Alice Springs to Katherine

June 29th
Left Alice Springs trekking further north and finally broke through the 20 degree Celsius barrier.  Keith was determined it was going to get warmer today and had worn his shorts and thongs in anticipation.  Stopped in at Devils Marbles to have a look at the amazing boulders and then drove on to make a bush camp 50 km north of Tennant Creek.
 

Devils Marbles

A fairly windy, but warm night with lots of flapping canvas and squeaking camper joints.  The squeaking was too much for Mike by about 1 am, so he got up and gave them all a dose of silicon lube.  Fixed the problem!

June 30th
Broke camp and continued our drive.  Pulled in at Elliot for a toilet stop to discover they had burst a water main and the toilets were closed.  Also stopped in at Newcastle Waters for a quick look at the very thoughtful and beautifully constructed memorial to the drovers.

 

Drovers memorial statue

Daly Waters Pub decorated with all sorts of clothing in particular bras was our next destination and where the boys had a beer.

Daly Waters Pub

Then it was on to Mataranka.  The hot springs were wonderful with Sue and Keith enjoying them three times while Mike and I went in twice.  Also did some turtle spotting with torches of the end of the swimming platform at the Roper River that night.

Sue and Keith at Mataranka Springs

Sally at Mataranka Springs

Turtle spotting - Roper River Mataranka

The day had been quite breezy but the wind dropped and the night was perfect.  A band was playing outdoors at the resort alongside our camp.  Thankfully they were pretty good as they could be heard all over.

July 1st (Been away 13 weeks today)
To Katherine today.  Also Territory Day (though the locals seemed unsure what they were celebrating) and they are selling fireworks everywhere as it is the one day of the year they are allowed to fire them.  Caravan parks are very full as it is NT school holidays (they have 4 weeks at this time of year).  We took the first two park sites we could get together, set up the campers and then went into town for a coffee.  Then back to the campers for lunch before we drove further north to Pine Creek.  Why Pine Creek you may well ask? It is significant because I had been told that the head stone from my Great, Great Grandfather's grave was in the museum.  The first inkling I had that this was correct was a reference to RH Wilcox found on two of the decorated tiles on the 'walk back in time' through town .

'Walk back in time' tile

'Walk back in time' tile

Then we went to the museum and saw it for ourselves.  A wonderful corner has been set up with his story and the head stone.  The elderly lady at the museum was very excited by my visit.  She told me his story is so important to her because it is indicative of the difficulty, hardship and isolation faced by the early pioneers.



His story



R.H. Wilcox Headstone



R.H Wilcox corner

After this poignant moment we went up to the lookout which has views over town and the old Enterprise Mine pit, now full of water.  Then back to the Pine Creek pub for beers and merlots!  Rather noisy night back in Katerine.  Official fireworks held at the show grounds but unofficial fireworks going off all the way up to midnight.

July 2^nd
Shopping in downtown Katherine this morning to restock, before heading out to Katherine Gorge to do the Three Gorge Tour.  Had a car roll over in front of us on the way out to the gorge which set the adrenaline racing.  Saw the whole accident unfold before our eyes, as we had been following the car for a while.  The family of four people managed to crawl out the back window and thankfully were OK with minor cuts, bumps and bruises, although one of the kids did lose consciousness briefly.  Rental car a write off though! Once the paramedics arrived we left them to it!  The gorge tour was wonderful. 

Katherine Gorge

Katherine Gorge

Swimming at Katherine Gorge

Saw three fresh water crocodiles and had a swim in one of the rock pools.  No ‘salties’ today, although they tell us they have pulled a few out of here before.  Back at camp we put the camp oven to work again and cooked another yummy lamb roast.  Loving my camp oven!!  Just to add a bit of entertainment to the end of the day, I was enjoying my last mouthful of lamb when I started to get very wet.  Damn possum decided to relieve himself on me from above.  Was not impressed with the wetness or the stench and very glad I had finished my dinner.  Headed quickly for the shower!