Wednesday, August 31, 2011
CONTINUING IN BROOME
To have our air con fixed cost $370 - but - it is a necessity in this type of heat.
So we continued to look at the sights of Broome - the famous Cable Beach - the setting of the sun - brilliant - much fishing by the boys - small fish caught and only 1 Bream that was of edible size - cooked whole in foil - guess who ate it ..mmmm.
J and I walked up and down Chinatown - ? not like other chinatowns I have seen, and I finally settled for a pearl at Linneys to hang on my good gold chain. I is v. happy it is beautiful, though I am too scared to wear it out here in the bush - will wait till life is a little less strenuous.
Our cara/park was in Roebuck Bay - which was a beautiful turquoise colour, we walked down to the front grassy row to enjoy it and along the rocky beach round to Town Beach, Carolyn and I explored while the fishermen were gone. There is much natural beauty around Broome, and the centre is very touristy - buuut we were there but a short time.
Carolyn and I booked a camel ride on Cable Beach - later in the afternoon - cooler with the sun beating down and the sea breeze off the rolling waves - our trusty er - steed was called Amos - he was a good boy and plodded along while we rejoiced in the experience, once again many photos were taken. The fisherman continued to fish - without result.
So we continued to look at the sights of Broome - the famous Cable Beach - the setting of the sun - brilliant - much fishing by the boys - small fish caught and only 1 Bream that was of edible size - cooked whole in foil - guess who ate it ..mmmm.
J and I walked up and down Chinatown - ? not like other chinatowns I have seen, and I finally settled for a pearl at Linneys to hang on my good gold chain. I is v. happy it is beautiful, though I am too scared to wear it out here in the bush - will wait till life is a little less strenuous.
Our cara/park was in Roebuck Bay - which was a beautiful turquoise colour, we walked down to the front grassy row to enjoy it and along the rocky beach round to Town Beach, Carolyn and I explored while the fishermen were gone. There is much natural beauty around Broome, and the centre is very touristy - buuut we were there but a short time.
Carolyn and I booked a camel ride on Cable Beach - later in the afternoon - cooler with the sun beating down and the sea breeze off the rolling waves - our trusty er - steed was called Amos - he was a good boy and plodded along while we rejoiced in the experience, once again many photos were taken. The fisherman continued to fish - without result.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
DERBY AND THEN BROOME
Continuing along the Savannah Way we did 3 freecamp overnight stops passing through Turkey Creek, Christmas Creek, Halls Creek, Fitzroy Crossing, finally turning off to the North and Derby on the King Sound and into the Kimberley.
All the time we were in Derby it was very hot, well over 30 deg. dry and dusty, sometimes very very red dust. Our outside temperature gauge climbs up to 40 deg, thank heaven this caravan park has power and we can use the air conditioner and usually it cools down enough to allow us to sleep.
4 nights was spent, the boys fished without result, no crab either, we saw the Boab trees and viewed some of the historical aspects and at last Monday came and we moved on to Broome.
On arrival at our chosen park, we were sent to the overflow area, achieved power and water, but there is no shade and our Air Con has chucked it in.
We have had a little tour around a few of the spots, but mostly just sheltering from the heat at the moment.
All the time we were in Derby it was very hot, well over 30 deg. dry and dusty, sometimes very very red dust. Our outside temperature gauge climbs up to 40 deg, thank heaven this caravan park has power and we can use the air conditioner and usually it cools down enough to allow us to sleep.
4 nights was spent, the boys fished without result, no crab either, we saw the Boab trees and viewed some of the historical aspects and at last Monday came and we moved on to Broome.
On arrival at our chosen park, we were sent to the overflow area, achieved power and water, but there is no shade and our Air Con has chucked it in.
We have had a little tour around a few of the spots, but mostly just sheltering from the heat at the moment.
Friday, August 19, 2011
REALISING A DREAM
AWESOME seems inadequate - when I awoke in the morning I had butterflies and the experience came up to all my expectations !
