Darwin in the DRY

Don't dare to use the terms summer, winter, autumn or spring in Darwin, they just don't exist. Whether you are talking to the locals or reading in the local news paper or magazine there ar only 2 terms used here, WET and DRY. It all makes sense .. who in their right mind could call it winter here when the temperatures are on average around the 28 to 30 mark. The Territorians love the dry and its easy to see why... the weather is fantastic.. beautiful warm days with clear blue skys then evening temperatures that drop to a temp that is perfect for sleeping.

We've enjoyed to catch up with friends whilst in Darwin and Pip has loved hanging out with other little kids such as Mingy, Beau ( not so little) and Brook. We took Mingster Beau and Pip to the wave pool yesterday which was great fun for them .. I however got a bit motion sick (hahaha) from all the battering of the waves, it's nothing like being at the beach really!!! but all in all a great cool off and quite exhausting for all.

For all of you who know Nic and Dan check out there cute boy Brook....6 years. We had dinner with those guys last night and of course a few wines.. Nic got sad when we left (and tried to make me cry). I don't think Dan will ever age! He doesn't look any different to the last time we saw them 5 years ago. You still look about 25 Danny boy.... whos that old guy with you?  hahahahaha

Well, we have Mindle beach markets on the agenda tonight and Nt day and fire works night tomorrow from then we are "on the road again" on our way to Jabiru. I'll try to get one last word in before we leave the Darwinians. Until then take care all  Mike Lis n Pip xxx

Litchfiled NP to Darwin

Litchfield National Park was were we have been for the last 3 days and what a place to be.. the weather was fantastic and the rock holes and the waterfalls were so inviting (some however still closed due to croc migration and excess water from the wet) Wangi falls had a 3. 5 m salty taken out last week, glad we weren't his dinner! I think the pictures will say it all.

This actually, was just a cute wallaby at Katherine

The magnetic termite mounds were amazing, they build their nests from south to north to keep climate regulation of the mound.

 This however is a cathedral termite mound which can be as high as 6 meters. "clever little blighters ah!"

 This is more of the magnetic termites. How crazy is this scene.. its like tombstones lined up in a cemetery.

These next shots are taken all around Litchfield NP. The first day we did a few walks to see some of the water falls and the second day we just swam at the rock holes. Pip was so exhausted from the first day walking she had blisters on her feet:( When we got up on the second day she said  " please no more waterfalls" We told her it was ok the ones we were visiting today were right near the car parks.... oooppss!!!! forgot to mention the 135 stairs you need to climb  hahaha!#@%*

Mike and Pip atop of the sacred..!!!! uhhm forgot the name of these ones but it was a bloody big drop off to the bottom

  Wangi Falls

                          View of Lichfield whilst on the Wangi Falls walk and below Pip on the walk

 Tomler Falls below... no swimming at this one either

 View from the other side of Tomler Falls lookout

 The fall below are Florence Falls and this was a great place to swim...........

 Swimming at Florence Falls

 

 This was the best place to swim and it was so fresh a and so clear.. this is Bluey Rockholes, a place not to be missed. There were a series of holes with small cascading falls joining them together. ( see pics to the side.

From Lichfield we have lobbed at Janine and Ians in Darwin. How good is this place ... just waking distance to the harbour in fact 1 street away. We will hang out with them until Saturday when we will all convoy to Jabiru.

Daly Waters to Katherine.... "you wouldn't be DEAD for quids"

400 kilometers of very straight roads....(albeit beautiful scenery) and we arrive at the very well known DALY WATERS pub. Sad Sad Sad is Pip.. No chicken man But instead we get to see Chilli the rodeo clown now comedian. All in all a great night and of course we meet more fellow travellers who can share stories of good and bad places to see or avoid.

One night at the pub and no hangover despite drinking beer, wine and RUM and WATER!!!! actually nice if u have ice on board. (For all our AOD mates... that is ice from the freezer ). Off  we go a whole hour down the track to Bitter springs Nr Mataranka. How beautiful is this, Elysie National Park has beautiful thermal pools at a constant 32 degrees and all the wild life you can spot including, Monitor lizards,  and Blue dragon flys that love to sit on your arms. (Pip loved that) .

