Katherine

Today we are headed for Kathrine.Another beautiful day 32deg, Only 104 kl ms. We left at 8am as the Caravans are starting to double  in number each day now as we go further north, so it is getting to the stage first in best dressed.
 Allot of the parks you cannot book.and we want to stay at least 5days here, as there is so much to see and do.
Did  our shopping, As  you shop only in big towns. Then even fruit and veg is expensive, in Woolworth's,[ but we share the costs of them].
Went to The Tourist Information centre, to find out and book our tours etc,
Booked into a very nice caravan park 9ks out of Katherine.Springvale Homestead.
To day Carol Sandy and I went to the Cuta Cuta caves, The boys didn`t want to come, so they were going to find where to fish. [have to watch for Crocks they have already caught a 14mtr one this month].Going by the girl in The Information Centre.
Boys din`t do any good fishing. Caves were O.K.
Wednesday went on a boat cruise down the Katherine Gorge, for four hours. That  was so beautiful.
We saw 6 Crocks,all freshwater, ranging from 2 to 5 mtrs.
There were two indigenous boys who took us down the Gorge. they had the best sense of humour, it was fabulous.
The only thing is , I have to put my hand up now. I have the flu,[ like half of Katherine] and it started the day of the cruise, so I didn`t feel to good. But as they say, "Toughen up Princess".
Today has been a relaxing day.
Tomorrow we head for Litchfield National Park.

Mataranka

We left the pub at 9am 26deg In the last 300ks how much warmer it is getting. [Thank heavens]
Arrived at 11am was only 100 ks from the pub, so was an easy drive today, very pretty though, the wattle is becoming very thick, on the sides of the road.
As today is the 16th Tez`s Birthday we had a nice dinner of marinated pork ,fried rice and salad. Topped off with home made apple pie and cream.[ you can see why we are not loosing weight.] as we do not go without.
Mataranka is a very small town with thermal springs, being there main source of appeal. And they are
AMAZING [everyone is fining me ,every time I use that word. It is very hard not to.] As there are so many places and things that come into that superlative.
There are two places you can go but we all like Bitter Springs the best. They are at a constant temperature of 32deg in a natural spring. Little fish and heaps of growth under this beautiful clear  water. You just get a noodle, put your thongs on the ends, and float with your goggles down  to the end  of the spring, then walk back.There is a slight current that takes you down. It is wonderful
I have written this piece over three days, so we are now up to the 18th.
Today  we all went to see the people we met from QLD, Geoff and Anna.They come around yesterday to see us, told us where they were staying, not far from where we were.
So Cas, Stephen, John, Geoff, and Anna, all went for a walk 8ks round trip.[ going by all of them latter they all said lucky we didn`t go it wasn`t that good. Very hot, very soft sand and hard going.
Terry and I went to their camp site, Tez went  fishing,[only to throw away a few lures, didn`t catch anything] I sun baked and wrote letters. Sandy still wasn`t up to scratch so she stayed at our camp.
Then it was time to go back, start to pack up, ready to move on  tomorrow, to our next adventure in Katherine.N.T.

Daley Waters Pub.

When we left Tennant Creek we were to stay at Newcastle Waters. When we reached there, there wasn`t enough room for us to park in safety. So we all decided to drive on to Daly Waters a day early.
Lets just say it is a very old Country Pub with heaps of atmosphere.
We arrived there at approx 1pm Lined up to book in as there are so many people there. They Have an offer Powered site $24-00 a night, A beef or Barra Dinner $27-00 per head.[grilled or b.b.q] It was great.
Entertainment all sixties music, The place was really rocking.
In the bar there is Undies,bras,overseas currency,Business cards,caps, T shirts,football Jerseys, a thong pole and heaps of memorabilia.We had a wonderful night.
The next morning was Tez`s Birthday, So after a slow start with phone calls from family,[ That was very nice.]
we went and put our Thong on the pole, We signed it the Sicaworknsix with all our names, and tied it to the pole.
This is one of those places off the beaten track that everyone should take the time to go and see. [well worth
the look.]