Flying first over the Dam to divert the Ord River for farming and the spillway to the Power Station, then beautiful blue Lake Argyle, Zebra rock Peninsular was pointed out and the Ord River Delta.
We passed over several vast cattle stations and heard some of their histories and methods of dealing with this country and the isolation and recalled the many times we have passed the beef cattle trains with up to 4 trailers on behind.
Then the amazing beauty of the Bungle Bungles the finest example of cone karst sandstone in the world. The beehive shaped domes have layers of orange and dark grey striped appearance similar to a tiger skin, caused by cyanobacteria and iron oxide and they have become hardened over the years, but one was pointed out had been hit by lightening and there was the fragile sandstone beneath.
The towers, gorges and cliffs with steep walls held us spellbound and John and I passed the camera back and forth feverishly trying to capture the wonder of it.
Flying over the Argyle Diamond Mine we learned that Queen Elizabeth gets the first refusal on the more spectaclar diamonds they mine - such as the pink and blue ones.
As the aircraft circled back to Kununurra we heard of the 70 different crops extending over 14,000 hectares and plans for a second stage measuring 43,000 hectares of irrigated farmland. WOW !
We did a little more sightseeing that day and I was delighted to buy some small examples of the Zebra Rock for remembrance.
It was time to start packing up and in some ways I would be happy to go somewhere to get a good night's sleep. The Ord River Magpies had won their grand final on Friday and had been celebrating - using a microphone, whooping and hollering singing etc etc. over the last 3 nights in their club rooms on the other side of the showground where we stayed, I was happy for them but !
Flying first over the Dam to divert the Ord River for farming and the spillway to the Power Station, then beautiful blue Lake Argyle, Zebra rock Peninsular was pointed out and the Ord River Delta.
We passed over several vast cattle stations and heard some of their histories and methods of dealing with this country and the isolation and recalled the many times we have passed the beef cattle trains with up to 4 trailers on behind.
Then the amazing beauty of the Bungle Bungles the finest example of cone karst sandstone in the world. The beehive shaped domes have layers of orange and dark grey striped appearance similar to a tiger skin, caused by cyanobacteria and iron oxide and they have become hardened over the years, but one was pointed out had been hit by lightening and there was the fragile sandstone beneath.
The towers, gorges and cliffs with steep walls held us spellbound and John and I passed the camera back and forth feverishly trying to capture the wonder of it.
Flying over the Argyle Diamond Mine we learned that Queen Elizabeth gets the first refusal on the more spectaclar diamonds they mine - such as the pink and blue ones.
As the aircraft circled back to Kununurra we heard of the 70 different crops extending over 14,000 hectares and plans for a second stage measuring 43,000 hectares of irrigated farmland. WOW !
We did a little more sightseeing that day and I was delighted to buy some small examples of the Zebra Rock for remembrance.
It was time to start packing up and in some ways I would be happy to go somewhere to get a good night's sleep. The Ord River Magpies had won their grand final on Friday and had been celebrating - using a microphone, whooping and hollering singing etc etc. over the last 3 nights in their club rooms on the other side of the showground where we stayed, I was happy for them but !
Saturday, August 13, 2011
PUSHING ON TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Before leaving Katherine John and I investigated whether to purchase a satellite receiver dish, spent nearly 2 hours with a salesman, but in the end we decided that for an outlay of something over $500, it was not very reliable, would be something else to carry round, and fiddly to set up, further it would not be of any use when we return home.
As we travelled we commented the landscape was pretty ordinary and then we were gobsmacked to see the most wondrous mountain ranges, escarpments. We both took as many photos as we could, but they had to be from the car on the move, as there was nowhere that a car and caravan could pull over safely, so that was tricky, a few trees got in the way and got one of my reflection in the mirror taking a photo, but what the heck, they are all a record of our travels, and with a digital camera any that don't come up to scratch - can be deleted.