Next stop Katherine.. But on the way there we stop briefly at aplace called Larrihma for morning tea/ breaky. They had this free Zoo which was petty cool in the middle of the "never never" Pip fel in love with a childrens python which has now taken priority place on her xmas shopping list. 

Katherine, OMG a real woollies with bread and meat thats not already pre frozen. Salad yahhhoooo and real fresh  veg. We decided to stay in Katherine (rather than he Nitmiluk NP) so we could see the sights around this little town. We took a swim at the thermal pools here to cool down after the big drive hahahahah, not as nice as Bitter springs but nicer than Mataranka.Tomorrow we are taking Pippa to Katherine school of the air.  Today we took a 4 hour gorge tour. Absolutely fantastic, there are 13 gorges here but only 3 are open  presently. The first 2 are still closed for swimming due to the crocs,( which we saw approx 15 of),  but the 3rd (or the Lilly ponds as pictured) were ok for a dip. There are also a colony or 10 of bats that inhabit the area which help feed the local Kite population ( for u townies a kite is a type of hawk/ eagle). Well its time for the evening ale or two so we bid you all farewell for now. Take care xx we will talk to you from Litchfield NP.

                                                   Pips Craft work

Tennant Creek

A drive through the Barkly Homestead ( a t-shirt and hat as proof) for lunch and on to Tennant Creek for 2 nights to fuel up and grab a few groceries. Tennant Creek hmmm, well what can we say about this little town, well equipped caravan park, interesting history. Went to the telegraph station and did the self guided tour. Thought about locking mike in the old cold room but then thought better about it as there is always the risk of PAY BACK.

 Pip in the main kitchen at the Telegraph Station

                                                Mike n Pip climbing into the old cold room

Also took a drive out to Mary Lake where Pip fell head first out of the car (whilst stationary) luck for her quick reaction in getting her hands down, a couple of scrapped knees verses a squashed nose.

Had a night around the camp fire listening to the bush poet/ tucker man Jimmy Hooker, great story teller.

The indigenous people out number the "whiteys"(as Pippa is calling us) by about 50 to 1 although the locals appeared friendly enough when doing the shopping we were told to stay off the streets after dark as there is a bit of mob rivalry around these parts.... so we did even though we weren't sure that the warning was needed. Tomorrow we head up the high way to the well known Daly Waters Pub. Sonia and Dabsie have gone ahead to Daly waters today. Hope there is no hang over tomorrow guys!! ( hey Raaach Rach Rach Rach hey Rach Raaaach Rach Raach your'e beautiful...   hahah (private joke), See you at the top end guys...

Pip is excited about going to Darwin as it will be school holidays and she will have some time to catch up with her friend Ming Ming for a few days. There aren't too many kids out here in the bull dust country. We are expecting to get to Darwin around the 25th of June after we have explored Katherine and Lichfield so stay tuned for more exciting adventures.

Adels Grove Lawn Hill national Park

Lawn Hill came and went.. 5 nights of sheer relaxation (with a couple of party nights of red wine, good company and camp fires and in the mix). Now that was the feeling of being remote. 80 klm of dirt road and 3 water crossings to get in and 120 klm of dirt road and 6 water crossings to get out the other side. We took the van in despite all the differing advice on access, managed fine but for the bull dust. That stuff sticks like s@#t to anything and everything.

Beautiful weather during the day, watching not to get burnt but bloody cool at night. Needing both sleeping bags and feather donnas at about 4am. no humidity... my lips are so dry they are surely going to peel off my face. Canoed the gorge and swam in the beautiful waters T perfect cant believe we are swimming in winter, actually it was warmer in the water than out.  YES SWAM in croc INFESTED water.... fresh water croc apparently less dangerous and we live to tell the tale. Took some great walks exploring the gorge area.

Now a quick over night in Camooweal. Went t the Drovers Camp to check out the local history.. rode the bucking bull.. a must do if you ever get here. This town is small... so small when we asked if there was a butcher the barman said " the butcher closed but try the post office they sell meat.. ughhh and they did!!!

We have got our van set up time to 10 min now for an overnight stay and about 15 to 20 for a full set up. We are really pleased with it all so far. So no new full size van yet McCullys haha...

Thats not a fish! this is a FISH!!!

Mike and Dabsie returned from there hunter gathering  expedition with enough mackerel to feed a small army. They were over the moon with their catch, like two boys who just got a free for all at toy world. Couldn't get the smile off their faces as they filleted away at the tables showing off their catch to the other not so fortunate punters at Sunset Caravan park.

