New Year – New Adventure

Darwin to Julia Creek

Tuesday 1^st January

We left Paul’s early and drove to Mataranka. It is still incredibly hot. Unlike those brave pioneers who followed the stock routes, we are following the air conditioning route……none of this free camping rubbish…..give us powered sites!!!!!

To this end, we stopped at ‘Territory Manor Motel and Caravan Park’….$30.00 and worth every cent. The reception area was deserted and there was a clipboard and a note saying ‘leave your rego details, find a spot and we will catch up with you tomorrow’…so we duly did just that, went for a swim in the pool and tried to stay cool for the rest of the day.

The night did prove somewhat problematic in that the air conditioning got soooooooo cold that Ron would wake up and go and turn it off only to find us dripping wet again within ten minutes and we would have to put it back on. This happened no less than about four times although it seemed more like forty.

My upper back and chest pains that I have been having for the last couple of years (the ones that doctors did every test known to man and still can’t find a reason for) have become really unbearable and that also made for a bad night.

Wednesday 2^nd January

I was still really sore this morning and got Ron to rub my upper back…..oh joy oh bliss…..it felt sooooooo good!!!!!

We left Mataranka at nine and headed south.

We stopped at (95) Newcastle Waters Rest Area for lunch. We thought about staying the night…..it was very hot but there was a nice breeze and NO humidity…..but we woosed out.

We continued on to (92) Renner Springs Desert Inn (the name sounds much grander than the place). We parked up, plugged in and went straight around to the pool. The water in the pool was actually cool!!!!!

Then we came back and had nana naps…although technically not a nana yet…but …..maybe. Once again Telstra has outdone itself and we have no mobile coverage. The bub is due tomorrow!!!!!

Later in the evening, after dinner we sat outside for a while looking at the stars until the call of the air conditioner became too much and we went back inside.

Thursday 3^rd January 2013

 

 

I was up at 7 o’clock this morning so I could beat the heat (ha ha) and walk around the little lagoon in the camping area. It was very pretty with lots of birds. I followed the signs and immediately took a wrong turn and ended up in a little back water behind the main waterway.

It turned out to be quite fortuitous because I came across two black swans there

 

 

 

 

 

 After breakfast we set off along the highway once again.

  We continued on to (5) Barkly homestead and followed our now regular routine of book in, park up, go for a swim and then settle into the air conditioning.

Ben rang…..still no go on the baby front…..

I did some more knitting, a bit of reading and burnt our first incense stick thanks to Cheryee’s birthday present. Indie is fast becoming a Hippy van.

Friday 4^th January

We headed off towards Queensland and made our first stop just over the border – (315) Camooweal billabong. We stopped for lunch in almost the same spot as we stopped on the way up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They have obviously had a bit of rain since we were there in October (almost three months to the day). The place was still teeming with birds. As we sat eating we contemplated the advantages of staying overnight. The temperature was pleasant and there was a lovely breeze but we decided to push on to Mount Isa instead.

The lovely Liz (who lived down the road in Helensvale) moved to The Isa not long after we left. Her daughter, Tash lives there and Liz is hoping for work in the mines.

We arrived on her doorstep in time for afternoon tea and had a fabulous catch up on all the goss. Ron and I then decided to go to the Mount Isa Caravan Park (the same one we stayed in on the way up) and book in and then all four of us could go out for dinner.

Liz rang us to give us directions so we could meet up with Tash and her  (at the house where Tash has been housesitting) and we could all go together in Tash’s car to ‘The Overlander Hotel’ for dinner. Turns out The Overlander is directly across the road from our caravan park….too easy Campesie!!!!

Since I had a good half hour up my sleeve, I hurried off for a quick shower.

The pub did look a little rough around the edges but the food was to die for…..I had Barra with avocado, prawns and hollandaise sauce (as did Liz and Tash) and Ron had Chicken Parma. They all came with chips and salad in portion sizes that you could not jump over. They were delicious.

Saturday 5^th January

I could not believe it…..I forgot to take photos of Liz and Tash…..too busy having a good time!!!!

Anyway, I was up early (around 8.30) so decided to take advantage of the weather and do some laundry. I could not find the dress I had worn yesterday anywhere and suddenly thought OMG, I’ve left it in the shower last night.  Well, I scuttled off and there it was still hanging up where I had left it. I did not know whether to be impressed by fellow campers honesty or offended that no-one liked it enough to pinch it!!!!