We chose to stay at the Timber Creek Hotel c/park - that evening at 5pm they fed the crocs, I was asked if I would like a go - they used a piece of broomstick, wire with a bend in it.
I did it in such a way that it was not a piece of cake for him to get it - he had to pull on it and he resorted to removing it with a death roll, staightening the hook as he did so, I had to use both hands. Guess what John was talking to someone and didn't get a photo !
Whilst there we were trying to scoff all the fruit and vegetable we still had, because we expected to cross the border into Western Australia next day, resorted to peeling and cooking some of the veg, thought it would be alright to remove the skins and fridge about 5 onions. But no they were confiscated, also 1 apple and orange a lettuce and some pieces of capsicum, cucumber, lettuce.
Grrrr - had to buy more this morning in Kununarra, at least it was a Farmers Market and nice quality.
We have booked a flight for 2 hours over the Bungle Bungles, Ord River, Lake Argyle and Argyle Diamond Mine - so cheerio for now, fill you in on how awesome that is later.
As we travelled we commented the landscape was pretty ordinary and then we were gobsmacked to see the most wondrous mountain ranges, escarpments. We both took as many photos as we could, but they had to be from the car on the move, as there was nowhere that a car and caravan could pull over safely, so that was tricky, a few trees got in the way and got one of my reflection in the mirror taking a photo, but what the heck, they are all a record of our travels, and with a digital camera any that don't come up to scratch - can be deleted.
We chose to stay at the Timber Creek Hotel c/park - that evening at 5pm they fed the crocs, I was asked if I would like a go - they used a piece of broomstick, wire with a bend in it.
I did it in such a way that it was not a piece of cake for him to get it - he had to pull on it and he resorted to removing it with a death roll, staightening the hook as he did so, I had to use both hands. Guess what John was talking to someone and didn't get a photo !
Whilst there we were trying to scoff all the fruit and vegetable we still had, because we expected to cross the border into Western Australia next day, resorted to peeling and cooking some of the veg, thought it would be alright to remove the skins and fridge about 5 onions. But no they were confiscated, also 1 apple and orange a lettuce and some pieces of capsicum, cucumber, lettuce.
Grrrr - had to buy more this morning in Kununarra, at least it was a Farmers Market and nice quality.
We have booked a flight for 2 hours over the Bungle Bungles, Ord River, Lake Argyle and Argyle Diamond Mine - so cheerio for now, fill you in on how awesome that is later.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
DALY RIVER/KATHERINE
In the hope of catching that all important "Barra" - Daly River was our next stop - $36 night, no water hookup - lotsa dust (what's new), no shade from the scorching sun, most of the rest of our requirements were there, power etc., even a swimming pool.
But that Barra was not ! A few other people caught one, but we heard that the season was almost finished - and despite our men several times praying at the river edge - trying all kinds of lures and bait - nothing - zilch - nix, over three days.
Nearly 300 klm was our next drive, arriving around midday at our previous spot The Manbullo Homestead, parked under the leafy green old English trees, with a carpet of leaves underfoot.
Did you know that up here trees drop their leaves in the dry season, to lessen the amount of moisture evaperated.
See read my blog and you learn things ! or not and be no worse off !
Ooh I am feeling flippant !
Katherine itself was no different, heaps of aboriginals around the pubs after they open from 2 till 6p.m.
For me to buy a 2litre only cask of wine I had to show my identification - it is checked against a list of people who have been banned from buying alcohol ! even though it is obvious I am just a "grey nomad" - not aboriginal.
It will be lovely to have a rest - uh blogging - John has various little projects he wants to complete, such as the aforementioned fan on fridge - his vehicle check before we sally forth toward Western Australia and whatever.
I will publish this now and continue another time - cheerio !
But that Barra was not ! A few other people caught one, but we heard that the season was almost finished - and despite our men several times praying at the river edge - trying all kinds of lures and bait - nothing - zilch - nix, over three days.