The next morning......a phone call from Dabsie... " are you coming fishing with Bill (AKA my new name for him "the fish whisperer") this morning?" No thanks says both Mike and I who at this stage are still in bed. Small whimpering sounds start to develop from across the caravan which turn out to be a blubbering sobbing 7 year old "I want to go fishing". I turn over and say "OK OK cut the noise" I'll go!!!
WELL..... Pip and I never really wanted to steal Mikes thunder but seriously THIS IS A FISH

AND

there are 5 more where those ones came from........Yibbty Yibbita can you believe our luck in a small town. Pip and I caught 5 of these "mothers" between us and our mates caught another 2. We were throwing back the mackerel and anything smaller than this little beauty. I still cant believe it!!! Bill took us out to his secret spot... on the way out ( because it did seem a long way) I said to Sonia " what makes this patch of water any different from the patch 6 klms back??? now i know. Mike couldn't believe his eyes when we got back and Pippa had a smile twice the size of her head.

On the way back in just to finish of Pips day she got to drive the boat. She was like a pro. Now I suppose I should also mention we took a trip out to the Barrumundi farm and got to feed a 28 kilo.. Yes 28 Kilo Barra, she bloody near sucked our fingers off, talk about make you jump. Last but not least we had our croc and sunset tour.. no crocs unfortunately for Pip but lots of Banana Prawns and alcohol for us. Sadly we leave here tomorrow and head for Gregory Downs and then across 77ks of dirt road into Lawn Hill national park. Apparently an Oasis that shouldn't be missed. I will be hard to match the Karumba Gig.. but the journey must go on. A special thanks to "Uncle Bill" as Pip has fondly called him and his wife Robyn for the hospitality, food and beers. Without them this visit to Karumba would not have been the same. Farewell to Rose, Jocky, Headley, Lorel, Chris, Judy and all the other locals we met here.. We'll be back!!!! So guys stay tuned for the next entry on the "Adventures in Caravanastan"

Bye Lis xx

p.s To Scotty, Pete and Gommy my fisherman friend in Brissy and Mackay.. I'll give you a lesson on how its done when we get back boys, ha ha ha...................

Aye Karumba

Mikes been in his element here... half an hour on the beach and he caught a fish!!!!!! in fact its 7:30 am and he and Pip have been down at the beach fishing for the past hour. "keep away from the waters edge " I told her....... We havent seen crocs yet but am told by one of the locals we have befriended "Bill" that they are definitely out there and there are plenty of signs.

Mike got to try a bit of clay shooting yesterday with Bill as the guide. He recons he loves it up here and could live here  "Aye kaumba" these guys were flooded in for 4 months this year what is he thinking!!!! The boys (Mike and Dabsie) are off on a fish hunting tour this arvo so hopefully well have lots of fish to get us through dinners for a while. Food up this way is quite expensive as is grog. 60$ for a 750ml bottle of rum says one of the locals. Apparently due to shipping and freight.. ughhh. We are taking Pip on a croc spotting tour tomorrow evening so hopefully she can see what all my fuss is about when warning her to "stand clear of the water" I think she is hearing it in her sleep. All in all we are having the best time of our lives and the time im glad to say is going quite slowly. It feels as though we have been gone for months rather than weeks.

 Below Bill takes a couple of practise shots before the boys get hold of the shotgun.

Pip learns to cast..........

Mt Surprise and then back on the road

We had a couple of days at Mount Surprise and went gemming at O'Briens gem fields. Didn't get much but had great fun doing it and Getting there. 40Klm of dirt road with plenty of wildlife, creek crossings and cattle stock to keep us alert. Pip also made friends with one small frog which escaped into our car never to be seen again.. ooops 

 The prickles here were unbelievable and even worse in Normanton which was our next stop before arriving in Karumba

 Pip at the Croyden pub

 The Normanton croc. This is actual true size of a croc hunted here in 1930's

 On the way to Karumba, Pip is traveling well.

 Here at Karumba Jeeps are slightly out numbered. There is one Jeep in Karumba OURS!!!

Stay posted as our next post should have pics of the Huge fish we are going to catch

Lis xxxxxxxxxxxxx