Unfortunately, I'd had a very bad night & seemed to have picked up a "bug" of some kind - aching joints, very sore throat, high temperature & tightness in the chest. I spent the whole of Thursday lying down, in the hope that I'd be able to shake it off. I did begin to recover, slowly, but felt as though I'd been hit with a sledge hammer!
Bob had a game of golf with Charlie, but otherwise it was a quiet day.
Thursday 12 July 2012
Wed., 11 July 2012 - A visit to Katherine Gorge
The day started with a panic when I shut the caravan door & somehow it managed to lock itself! The van & car keys were all inside. Bob & Charlie had to unscrew a flywire & reach in with a long pole to take the keys off the hook they were hanging on (what a good thing they were on a hook - they could have been in a drawer!) All's well that ends well. We were soon sitting outside eating bacon & egg.
At 12 midday, we drove to Katherine Gorge where we had booked a cruise. We met the boat at 1pm & were taken into three different gorges, which involved two vessel changes, (each boat operated within its designated area). There were a couple of walks, in the hot sun, between boat changes, which I found difficult. However, I managed & it was well worth it, as the scenery was awe-inspiring - sheer walls with trees clinging to them precariously; rocks, rapids & a couple of fresh water crocodiles (apparently, of the harmless variety, but I wouldn't have been keen to put it to the test!) We also saw a small, black snake that lay on a rock, then slithered into the water.
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On our way back through the magnificent gorges, those who had brought swimwear cooled off in the water. Unfortunately, we hadn't realised this was going to be possible, otherwise I would have done the same.
It was a great experience that we wouldn't have missed. However, I was exhausted at the end of it & was grateful to crash out on the bed!
At 12 midday, we drove to Katherine Gorge where we had booked a cruise. We met the boat at 1pm & were taken into three different gorges, which involved two vessel changes, (each boat operated within its designated area). There were a couple of walks, in the hot sun, between boat changes, which I found difficult. However, I managed & it was well worth it, as the scenery was awe-inspiring - sheer walls with trees clinging to them precariously; rocks, rapids & a couple of fresh water crocodiles (apparently, of the harmless variety, but I wouldn't have been keen to put it to the test!) We also saw a small, black snake that lay on a rock, then slithered into the water.
On our way back through the magnificent gorges, those who had brought swimwear cooled off in the water. Unfortunately, we hadn't realised this was going to be possible, otherwise I would have done the same.
It was a great experience that we wouldn't have missed. However, I was exhausted at the end of it & was grateful to crash out on the bed!
Tuesday 10 July 2012
Tues., 10 July 2012 - Rest day in Katherine
Since we seem to have reached the real heat, I decided to wash all our cold weather clothes, put them away & take out the shorts, T-shirts, etc. The jeans & long-sleeved tops are currently redundant.
With the domestic duties accomplished, we set out to have a look at the Ghan (Australia's equivalent of the Orient Express), as it made a stop in Katherine on its way to Darwin. It looked very impressive &, being a train buff, Bob was really interested in seeing it.
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We left the railway station & drove into town to stock up on supplies. The midday heat really sapped my energy & I was very glad to have a dip in the swimming pool when we returned to the campsite. Who should be in the pool, but the young friends we made way back at Uluru!
With the domestic duties accomplished, we set out to have a look at the Ghan (Australia's equivalent of the Orient Express), as it made a stop in Katherine on its way to Darwin. It looked very impressive &, being a train buff, Bob was really interested in seeing it.
Mon., 9 July 2012 - Mataranka to Katherine
Left the campsite at 9.30am to travel the 104km to Katherine. We visited the Thermal Pools before leaving town. They were 7km off the highway, in Kelsey National Park. We found a real oasis of Cabbage Palms & crystal clear pools, with a water temperature of 34C (would that I'd had time for a swim.)
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It seemed that an animal massacre had taken place as we left Mataranka - dead animals littered the road; it was a scavenger's delight & we saw large birds hovering above the corpses (hope I'm not becoming obsessed about roadkill, but it does seem excessive sometimes.)
It wasn't a long trip to Katherine & we arrived at 12.15pm. The "Big 4" site looked lovely - spacious, green & leafy. However, it was very hot (30C+) & hardly a breeze disturbed the foliage.
Just after dinner, we lost all power & had to rely on our batteries. We sat with Judy, Charlie & their neighbours & had a good chat before retiring at about 10.15pm.
We heard that red fruit bats were sleeping above us in the palm trees, but we didn't see any. However, we did see several small, honey-coloured kangaroos (possibly wallabies) hopping amongst the trees, obviously unconcerned about the people nearby.
It was quite humid in the palm grove & we both found the air heavy. Despite the humidity, we enjoyed this very different environment that really contrasted with the surrounding area.
It seemed that an animal massacre had taken place as we left Mataranka - dead animals littered the road; it was a scavenger's delight & we saw large birds hovering above the corpses (hope I'm not becoming obsessed about roadkill, but it does seem excessive sometimes.)
Facilities were good, so I changed the sheets & towels - they were washed & dried in no time at all.
Just after dinner, we lost all power & had to rely on our batteries. We sat with Judy, Charlie & their neighbours & had a good chat before retiring at about 10.15pm.
Sunday 8 July 2012
Sun., 8 July 2012 - Daly Waters to Mataranka
Another perfect morning - bright, sunny & with a cloudless sky. People were either enjoying breakfast outside their caravans, or preparing to "hit the road". We filled our water tanks & were ready to leave by 9.15am.
Some huge roadtrains began to appear on the road & we pulled over to allow a couple of them to pass us. They seemed massive as they thundered by & nothing in their path would have stood a chance - scary!