Nearly 300 klm was our next drive, arriving around midday at our previous spot The Manbullo Homestead, parked under the leafy green old English trees, with a carpet of leaves underfoot.
Did you know that up here trees drop their leaves in the dry season, to lessen the amount of moisture evaperated.
See read my blog and you learn things ! or not and be no worse off !
Ooh I am feeling flippant !
Katherine itself was no different, heaps of aboriginals around the pubs after they open from 2 till 6p.m.
For me to buy a 2litre only cask of wine I had to show my identification - it is checked against a list of people who have been banned from buying alcohol ! even though it is obvious I am just a "grey nomad" - not aboriginal.
It will be lovely to have a rest - uh blogging - John has various little projects he wants to complete, such as the aforementioned fan on fridge - his vehicle check before we sally forth toward Western Australia and whatever.
I will publish this now and continue another time - cheerio !
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK
It was only a 130 klm trek - firstly we stopped at Batchelor, a place that featured in WW2, we decided to stay just outside the park, they were very switched on gave us a map and advice about roads and the best features.
After setting up - lunch, took off to a concentration of Magnetic Termite mounds, all built north to south for coolness.
We viewed fantastic beautiful waterfalls and rockholes and had a swim, one of the roads into these sights was for 4wheel drive only, John had a wonderful time negotiating it, across creeks wheeee - funn !
Unlike dry Kakadu, Litchfield was a lovely green and pleasant place - as you drove there were all kinds of palms, Kapoch Bush, Cycads, Eucalyptus, grasses some dry some very green on the floodways.
Occasionally a burnt area, looking sad, sometimes it was burnt a couple of seasons ago and in the wet season had started to regenerate and was beautiful in a way. It gave me an insight to the different seasons and why fire here is good for regeneration.
We visited Blyth Homestead a corrugated iron hut where some of the 14 children of the Sargent family who had a cattle station further in, mined for tin. Their descendants had created a record of their very hard life.
Another day another 4 w/drive - wheeee again! The Lost city - made of 4 different kinds of rock in magical shapes, sometimes balancing I know not how. I felt that some could come crashing down at any time - all sorts of weird shapes - basically looking as its name says like a long lost city.
Another swim at Wangi Falls - found a transportable kiosk there - mmm burgers for lunch.
The bats were hanging upside down in the trees there - much hated by people for their odour and mess they create.
We had to move on the next day, but I could have stayed longer and seen and done more.
One thing I want to share with you - I read it on another caravan "NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST" - I love the sentiment.
After setting up - lunch, took off to a concentration of Magnetic Termite mounds, all built north to south for coolness.
We viewed fantastic beautiful waterfalls and rockholes and had a swim, one of the roads into these sights was for 4wheel drive only, John had a wonderful time negotiating it, across creeks wheeee - funn !
Unlike dry Kakadu, Litchfield was a lovely green and pleasant place - as you drove there were all kinds of palms, Kapoch Bush, Cycads, Eucalyptus, grasses some dry some very green on the floodways.
Occasionally a burnt area, looking sad, sometimes it was burnt a couple of seasons ago and in the wet season had started to regenerate and was beautiful in a way. It gave me an insight to the different seasons and why fire here is good for regeneration.
We visited Blyth Homestead a corrugated iron hut where some of the 14 children of the Sargent family who had a cattle station further in, mined for tin. Their descendants had created a record of their very hard life.
Another day another 4 w/drive - wheeee again! The Lost city - made of 4 different kinds of rock in magical shapes, sometimes balancing I know not how. I felt that some could come crashing down at any time - all sorts of weird shapes - basically looking as its name says like a long lost city.
Another swim at Wangi Falls - found a transportable kiosk there - mmm burgers for lunch.
The bats were hanging upside down in the trees there - much hated by people for their odour and mess they create.
We had to move on the next day, but I could have stayed longer and seen and done more.
