The weather has warmed up now, with the last few days in Katherine beautiful and sunny, between 25 and 30 degrees. We've spent time chilling out; the boys have really enjoyed the pool, as have Heather and Andrew. But we've also hiked through/over/around Katherine Gorge, relaxed at the Katherine Hot Springs and explored the Katherine Lower Level Nature Reserve across the road from the caravan park.
G'day kids, it was lovely to have a chat with you all on Friday afternoon. We loved the questions that you had all prepared with Miss Keane (That was a nice surprise Vanessa). We were actually pretty lucky that we could connect, as phone service is patchy in the Outback. As soon as we started moving after we'd finished talking, the phone dropped out and we didn't have service again until way after school had finished. We had just bought petrol at a little town called Barrow Creek when we talked. Maybe we can talk again after Library next Friday. I wonder where we'll be then?
This is where we were.
Found this place near Elliott in our Camps Australia-wide book and thought we'd give it a go for an overnight stopover. Had to head down about 15km of sandy tracks, with some quite deep patches and many sections that wound tightly between trees. It seemed to take ages and we weren't sure what we'd find. All we could think of was that it had better be worth it, as the van was getting another hammering from the corrugations and it was in danger of getting wiped out on a tree branch.
When we finally caught sight of the water, we were blown away! Absolutely spectacular! The best part was choosing a secluded spot right on the bank. Once we'd set up Andrew was the only one gutsy enough to go in for a swim. He reckoned the water was 'bracing' but worth it to wash off the dust from the last few days. He was able to wiggle his toes in the sand and dig up several different types of fresh-water muscles and a type of snail. We weren't game to eat them though!
It was magic to be able to sit around the campfire and watch the birds as the sun set. The soaring wedge-tail eagles, pelicans, cormorants and egrets, among many others, were amazing to watch. In the morning we got to see the pelicans work as a team to heard the fish into the shallows, before all of the different birds started diving in for their breakfast.
This place is definitely one of our favourite places so far.
These rock formations are quite spectacular and quite beautiful at both sunset and at sunrise. Clambering over and among the rocks while the sun set was a great way to finish off the day, and a great start the next morning, making the overnight stop there worth the effort.
We've enjoyed six wonderful nights in Alice Springs, catching up with Andrew's sister Amber and her husband Michael. We've been out with them to cafes, had a number of meals at their home, a trip to Simpson's Gap during the day, plus a return visit to the gap for a BBQ tea and a spot of star gazing. Fantastic time with family!
There's a lot to see in Alice Springs too. We completed a guided walking tour around town, visited the National Road Transport Hall of Fame to see Heather's Uncle Ed's displays, called in at the National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame, climbed up ANZAC Hill and wondered about life in the old gaols.
While all the touristy stuff was great, we also needed some down time to run errands, do some shopping, kick to footy and just chill out reading a book or two. Heth also managed to complete another half dozen scrapbook pages too.
We took the shortcut from Kings Canyon to the Sturt Highway via Ernest Giles Road. Not sure how the van would cope with 100+km of outback dust and corrugations, so we taped up all the vents and around the door. Very relieved to find no dust got in, although I have to screw a few things back onto the walls, etc.