At 11.00am Ron and I rang the courtesy bus from The Buffs Club and got a ride down there. We had a coffee in their coffee lounge then nipped over to Coles across the road and did some groceries. We came back to The Buffs, had a drink, sat in the sports bar, watched some cricket and then caught the courtesy bus back home. I thought it was a bit cheeky but the lady in the caravan park advised us to do it because everyone does.

There is still no respite in the weather. It is still in the 40s. But looking at the news (when we get a chance) the whole country is in the same boat. There are lots of places worse than where we are and I can’t believe poor old Tassie!

Sunday 6^th January

Heading out of Mount Isa, we were amazed at how the vegetation has come back from the bush fires that had been through when we came up in October.

 

 

 

 

We were also petty amazed to see camels!!!!

 

We drove on to Cloncurry (a short stop for fuel and groceries) and through to Julia Creek.

We have stopped at (303) Julia Creek Caravan Park and have decided to stay here until the grandbaby is born…still no sign of him yet!

The caravan park here is another council caravan park and is very nice. There is not much shade but the amenities are lovely, there is an Olympic size swimming pool next door and it is only 500metres walk to town. The other big plus is that it is only $50.00 for three nights so we have booked in till the12th.

The managers of the park have loaded me up with maps of the town and strict instructions to visit the Tourist Information Centre. For the moment though, it is just park up and put on the air con.

We put the awning out but the breeze was so strong we took it down again.

Mark, a long term resident stopped by for a bit of a chat with his dog, Penny….much amusement all round!!!!

We have settled in for another warm night.

Monday 7^th January

This morning doesn’t seem quite so hot but at 10.00am on the dot, it was off to the pool. It is only open from 10.00am til 2.00pm.

We stayed for the whole time. It is great. It costs $1.60 each and it is almost completely covered in shade cloth so the water is actually cold!!!! They even supply noodles and other floats and toys for free.

After our swim, we went for a walk into town and dutifully went to the Tourist Information Centre. It was really good. It comprises a group of fettlers cottages and each one has different info relating to the area. We watched a video on the Great Artesian Basin and another on the Julia Creek Dunnart – a little marsupial mouse type creature thought to be extinct but actually coming back now.

We went and bought groceries and real coffee. You don’t appreciate how rare it is to find a real cappuccino machine out west!!!!!! We walked around town and went to the park with the mosaic chair (another of the Caravan Park manager’s recommendations)

 

 

 

 

 

We actually slept without the air conditioning on tonight. It was warm but there was a wonderful breeze.

Tuesday 8^th January

Ron and I spent the morning in the pool yet again and after lunch Ron retired to the air con and watched telly and read while I worked on my diary in the Camp Kitchen.

I intend to get on with more knitting shortly (I have finished my second banana in pyjamas and am working on a mushroom shaped rattle). I am also reading ‘The Casual Vacancy’ by J.K. Rowling one of my birthday presents from Ron.

Wednesday 9^th January

We spent another quiet, albeit hot day in Indie with the air con at full bore.

We did of course spend our 4 hours (10.00 till 2.00) at the pool.

We thought about walking to town but decided against it. The sun would burn the flesh right off your bones.

The temperatures have not dipped below 40 degrees since we arrived!!!!

 

Thursday 10^th January

We decided to brave the elements and walk into town this morning so we set off at 8.30 to beat the heat.

We did the groceries and I bought another of the ‘Friendly Grocer’ coffees.

We were about to return home when I espied ‘Colemans Country Wear and Hairdresser’.

Ron left me to it and headed home with the groceries.

The shop sold mens, womens and babies apparel, all manner of fabric and haberdashery and contained a separate room for the hairdressing salon! Since there was only one other customer, I was shown in straight away and had my tresses trimmed by a lovely young woman for the princely sum of $30.00.

 

I then sallied forth to the Tourist Information Centre, because although Ron and I had seen the dunnart film, there was also a live exhibit of Digby the Julia Creek Dunnart.

  The poster outside warns about the vicious creature within. I thought they were joking since he is only 30cm long including tail. He is a cute looking little critter, much like a marsupial mouse but my guide assures me that pound for pound they are more vicious than Tassie Devils and Digby spits and bites and hisses like nobody’s business. He is three and a half years old (they only live to about three years usually so he is a good six months past his ‘use by’ date). They only have the one because males and females must be kept separate because otherwise they eat each other – no wonder they are almost extinct!!!!!!!