One thing I want to share with you - I read it on another caravan "NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST" - I love the sentiment.
DARWIN AND SURROUNDS
We rolled into Darwin from the Arnhem and Stuart Highways arriving about 10:30 to stay at Shady Glen - well it was somewhat shady, dusty, noisy from the flights to and from the nearby airport, but the noise and dust from 6a.m. to 6p.m. from the Sims Metals plant across the road was horrendous.
Anyway we set up the annexe, washed, bought groceries, attended the famous Mindil Market, ate the biggest piece of Barramundi, and a beautiful fruit salad. Then on the Tuesday it was time to deliver John to the airport for his trip to Perth to attend a dinner at Capricorn, and Kev & Carol and I went to explore the waterfront. Guess what - more Barra eaten, exploring Stokes Hill Wharf, fish markets - a pearl shop had me drooling (I love pearls).
We explored the sky walk, read the histories of WW2 way more huge than I had realised.
188 aircraft on the first raid 19th Feb 1942 - hundreds of people killed and injured - major damage to the city of Darwin, USA aicraft and Naval boats - RAAF planes - then a second raid 2 hours later - by another 54 aircraft - army sources estimate 1,100 people killed.
The raids continued from February 1942 as our allies helped us fight back - it ended 12th November 1943.
During this trip we have seen many of the airstrips fashioned alongside the Stuart Highway, just grassed long strips, as they were trying to build the highway to get the personnel and supplies up to the North, so the Japanese were trying to bomb them.
Thousands of personnel were sent to the North during this time, one of them was my father and during this time I was finding out what a horrendous this time in Australia's history this was, my father was at the forefront of my mind and then I remembered the entries in his diary which I have at home where he spoke of his joy at my birth "My Joannie has had a baby girl, I think we will call the babe Ila Joan"
Explored Darwin city - marvelled at the cliffs around the bay which had been pounded by the seas over the years and the marvellous colour of the rock, beaches where the tide was out 1&1/2 kklm and another visit to Mindil Market.
Eventually John came back from Perth and we continued to tour round, then found we could not extend our stay-so we moved to another and far nicer park a little further out and prepared to move on.
Anyway we set up the annexe, washed, bought groceries, attended the famous Mindil Market, ate the biggest piece of Barramundi, and a beautiful fruit salad. Then on the Tuesday it was time to deliver John to the airport for his trip to Perth to attend a dinner at Capricorn, and Kev & Carol and I went to explore the waterfront. Guess what - more Barra eaten, exploring Stokes Hill Wharf, fish markets - a pearl shop had me drooling (I love pearls).
We explored the sky walk, read the histories of WW2 way more huge than I had realised.
188 aircraft on the first raid 19th Feb 1942 - hundreds of people killed and injured - major damage to the city of Darwin, USA aicraft and Naval boats - RAAF planes - then a second raid 2 hours later - by another 54 aircraft - army sources estimate 1,100 people killed.
The raids continued from February 1942 as our allies helped us fight back - it ended 12th November 1943.
During this trip we have seen many of the airstrips fashioned alongside the Stuart Highway, just grassed long strips, as they were trying to build the highway to get the personnel and supplies up to the North, so the Japanese were trying to bomb them.
Thousands of personnel were sent to the North during this time, one of them was my father and during this time I was finding out what a horrendous this time in Australia's history this was, my father was at the forefront of my mind and then I remembered the entries in his diary which I have at home where he spoke of his joy at my birth "My Joannie has had a baby girl, I think we will call the babe Ila Joan"
Explored Darwin city - marvelled at the cliffs around the bay which had been pounded by the seas over the years and the marvellous colour of the rock, beaches where the tide was out 1&1/2 kklm and another visit to Mindil Market.
Eventually John came back from Perth and we continued to tour round, then found we could not extend our stay-so we moved to another and far nicer park a little further out and prepared to move on.