Tennant Creek

13-7-11 Cloudy and windy day.
John has Man flu, {his turn}.
So Sandy drove the 100ks today. If we can we will stay 2days at Tennant Creek for him to rest.
It has also given us time to do our cleaning and washing.{that never goes away}
On our way this morning we passed the people we met from Qld. They were camped along further at Bonney Well Rest area, as they left it to late and couldn't`t get in with us. There camp looked O.K. though.
We plan to meet them again further along.
Booked into The Outback Caravan Park, for two days.
We had lunch, By this time we were all in Summer clothes. Oh! that feels nice.
Went out to see the sights of Tennant Creek. Didn`t have to Travel far.
Saw the Pebbles [and they are, after the Marbles.] Went to the Overland Telegraph Station, It was the first in Australia. [not many photos card was full so had to down load]
Called into Lake Mary Anne. Beautiful. Decided to go for a picnic lunch tomorrow.
Come back to camp, it was so warm off come the flannelet sheets. Cas packed all her winter clothes into vacuum bags. We did a Spring clean of the vans. We are now ready for our picnic and warmer weather.
Woke up this morning to showers wind and cold, We can`t stop laughing.
Can`t do much except catch up with our blog, and let you all know we are having a wonderful time.
Tonight we went to a bush tucker demonstration, with this funny little man called Jimmy Hooker.
Never learnt to read or write. Lived in Tennant Creek all his life. Recons no one else would "av im".
He gave us camp oven damper and Golden Syrup, And Lemon Grass Tea.
He Said, "I used to live on road kill, There were only 3 things you had to worry about, The petrol, The tar,
and the blue metal. That is why I have no teeth He!He! and he didn`t. Everything he sold was just $5.00 a bag.We laughed and laughed. He told some funny stories.
So off we go again.

The Devils Marbles.

Hi everyone,
Left Alice Springs on Monday 11-7 11. The temp was 0 deg,  at 7am, very cold, but warmed up as the day went on.
We all said the same thing about it that we were very surprised at what Alice had to offer. We would all like to go back some day.
But we are on the road again for another adventure, to The Devil's Marbles. We travelled 300 ks .
We stayed the first night at Taylor's Creek, it was a free camp. There were quite a few vans there when the end of the day come along. That left 100 ks the next day.
That was good as John has man flu now , It is his turn.
On the way, we stopped at a place called ,Wycliffe Wells. Home of the most U.F.O.s sighted. [a good lurk]
gets the customers in.Although it does have a very nice caravan park. [big 4] [we didn`t stay] but looked nice.
A good photo opportunity.A short drive to The Devils Marbles. Where we will camp for the night.
The weather is still holding in there for us, it has been cool mornings, beautiful days. We are all starting to get suntans.
Arrived at the marbles at 10-30am as we were told to get there early, as it is a National Park, only costs
 $3-50 per adult. So to get a good spot, be early.
Had morning tea of we went, walking up, down, in, out and around. It is a mystical place, I found it very relaxing.
Tez loved it as well, we have him walking his legs off.
There was 54 vans by the end of the day, incredible. You would never be frightened out here. Everyone is doing the same thing.
Have seen a few dingos around the camp.
Very windy over night not cold though.
left at 8-30am.

Alice Springs

July 6th
We have come back to Alice as there is still so much to see.
We went to see school of the air. The flying Doctors Service, Dr Flynns Grave. and The Women of the Outback hall of Fame, All very worthwhile.
Then we went to the Camel cup, that was so much fun, no betting though. So we had our own system going.
Each race cost $2.00 pick a camel. If no one`s camel won it all went into the next race. Sandy took home the money.
Today we have to shop as we leave tomorrow for the Devil`s Marbles. So things start toget expensive again.
So fill with fuel, grog, and food. Also wash, as there is mostly free campping.

MacDonald Ranges.

July 3rd
Today we went free camping out to the West MacDonald Ranges .
Every day we went to a different Gorge as the are up to 150ks from our camp.
You think after seeing one set of mountains, you have seen them all, but that is not the case. They all have their own beauty. Everyone is so spectacular.
We have had another camp oven baked dinner, this time we had shanks. Oh! it was good.
That seems to be the problem even though we are doing lots of walking ,we are also doing lots of eating.
The views from our campsite are amazing.

Alice Springs

June 25-6-11
Drove into Alice Springs, what a surprise.
The town is so well st out, it is lovely, rolling hills, even though it is dry the tree lined streets are so clean and it looks lovely.
It is a well planed city.Did our shop.
 Next day went to the markets, where we met Sandy Taylors sister. Organised to have dinner with them the next night so Kevin could fill us in with some places to go as he had come from where we were going.
Steven, John, and Sandy made arrangments to have a golf day,with the people we had met from Qld.
When we found out it was a proffesional course, Tez and I pulled out.[ would have been a wasteof money and their time.] as we have never played before. except for the Curtain Springs Cup He!He!
So we caught up for lunch. At Mr Bo Jangles Saloon in Alice Springs. [That was great]
We have been to Telegraph Station down on the Todd River. Anzac Hill, Desert Park,
We spent three days touring the east MacDonald Ranges and parts of Alice. All very worthwhile.

