Darwin Still – 27/5/2011

Dad had told us last night that Centrelink had sent to letters with requests for information in them so we decided to visit Casuarina Shopping Centre, went to Centrelink and were told we needed to do an interview on Monday. (We were planning to leave on Sunday). Wandered around the very large centre, came back to the van park (we have paid for 3 days so we have to stay) in time for the afternoon rush of jets. Quiet evening (except for the jets) watching the footy.

To Darwin – 26/5/2011

We have to reorganise the next part of the trip. The trip to Kakadu needs to be put off because getting to Darwin to get this tooth fixed is first priority. When we got to Pine Creek we asked for a telephone book, went up the hill to look at the old water filled open cut mine that is 350 m deep (see photo below). I started ringing dentists in Darwin to try to find one that could fix my tooth in the next few days. Bingo – the first dental practise keeps some appointments for emergencies and had one late this afternoon.

Off we set up the highway with plenty of time to get to Darwin in time for the appointment. Up the road a way we saw a signpost that points to a scenic route to Darwin so we decide that it might be fun to get off the highway and see some nice scenery. Not the best choice – not really scenic, rather winding and narrow and it seemed to go on forever. Finally we got back to the highway and Jeff says that is the last time we take a scenic route. World War 2 airfields seem to be very common up here – we pass one every few kms.

Stopping for lunch we make choices about the van park to stay for the next few days. We choose the closest one to the city, book in and head for the dentists. I am an hour early but Jeff wanted to be sure I got there so dropped me off and with his fingers crossed said he would hopefully figure out where to pick me up after the appointment.  The dentist’s surgery was very ritzy, right in the middle of the city in a beautiful old building but with very modern rooms. The dentist came down with his last patient and introduced himself to me. He was about Ben’s age and just lovely. He so carefully and gently filled the space where the old filling had been that I hardly noticed anything, all the time saying funny things to the nurse and me. It was not cheap but had been a lovely experience so I didn’t begrudge the fee too much.

After the appointment Jeff picked me up (yay he found it) so we could go down to the Mindil Sunset Market.

We bought some yummy food and walked around looking at all the stalls – a bit like Horseshoe Bay Market times a hundred. We noticed the sun was getting lower so onto the beach we went, joining hundreds of othes to watch the sunset over the water.

As we walked back to the van we bumped into Lyn and Arthur, the couple we had had dinner with at Mataranka. They are from Hobart and were really enjoying the warm weather. Back to the van park we trundled and found out a rather disconcerting fact – the park was in the flight path of the Darwin Airport! Not the best night’s sleep we had ever had but not too bad until about 4am when the morning rush began. Forget the sleep in.

Edith Falls – 25/5/2011

We left Mataranka, heading for Katherine. We shopped, had lunch then decided to go to Katherine Spings. here we met a couple from Adelaide named Jeff and Lyn and we shared mouse stories. This is where the water comes out of the rock face.

We travelled to Edith Falls about 60 km away which is a National Park falls and decided to stay here for the night, so set up camp and walked down to the falls and the enormous pool at its base.

The area has only been reopened for a short time after the wet and the pool is still closed for swimming because salties have been sighted in the area. We decided not to swim.

We chatted to some people while sitting near the pool and a tour group came down to look at the pool too. After going back to the van we placed Scrabble (I won again) and when we finished we got ready for bed. I was cleaning my teeth when rattle, rattle, rattle went something down the drain. Searching my mouth with my tongue I realised that the back of my front tooth was missing. Oh heck, this was not good!(I actually said a bit more than this but children might be reading)

At Mataranka – 24/5/2011

After we left Daly Waters we travelled to Mataranka, passing through Larimar where they have the Pink Panther Pub and the Big Stubby.

Had a short stop for morning tea at a roadside stop. BJ, Kay and the others caught up with us and decided to stay there for the night. We travelled into Mataranka and out to Bitter Springs. The spring areas have only been opened for 3 weeks so it was still a bit boggy underfoot but the springs were beautiful shades of blue and warm to touch.

Then we travelled to the main springs, walked down to the pool and then decided to stay at the springs for the night so we could go for a swim.

 It was a lovely swim, chatted to some people from Mackay who have done the trip the other way and are almost home. They told us some good places to visit in WA and that they had just come through Kakadu and it had just been opened to traffic after the floods.

To Daly Waters – 23/5/2011

Left the Pebbles early setting off towards Daly Waters. Saw a car carrier that had hit a cow and run off the road. Smashed in his left side engine area. Had lunch in Elliot – even more interesting than Tennant Creek. Arrived in Daly Waters and camped at the Daly Waters Pub Caravan Park. Really got it worked out here. Very organised – had the Barra and Beef Barbeque and then were entertained by Chilli, a comedian, poet, singer and storyteller – he was very good indeed. We also ran into some of our fellow Tropical Coast Wanderers this evening – what a coincidence – they are travelling almost the same trip as us.

Not that far from Tennant Creek – 22/5/2011

Got up after a reasonably restful night – not bad considering the local footy team had won their game the day before. Decided take a look at Mary Rose Dam (NT 21) which is a few kms out of town. Lovely spot, so we decided to stay there for the day (well at least to watch the footy on TV).