Monday, August 1, 2011
CORROBOREE BILLABONG
I was pleased to leave behind the 36deg temperatures, huge and persistent mosquitoes, midges, we spent a lot of time scratching, dousing ourselves with repellant, lighting coils, zappers the lot.
We travelled the Arnhem Highway to Corroboree Billabong and a little more convenience, we now had telephone coverage for John's phone power and water - no TV yet- so despite the handwashing we had done in the Park, I did 2 washes and next day took all the mats to wash the dust out, the curtains I will leave till we get back to more civilisation, as I believe there is still a lot more dust to encounter in Western Australia.
We booked into a wetland cruise the next day, it was terrific, 1 1/2 hours for $45 on the Billabong in the evening, observing many, many wetland birds and animals. A golden python in a tree, magpie geese, egrets, black necked stork, sea eagles, herons, brolgas, Jacana and probably more, the names of which I have forgotten. I was enchanted by lillies and their pink flowers, and it was pointed out that they were water resistent. Our guide pointed out many crocodiles, but these were more docile, but still at least they were in their natural habitat.
Far off in the distance was a group of wild pigs and we saw the destruction they wrought on the river bank-doing what pigs do.
Then we viewed the brilliant setting of the sun - many photos again.
Back home to a phone call from Elaine and prepared spaghetti bolognase for tea.
We drove around looking at some of the sights in the area a little, but also had a good relax, it was joyful to be out of the wilderness.
We travelled the Arnhem Highway to Corroboree Billabong and a little more convenience, we now had telephone coverage for John's phone power and water - no TV yet- so despite the handwashing we had done in the Park, I did 2 washes and next day took all the mats to wash the dust out, the curtains I will leave till we get back to more civilisation, as I believe there is still a lot more dust to encounter in Western Australia.
We booked into a wetland cruise the next day, it was terrific, 1 1/2 hours for $45 on the Billabong in the evening, observing many, many wetland birds and animals. A golden python in a tree, magpie geese, egrets, black necked stork, sea eagles, herons, brolgas, Jacana and probably more, the names of which I have forgotten. I was enchanted by lillies and their pink flowers, and it was pointed out that they were water resistent. Our guide pointed out many crocodiles, but these were more docile, but still at least they were in their natural habitat.
Far off in the distance was a group of wild pigs and we saw the destruction they wrought on the river bank-doing what pigs do.
Then we viewed the brilliant setting of the sun - many photos again.
Back home to a phone call from Elaine and prepared spaghetti bolognase for tea.
We drove around looking at some of the sights in the area a little, but also had a good relax, it was joyful to be out of the wilderness.
ALONG THE STUART HIGHWAY INTO KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
Staying first at a camp called Mardugal - the usual dry dusty underfoot, and no more power, water, radio, phone or TV, just an amenities block -showers/toilets. We spent our time driving to local sites to view rock art, one picture would be painted over another - no reverence for another's work, except if it was deemed to have been done by a "mimi spirit" (creation ancestors). There was a drawing of a person who had - they got swollen joints (arthritis) Using rocky outcrops
sometimes they painted about their hopes for a good hunting trip - ceremonies - the native animals, kangaroos, turtles, fish, sometimes in an xray style - showing the inner organs, tracing outline of their hands or imersing them and puting on the wall as children do at kindergarten, there was ships which were the Mocassans, a white man shown with his hands in his pockets.
They used ochre, blood, charcoal, blood, iron stained clays to produce red, orange & yellow.
As they can be easily removed by natural processes e.g. rain, the rangers use lines of silicon to form a drip rail above to deter any from washing over them.
A Ranger presented a slide show one night about aboriginal languages and told how they had only 6 different names and everyone had one of them and everyone else who had that name became their auntie or uncle, and some of the facts about the rock paintings.
Pitch black night, there were no lights you had to take a torch to negotiate the uneven ground.
Moving on to another ground called Merl - same deal about conveniences, showers and toilets for a cost of $10 per head.
