stories were being told and could tell they are all itching to get there and test their driving abilities.