More Northern Territory adventures.....

We drove to Mataranka and found a campsite in the Jalmuark National Park.  Such a large campground and hardly anyone there.  A great toilet block with hot showers and all for only $9 per person.  Sure beats the $30-$46 per night at the caravan parks.

After we had our lunch we drove around to Bitter Springs to swim in the Thermal Pool there.  What a beautiful spot.  The river meanders through lush growth for about 500 metres and you just float along with the current.  At the end you hop out and walk back to the start.  The water is lovely and warm at around 32 degs it's not hard to see why so many people love to visit here.

I went down twice while Bill just dipped in and out the second time around.  Returning to camp we stopped and had a look at the local park.  It is here that the author Jeanie Gunn wrote We of the Never Never and there are sculptures of the characters here.  A little the worse for wear so no photos here.

At the other end of the park there is a giant termite mound and we stopped here for a quick look.  This is is the largest man made termite mound and an audio recording provides some interesting facts on these fascinating creatures.  Back at the camp ground we cooked dinner and enjoyed a lovely silent night.

The next morning we drove into Katherine and did the shopping, some things still need to be done and shopping and washing are the two most constants.  We were amazed at the number of vans, campers and motor homes parked in the specially allocated parking spot.  There are certainly many people on the move to avoid the cold weather down south.  We are seeing an awful lot of WA number plates too and the last two weeks have been school holidays as well.

Once the shopping was finished we drove to our next stop which was Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park.  We have visited here before but just for a quick look.  This time we were hoping to get into their campgrounds and stay the night.  We did and loved it.  Again only $9 per person.  Later in the afternoon we donned the bathers and walked down to the beautiful pool.  

Just the smaller of the two falls are still flowing but that didn't distract form the sheer majesty of the place.  We enjoyed our swim in the water here and found it very much colder than the warm water of yesterday.  Refreshing I called it but Bill just called it cold, it certainly cools you down quickly.  We whiled away the rest of the afternoon under the awning with a book.  It is going to very hard to leave this idyllic spot.  This cheeky Red winged Parrot came to visit and hung around for a little while.

The next morning we were up and off again but only a few kms down the road.  We were stopping at Pine Creek to see if we can find that elusive Hooded Parrot.  We stayed just out of Pine Creek town at Pussy Cat Flats.  This is the Race Track and we camped right on the track against the outside rail.  

There have been no races here for about four years and it is used as a campground.  There is a bar open from 4.00pm each night and they serve dinner.  A nine hole golf course is dotted around the edges and through the centre but I didn't see anyone playing.  A really quirky place to stay.

That afternoon we drove the short distance into Pine Creek and checked out all the known haunts,of this Hooded Parrot.  Just when we were about to give up and head home Bill struck it lucky.  There were two pair feeding quietly on the grass at Ah Toys Oval.  They really are beautiful birds and we are so thrilled to have found them at last.  Bill took lots of photos hoping for a really special shot so we will see a bit later on how he went.   A gorgeous picture but Bill thinks he can do better so we will visit again on they way back.

Back at home we decided the bar was the place to be and had a drink to celebrate our find and stayed for dinner.  The wild caught Barra was the nicest I have had anywhere and the chips and salad good too.

The next morning we packed up and said goodbye to Pine Creek as we set off for Darwin.  Next stop Josie and Nolans driveway.  We arrived around mid afternoon and were soon set up and enjoying a cold drink and a chat with our hosts.  Later that afternoon we joined them for their sunset drinks at Nightcliff and then it was home to enjoy the wonderful roast dinner Josie had cooked.

The next morning we were all up early to stop at Parap Markets to buy our breakfast and then we drove down to the Foreshore overlooking Darwin Harbour while we ate it.  Josie and Nolan do this every Saturday morning and we really enjoyed joining in.

Back at home Bill tackled the car, it needed to be emptied and cleaned before we could drive Josie and Nolan to dinner that night.  Before we knew it everyone was involved with Ian helping Bill with the high pressure hose.  Josie and I did the inside while the boys sorted the outside.  It hasn't been this clean since March!

We joined them and their family for dinner at the Waterfront that night and enjoyed a nice meal and good company.  Josie was bringing her 16 month great granddaughter home to sleep over and she fell asleep on the way home.  It had been a big night for Kiara.  She didn't even wake up during the car to bed transfer.  It wasn't long before we all joined her in the land of nod.

The next morning we were all entertained by Kiara until it was time to take her home to her mum.  We did this and then Nolan guided us on a drive to Channel Island.  Back at home we just had time to collect our drinks and head to Nightcliff for the sunset.

Monday was a day of housework, washing and shopping and on Tuesday Nolan and Josie took us to Mandorah.  It is a long drive but once there we had our picnic lunch on the cliffs and enjoyed the view across the harbour to Darwin.  

Bill got up early on Wednesday morning and went bird photographing at Lee Point and Buffalo Creek.  I stayed in bed for a bit longer before braving the day.  He was quite happy with his mornings work and once home just enjoyed some down time on the patio.

Nolan had bought their van home earlier in the day as we were all going to spend the long weekend at Adelaide River.  On Thursday morning we had an early start and were soon on our way.  Before long we had arrived and were enjoying the beautiful shady sites side by side at Adelaide River Caravan Park.

That evening we drove up to the highest spot in town to watch the sunset.  We were here with Josie and Nolan last October and enjoyed the repeat performance.

We were in Adelaide River for The Rosella Festival held on Darwin Show Day each year.  It is held in the grounds of the hotel and there are a number of stalls like a market.  We enjoyed a walk around during the day and came away with home made jams, home made cakes, tablecloth and hand towel as well as two summer tops for the hot weather that we were now experiencing.  

The next day we drove out to a place Nolan calls The Pits.  We are not sure of its origins but it looks like it might have been a mine.  There are now large pits filled with water, fish, water lilies and birds.  We ate our lunch beside one of these pits and then went back to relax under the awning.

The next two days we spent enjoying the shade and the swimming pool remaining for an extra day while Nolan and Josie returned home.  We would return but first we were off to spen a few days in Litchfield National Park.  

until then........