At Merl there was some fantastic rock formations within walking distance, a lot of the ground was blackened by the fires used to control weeds and cause the plants to grow fresh shoots.
140 million year old escarpments combined with flood plains - very beautiful and eye opening, causing one to realise what a tiny speck one is in the overall scheme.
One day we went to fish in the East Alligator River by a boat ramp and a crossing into Arnhem Land, which we were told we needed a pass to enter, however we stayed on this side.
Whilst the boys fished along this tidal river came first one crocodile then a second, third, fourth and a fifth - WOW - sometimes they just let the tidal river move them along in their search for fish and other times they rolled down into the water surfacing we knew not where. Each time they did that we moved further up the bank, because a ranger had told us they could move at 55 klms for the first 5 metres if following a possible meal. Kev fished on behind a tree which had fallen along the riverbank, but the rest of us just gawped - binoculars and cameras got a workout that afternoon. No fish were caught by anyone - funny that - I reckon they were all eaten by the crocs.
Another day we drove out to Ubirr Rock -more rocky outcrops - climbing a graduated trail for about 1 klm pausing to look at more examples of rocks and art - pausing at times as rangers were giving talks about crocks - rock art - language - aboriginal heritage - as we climbed the breeze got up and was a lovely cooling element, the aboriginals used to climb up there to get relief.
Then at the top there was a wonderful 360deg. lookout, I did not climb the steep last bit, but I still had a wonderful view of the wetlands and billabongs and further mountain ranges - Once again many photos.
.
sometimes they painted about their hopes for a good hunting trip - ceremonies - the native animals, kangaroos, turtles, fish, sometimes in an xray style - showing the inner organs, tracing outline of their hands or imersing them and puting on the wall as children do at kindergarten, there was ships which were the Mocassans, a white man shown with his hands in his pockets.
They used ochre, blood, charcoal, blood, iron stained clays to produce red, orange & yellow.
As they can be easily removed by natural processes e.g. rain, the rangers use lines of silicon to form a drip rail above to deter any from washing over them.
A Ranger presented a slide show one night about aboriginal languages and told how they had only 6 different names and everyone had one of them and everyone else who had that name became their auntie or uncle, and some of the facts about the rock paintings.
Pitch black night, there were no lights you had to take a torch to negotiate the uneven ground.
Moving on to another ground called Merl - same deal about conveniences, showers and toilets for a cost of $10 per head.
At Merl there was some fantastic rock formations within walking distance, a lot of the ground was blackened by the fires used to control weeds and cause the plants to grow fresh shoots.
140 million year old escarpments combined with flood plains - very beautiful and eye opening, causing one to realise what a tiny speck one is in the overall scheme.
One day we went to fish in the East Alligator River by a boat ramp and a crossing into Arnhem Land, which we were told we needed a pass to enter, however we stayed on this side.
Whilst the boys fished along this tidal river came first one crocodile then a second, third, fourth and a fifth - WOW - sometimes they just let the tidal river move them along in their search for fish and other times they rolled down into the water surfacing we knew not where. Each time they did that we moved further up the bank, because a ranger had told us they could move at 55 klms for the first 5 metres if following a possible meal. Kev fished on behind a tree which had fallen along the riverbank, but the rest of us just gawped - binoculars and cameras got a workout that afternoon. No fish were caught by anyone - funny that - I reckon they were all eaten by the crocs.
Another day we drove out to Ubirr Rock -more rocky outcrops - climbing a graduated trail for about 1 klm pausing to look at more examples of rocks and art - pausing at times as rangers were giving talks about crocks - rock art - language - aboriginal heritage - as we climbed the breeze got up and was a lovely cooling element, the aboriginals used to climb up there to get relief.
Then at the top there was a wonderful 360deg. lookout, I did not climb the steep last bit, but I still had a wonderful view of the wetlands and billabongs and further mountain ranges - Once again many photos.
.
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