 

After that, it was back home and off to the pool for our morning swim. I had a lovely chat with Sharon, the lifeguard whose husband is the sergeant of police.

We have new next door neighbours. This is the fourth lot who have moved in next door. There are over 28 powered sites in the park but for some reason, every one parks next to us then they scuttle inside and we don’t see them and then they leave the next day with ne’er so much as a by your leave!!!!

The wind has sprung up tonight, there is heaps of lightning and Indie is actually rocking in the wind. There is no rain yet though.

Friday 11^th January

After our usual morning dip, we went back home and got ready to leave tomorrow. We have decided to travel towards Townsville just on the off chance that we might be getting a grandson one day soon!!!

1,000 kms around Darwin

Wednesday 19th December

Hi Hi
We are still here, sweltering in Darwin. Since my last post, I've been doing a bit of knitting and painting and lots and lots of sweating!!!!

I knitted a little ball and decided to give it to Paul's mate Gillie for his little boy Jaxon.

 

Gillie sent a photo of Jaxon playing with the knitted ball I gave him……..sooooo cute!!!

 

 

We have just returned from a week of travelling around......hope you like it!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Saturday 8^th December

Since we have to make up 1000 kms for our next service and we want it done before everything closes down for $mas, we have decided to take a road trip for about a week. Besides, Paul’s mate, Tom and his girlfriend, Nadine are moving in on Monday before they go on leave till after $mas then she gets posted to Sydney and Tom will stay on.

Sunday 9^th December

We are still packing and cleaning and getting ready for our road trip.

Monday 10^th December

We had decided to do a leisurely pack up, and head off to the casino for lunch and then off to Darwin Hospital for Ron’s final appointment at the Eye Clinic.  We have had a standing reservation these last few weeks but finally, after scraping Ron’s eyes till they bleed and sending him off with steroid drops and other bits and pieces, he appears cured!!!

So, first step, get our gear and our food into Indie. Well, imagine our dismay (not to mention abject horror) to find that Mr Rattus (not a cute little mouse but, dirty big Mr Rattus) had already beaten us to the food cupboard!!!!! After much cleaning, scouring and purchasing of Ratsak, we finally set off.

We went to the casino, won about $15 (using their money), got the all clear on Ronnie’s eyes and drove on to Lee Point Village Resort. It was recommended by Gordon and Carol who we met at Camooweal. They must be much wealthier than    us - $50 per night!!!! (and it wasn’t that crash hot).

At about two in the morning, Ron felt the bus moving about…..(it does that when one of us gets up or moves about in bed a lot). He looked over and I was dead to the world so he got up, walked around outside to make sure no one was up to  mischief and finding nothing, figured he was dreaming. 

Later we learned that Darwin had been hit by a tremor measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale…..I had slept on blissfully unaware!!!!

Tuesday 11^th December

We headed off towards Dundee Beach south west of Darwin.

On the way we stopped at Berry Springs. Here we encountered Australia’s answer to the three wise monkeys……the three wise cockatoos. They are huge birds…… in the wild they seem much bigger and have really big wing span.

Berry Springs itself had signs up everywhere saying ‘closed for the wet season’ and warning about crocodiles and fast flowing currents. The water was the most beautiful turquoise colour and in spite of being nearly dead from heat and humidity, we obeyed the signs and drove on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived at Dundee Beach just on lunch time.

It was the most picturesque little spot for our lunch, right on the water’s edge.

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch we headed back towards the Stuart Highway and stopped at ‘Tumbling Waters Holiday Park’ at the back way into Litchfield national park.

It was a lovely spot and after establishing that they had a pool and it was only $28 per night we booked in for two nights.

We cranked up the air conditioning, went for a swim and veged out for the afternoon.

Later we had a bit of a storm but we haven’t seen any real rain storms yet fortunately. We seem to get lots of thunder and lightning, some wind and then it’s all over Red Rover.

Wednesday 12^th December

We woke up early to discover water all over the floor near the sink. There was no ready explanation for this so we had breakfast and pondered it. When no viable reason sprang to mind, Ronnie donned his plumber’s hat and went in search of an answer. After much huffing and puffing and gnashing of teeth, he discovered that good old Mr Rattus had gnawed his way through some of the plastic tubing to the water heater. Ronnie fixed it all up and we were in business again.

Fortunately we have not seen or heard from Mr Rattus after setting off last Monday!!!!

 We decided to have a bit of a look around the park and came across a delightful little pond with lilies.