Kings Canyon

June 21-6-11
Drove to Kings Canyon, on, Lasseter hwy.
The road was a little narrow, saw camels and wild horses along the way.
It is another glorious day.
All of us except Tez went on a helicopter flight over Kings Canyon. WOW. It was fabulous.
This country is so vast. Then we walked all around the camping area.
June22-6-11
Today we went to Kathleen Springs, it is a nice leisurely walk, Tez come with us and enjoyed it. In the afternoon we did the base walk around the Canyon. Come back and the people we met at Curtain Springs were there, so chatted with them also saw dingo`s in the park.
Lucky we have our own toilet and shower as the facileitis's in the park are dreadful.
June 23-6-11
Today we did the Rim walk around the Canyon I made it , but never again.
I have never been so frightened in my life, my heart was pounding ,my legs were wobbling,my hands were shaking and all I could think of was that I had to come back down. It was so steep. All day you were up and down. I didn`t realise I was afraid of heights to that extent.
But that is another one I can mark off the bucket list.
June 24-6-11 left the Canyon.

Uluru

June 17-6-11 Another great day.
Arrived at Uluru camp Ground around 11am, To do 8 loads of washing between us.[That never stops]
Then we walked around the complex. [that is very large]
Late afternoon up to have drinks, for sunset looking over the Rock.
The wattle is about to bloom in about 2 weeks it will be a picture. All the Thrip is every where.
We feel very privileged to see the outback with such colour.
There isn`t many animals as there is so much food, there is no reason , for them to come close to the roads, to pick.
Next day we went to the Rock and walked the base, there were so many different aspects of the rock.
To touch it felt like  cement render, to look at it was like looking at  paper mac he`, the markings, the boulders, the colours, The grains all going in different directions.
There are billabongs, plants growing on the rock. and it has this Eyre of mystery   about it.
Steven had a go at going up the Rock but only got to chicken rock.
We then returned in the afternoon for the sunset and drinks and bickies.
Next day had a lazy day.
June 20
Up at 5-45 am
Sunrise and breakie at the Olga`s. They are magnificent.
Had breakie out there and started on our walk to Walpa Gorge.[ Tez made it 1/3 of the way , that was good..
We all liked it more than the Rock.
Tez ran out of beer they wanted $38.00 for six beers. he said he would rather drink water.[ that was a first.]

Curtain Springs.

June14-6-11 Another great day.
Stopped the night at the N.T. & S.A. Boarder.[free camp] It was very cold once the sun went down. We also found out that the mice were still around.
We had gone into our vans, some other young people, who were also camping out, started screaming, Their little boy come running out saying, " has another one run up your leg Mum?"
I would have died.
Next morning we woke to ice all over our cars.
We continued onto a Place called Curtain Springs [free camp]Where we stayed for 2days.
Met some nice people from Qld. in Winnebago`s [very large ones] They are Geoff, Anna , Sandy and Harley.
Steven`s Birthday so I made apple pie for a birthday cake. All the others played golf around the camp site
[ made their own course, incl Tez who has never played in his life.]
It was lots of fun.

On the road again

Today is Tuesday 24-5-11 left Terramungamines at 8-15. & 15 deg Heading down the Newell Hwy, To Cobar.
It is sprinkling rain not much at all.
Our first stop today is Nyngan, to see Craig and Trish. Sandy and Carols nephew.
We passed through Naramine.
Tez and I have had trouble with the car, it keeps getting stuck in park.
Stopped at Craig and Trish`s for cuppa.
They had a big problem with mice. Everything had to be put in large plastic containers.
Then contiued on to Cobar.

Coober Pedy

June 10th great day. Sun is shining once again.. 
Terry was sick ,so I drove the car and van for the first time 240klm YES !!!!!!!!!what a cleaver girl.
So Sandy and Carol said they would too, so it was girls day. Off we went.Women's lib is alive still.
We stayed at Ribas caravan park. Its a unique spot with camping underground.[ tents etc] It is all set out at a mine. saw underground living,  churches. A working mine.
Went to the Breakaways, The dog fence The moon Plains and Oodnadatta Track.
ONe moment you are driving along on a flat plain, with not a hill in sightfor miles, then youturn a corner &
Oh! my Godit`s a cross between the Serongedi`s and the moon. Just  spectacular.