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| Fran's place |
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| meet Fran! |
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| Charlie doesn't really like scones, jam & cream but he forced himself! |
We stopped at an establishment known as "Fran's" for morning coffee, scones, jam, cream & banana cake. It was a real experience as Fran was quite a character! She served good, wholesome food & we also bought one of her excellent pies to have for dinner, later on. What a girl - her talents were widely known & she wasn't short of customers. She sure was a "goer" & had the banter to accompany the service, despite having no teeth! Some of the notices that she had posted on the walls were unbelievable: "Please don't pinch my toilet paper or soap. I have security cameras, operating 24/7!" She could obviously look after herself & appeared to be one of life's survivors.
Unlike Fran, many of the poor animals that we saw along the roadside had not known how to look after themselves. There were a lot of dead kangaroos today, as well as two cows, one of the Brahma variety, with a humped back. I continued to pray that nothing would run out in front of us!
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| One of the monster trucks - it had three huge trailers behind it. |
Today's journey was not as long as yesterday's & we settled into our campsite at Mataranka in time for lunch. It was pleasantly warm so Judy & I changed into our swimsuits & relaxed on chairs outside the caravans. Currently, the fan is keeping me cool as I write - things are warming up!
Sat., 7 July 2012 - Attack Creek to Daly Waters
We couldn't believe that we'd slept for 11 hours - we must have needed the rest; yesterday's drive had been a very long one.
The weather was beautiful again & it was the first morning that we hadn't put heat on in the van. The temperature was already 16C at 9.30am & later rose to 26C.
The views were attractive as we left Attack Creek & we seemed to be at quite a height, overlooking a vast plain below that stretched into infinity.
It became greener as we approached Renner Springs & there was water in some of the creeks. The possible hazard of wandering stock, from unfenced land, was an ever-present concern.
En-route to Daly Waters, the vegetation was dense & we continued to see the lovely yellow bushes that we had become accustomed to. The verges were well-kept along most of the route, which amazed us, as it must have required continual attention. A lot of controlled burning had obviously taken place to prevent areas of undergrowth from becoming fire hazards.
Finally, we reached Daly Waters, where we took two of the last five powered sites. We had a great night at the pub there - just a look at the walls & ceiling was entertainment in itself; all kinds of collections adorned the place - hats, underpants, bras, etc., etc.!
The weather was beautiful again & it was the first morning that we hadn't put heat on in the van. The temperature was already 16C at 9.30am & later rose to 26C.
The views were attractive as we left Attack Creek & we seemed to be at quite a height, overlooking a vast plain below that stretched into infinity.
It became greener as we approached Renner Springs & there was water in some of the creeks. The possible hazard of wandering stock, from unfenced land, was an ever-present concern.
En-route to Daly Waters, the vegetation was dense & we continued to see the lovely yellow bushes that we had become accustomed to. The verges were well-kept along most of the route, which amazed us, as it must have required continual attention. A lot of controlled burning had obviously taken place to prevent areas of undergrowth from becoming fire hazards.
Finally, we reached Daly Waters, where we took two of the last five powered sites. We had a great night at the pub there - just a look at the walls & ceiling was entertainment in itself; all kinds of collections adorned the place - hats, underpants, bras, etc., etc.!
Our meals were superb - you could choose between steak, barramundi, or a piece of both. My barramundi was succulent & I shall try to have as much of it as I can whilst we are in the Northern Territory, where it is renowned for being excellent.
A very funny comedian entertained us - a real "ocker Aussie", who called a spade a spade, didn't mince his words & wasn't afraid to shock (it would probably have been difficult to shock some of those who were listening!)
Friday, 6 July 2012 - Alice Springs to Attack Creek
We left Alice at 8.30am. The sun was bright, but it was still cold, first thing. However, we were 600m above sea level, which may have had an effect upon the temperature. We were still a long way from Darwin - about 1450km - the temperature there was 29C; lovely, if there was no humidity.
We crossed the Tropic of Capricorn. Saw termite mounds popping up in the grass; also saw two enormous eagles.
Listened to one of our "talking books" ("Not Safe After Dark", by Peter Robinson) - a good way to pass a long journey.
Stopped at Wycliffe Well to refuel & have some lunch. It's known as the UFO capital of Australia & there were little green men at the filling station.
The temperature rose to 20C. Pretty yellow bushes lined the roadsides & a few huge trucks passed us as we drove along, though not as many as we'd expected (hope I haven't spoken too soon!)
Stopped to have a look at the "Devil's Marbles", which were fantastic rock formations, some perched precariously on top of one another. The termite hills became bigger & very numerous.
We crossed the Tropic of Capricorn. Saw termite mounds popping up in the grass; also saw two enormous eagles.
Listened to one of our "talking books" ("Not Safe After Dark", by Peter Robinson) - a good way to pass a long journey.
Stopped at Wycliffe Well to refuel & have some lunch. It's known as the UFO capital of Australia & there were little green men at the filling station.
The temperature rose to 20C. Pretty yellow bushes lined the roadsides & a few huge trucks passed us as we drove along, though not as many as we'd expected (hope I haven't spoken too soon!)
Stopped to have a look at the "Devil's Marbles", which were fantastic rock formations, some perched precariously on top of one another. The termite hills became bigger & very numerous.
We passed through Tenant Creek & planned to camp at Lake Mary Ann - however, overnight camping wasn't permitted & so we drove another 60km to Attack Creek, where a policeman was set upon & killed in the 1800's (we hoped that things had improved since then!) It all seemed very friendly & we had drinks around a campfire with a group of fellow travellers.
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