Of course right next to it was the sign warning of crocodiles, but they were only freshies so no worries!! 

Or were there?

 Ron was standing on the boardwalk and decided it would be a good idea to squirt the biggest croc with his water bottle.

 

 

The crock however, had a totally different view of proceedings and turned around, charged towards Ron and snapped and hissed loudly at him as well.

I did not know Ron cold jump so high or bolt so quickly although he insists he was only running to get help for me?????

The only one left smiling at it all was the croc!!!!!

Thursday13th December

We decided to drive up to Mandorah and catch the ferry across to Cullen Bay just for the boat ride.

After we left the caravan park, we had driven about10kms when we saw an Aboriginal man walking towards us carrying a Jerry Can. We stopped and he asked if we could spare a few litres of fuel and we said OK. We followed him back to his vehicle only to find out it was petrol not diesel.

Ron then offered to take his Jerry Can to the nearest servo and get some fuel for him. The man thanked him very much and said just $5 or $10 worth would be plenty to get him to the garage so he could fill up.

We drove off down the road and drove and drove and drove (probably about another 30kms). We got $10 worth for him and drove the 30 odd kilometres back again. I passed the jerry can to him and told him we had bought $10 worth for him.

He said ‘Thanks very much for that’ and started chatting about where we were going and the weather etc.  At no time was any mention made of him paying us the $10 for the fuel so Ron wished him Merry Xmas and we drove off.

We figured it was our good deed for the day and something good would happen in return. The DVD player packed it in that night so I guess not!!!!!  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

We drove on to Mandorah in time to catch the 11.15 ferry across Darwin Harbour to Cullen Bay.

 

 

It was low tide so we had to trudge down all the steps to the very bottom of the ferry terminal. It was a bit scary because all the steps were open metal grid and I get really nervous when I can see through steps.

It cost us $14.50 each return but it was one of the few things we hadn’t done last time we were here.

Cullen Bay is one of those cute little restaurant precincts on the marina. Of course, like everything else in Darwin and its environs, it has closed down for the Wet Season. We found a single coffee shop that was open for lunch and had a lovely meal and then caught the ferry back.

We went for a drive around Wagait Beach which was quite pretty. The dunes around here and at Dundee Beach have these plants with lovely purple flowers (probably a noxious weed, but I liked them).

From there we drove down to Adelaide River and stayed at (144) Adelaide River Showground. It is run by the Adelaide River Show Society which lends itself to a rather unfortunate acronym.

They had a pool and only charged $24.00 per night so we were in like Flynn!!!!!

Luckily it was Thursday so the bar was opened as well. They also served dinner so we bought a Chicken schnitzel each.

When we walked over there, the ladies from the Show Society (all volunteers) were busy decorating for Santa’s arrival on Saturday.

We had a bit of a chat with one in particular, Patty Fawcett. She and hubby own a cattle transport company (we saw a few of their road trains further along in our trip). She was a real hoot and recommended a trip to Douglas Daly.

Friday 14^th December

We spent the day swimming in the pool and chatting with another couple who were camped there and the caretakers, Gregory and his wife. The caretakers are volunteers as well and receive ten percent of the takings. I’m not sure how far our $4.80 would go towards their grocery bill!

Saturday 15^th December

We decided to travel further south to the Douglas Daly region so we set off around ten o’clock.

The drive was quite pleasant, very lush and green and we get a nice breeze with Indie’s windows open. 

We arrived at ‘Douglas Daly Tourist Park’, bought a real coffee and were having a good chat with Kerry the owner. I asked if there was anywhere we could see the river because most of the side roads we had seen were dirt and the weather was looking a bit ominous. She said we could just drive down the back of the Park because it ran next to and right on the Douglas River. It was about 2.5 kms of dirt with a couple of rough dips but should be OK for the bus to get through.

Off we went and it was very beautiful. We did ground the bus in one part but it was only on the bull bar.

 

 

 

It started to rain. Well. Within just 5 to 10 minutes, the dirt had just turned completely to mud and Kerry had sent Chris, the handyman down on the quad bike to guide us out because they were really panicked that we would get bogged. We made it out but not without a few wild slips and slides.

We left there and decided to head off to ‘Hayes Creek Caravan Park’ further south on the Stuart Highway for the night.

It had a pool (by now a minimum prerequisite) and only cost $22.50 for seniors (usually $25). The lady in the office said my hair qualified me for the discount!!!!!

She told us we could walk through the bush (about 2kms return) to Butterfly Gap where there were hundreds of little black and white butterflies and that it was totally safe to swim in the creek as it was spring fed.

Off we went. It was of course by now, the hottest part of the day and we huffed and puffed and sweated our way through the bush only to find…..no butterflies!!!!!  Well that’s not totally true; there were about a dozen hanging off the wall high above us.

 

In spite of the fact that we had been given wrong info about the butterflies, we trusted that the creek was OK and leaped in with gay abandon. It was fabulous and so lovely and cool.

We wandered back to our air conditioned comfort and relaxed for the rest of the day.

 Not only was the view splendid but the neighbours (emphasis on neigh) were friendly too.

 

 

 

Sunday 16^th December

We decided to head off towards Darwin and call in (about 150km round trip) and see the Daly River.

 

 

We drove in to the township of Daly River and did a quick drive around.

Then we headed down to the Daly River Crossing.

 

 

 

 

It was looking like more rain when we left but I decided to have a bit of a drive any way. I have only driven Indie once since we got him. Bad move Australia!!! It bucketed and before we knew it, there was water in just about every floodway.

 

 

It was a bit scary!!!!!!!

But we came through unscathed and continued on to Adelaide River and had a nice lunch near the river.

 

We continued on to Paul’s and arrived back having travelled just over our 1,000 kms.

In Darwin

It has been over a month since my last post and will probably be the same till my next. There is not much to report while living quietly in the suburbs and I have not taken a single photo since our arrival. I have included here a synopsis of our activity since arrival.

We arrived at Paul’s place just after lunch. He really liked his Cassowary.It was so lovely to see him again!!!! He has a lovely house and we are sleeping in the spare room until December when his mate moves in. Sadly he has yappy dogs next door and they are really annoying.

We are giving the air conditioning a run for its money.

Ron and Paul and I went to the pictures and saw ‘Loopers’, Bruce Willis’ latest movie. It wasn’t the worst movie I’ve ever seen and in fact I didn’t mind it at all. Ron and Paul thought it was pretty much rubbish!!!

Paul went back to work today. He was on leave all of last week and of course, the golf clubs he ordered on line, turned up this morning!!!

Paul,s car has been off the road since we arrived but we now have it back to run about in (much easier to find parking spots than Indie!) so Ron and I went to the casino. Gordon (at Camooweal) told us about their ‘Monday Madness’. You have to be over 50 (they check your driver’s license).  You join up (it’s free)and they give you $20 poker machine credit, a $5 Keno voucher, a voucher for a free drink and a voucher for $9.95 buffet lunch or dinner. It’s all only usable on the Monday. We opted for the dinner because it includes seafood. We actually won $16 on the pokies as well, so all in all a nice day out!!!  Apparently, once you are a member, you get the same deal every Monday except the poker machine credit drops down to $10. After we left the casino, we drove into town and went for a walk along the esplanade. It was really lovely if not a little warm.

Ron and I are really missing being on the road. We are such gypsies now….do not cope well with suburban life.

Ron and I went to the pictures and saw ‘Savages’. I wasn’t real impressed with the idea of going having seen the shorts but I quite enjoyed it. I could have done without some of the really graphic violence though.

No wonder I hate Halloween!!!!!! We got up this morning to find Paul’s house and car had been egged!!!! We heard someone knock at the door but did not open it.

Paul suggested we go out for dinner.We went to ‘Salt n Peppa’ just up the road and it was lovely.

Just to lighten the mood we went to the pictures and saw ‘Seven Psychopaths’. It was really good but we knew it would be because David and Margaret each gave it four stars!!!!

Ron drove Paul to work this morning. He has gone to Woomera for two weeks.

We decided to have pizza for dinner so rang and ordered Dominos. Ron went to start Paul’s car to pick it up….no go!!!!!! I rang and asked Dominos to change our order to a delivery which they did. Ron rang Paul to see if he is in NRMA or similar and he said to check gas/petrol switch. Ron checked it and lo and behold problem fixed…car working!!!!!

Paul's car has been converted to run on gas only but it still has a switch under the dash to change over to petrol. Ron must have unknowingly knocked it with his knee last time he got out!!!! 

Ron and I went to the pictures and saw ‘Argo’…top film, really enjoyed it.

We are both suffering from conjunctivitis at the moment so that has put a stop to much of our activities for the moment.

Fingers crossed it will get better soon!!!!