We headed north after the game and a few more kms down the road the turnoff to The Pebbles loomed, so we turned in to have a look. Really just a few scattered rocks but a nice little free camp so we decide to settle there for the night.(NT 20). This is what the road in looks like on the way in.

Still at Tennant Creek – 21/5/2011

Slept in, did washing, finished book (Clan of the Cave Bear – rereading the series before I read the new one), started new book, watched footy – a generally nothing day – need them occasionally.

To Tennant Creek – 20/5/2011

As we hadn’t stayed in Alice Springs for the weekend we decided to spend it in Tennant Creek. So off we set for the fairly short trip. Interesting choice. Spent the day lying around reading and writing up blog posts to catch up. Night life a bit exciting,

What to do? – 19/5/2011

When we got up this morning Jeff jumped up, grabbed the holder he thought the mouse (by now named Alice) was in and threw it out the door and shut it quickly. We had had a difficult night and had to decide what to do next. We needed to go back 30 kms to Alice Springs to get water, fuel  mouse traps and new runners for Jeff (his got holed on a sharp stone.) When we were there we decided to head north and not risk any more mouse experiences.

Off we set up the highway again. We stopped at Aileron where they have giant sculptures of an aboriginal man, woman and child.

Pushing further north we arrived at the Devil’s Marbles Campground ( NT 24) to stay the night. Set the traps but no noise from Alice. Darwin is a bit worried, he doesn’t want to get nibbled by Alice.

Furry Little Friends - 18/5/2011

This morning we made the short drive into Alice Springs and asked the ladies about the mouse plague down south. They were dismissive of it and said that there were more mice everywhere because of the extra grass growth – nothing to worry about. Bought Subway for lunch and walked around town. It looks like a nice place but not as big as I thought it would be. Had lunch at their mini Castle Hill. Another good city view.

 We weren’t totally convinced so decided to do a trip out to the ‘Gaps” in the West McDonald Ranges. We passed Simpson’s Gap and Standly Chasm planning to see them on the way back tomorrow.  Needing a break we stopped at Ellery Creek Big Hole to have a look and stretch our legs. Pretty waterhole.

Driving on a bit further we reached the spot we had chosen for the night, Neil Hargrave Lookout (NT 48). Wow! What a beautiful spot. Amazing, superb views, up off the road and no one there – bliss. We chose our spot and waited for the sun set. A few other campers arrived and parked nearby but it didn’t bother us.

No reception for anything (the norm lately) so we decided to play Scrabble. Halfway through the game I heard little noises coming from the motor area so Jeff went to have a look under the bonnet. Mice were everywhere inside the motor area. As he stood there the mice were trying to climb up his legs and were climbing up the tyres to get in. He said there were thousands of them. This was not good! He came in and closed the vents so they couldn’t get into the cabin area and went back to our game. A few minutes later I looked around the see a mouse pop up on the dashboard – inside! Jeff made a grab for it and chased it down into the step well and kicked it out. As soon as he did that another one popped out of the same spot and then disappeared. This was more than not good – we now had mice inside.

A speedy decision was made to vacate this perfect spot and travel back to a caravan park at Alice Springs for the night – 107kms away. It was 9:15. Luckily we hadn’t unpacked much and were on the road in 5 minutes with the mice throwing themselves at Glen trying to get in as we left.

As we travelled we could see mice scurrying across the road. We counted 14 owls, a dingo and a herd of horses as we ambled back at about 70 k/p/h because of the dark. We arrived at the closest caravan park to find it shut and tightly bolted up with no one answering the bell. We went to another with the same result – it was 10:30 at night. What to do? We decided to go to the first free camp north (anywhere north). Arrived at the Tropic Of Capricorn Rest Area (NT 37) at 11 and climbed straight into bed exhausted (the beauty of a motorhome). Our resting place was about 10 metres from the highway but that didn’t matter until a B triple sped past doing about 130 and let go his horn as he passed. A fitting raspberry for the day we had had. We could hear little scratching noises all night.

To the Centre - 17/5/2011

Leaving the bore we went past Barkly Homestead to Three Ways which is the corner of the Barkly and Stuart Highways and turned left to head towards Alice Springs. It was a long driving day, the highlight being lunch at the Devil’s Marbles. Notice the dingo - Glen was a bit worried.

 

We continued down the highway until we reached our stop for the night Prowse Gap (NT 32). There was another beautiful sunset.

One of the motorhomers warned us that going to Uluru was not a really good idea due to a mouse plague down there. We thought that sounded like good advice and decided to ask the information  people at Alice Springs.

Into the Outback - 16/5/2011

We got up early this morning and went ound to see the windscreen repair place we had been trying to ring all weekend. He was very nice and fixed it straight away. You can hardly see it now.
Set off from Mount Isa at 11 am and headed towards Camooweal. The area is still hilly and lush but it soon changed to flat and almost bare. After getting fuel at Camooweal ($1.89 litre for diesel) we made for the border where we had lunch.(see picture below)

We travelled for another 4 hours before stopping at a bore hole (NT 4) not far from Barkly Homestead. Lovely sunset. The cars and trucks are wizzing past at 130 kph - the speed limit here. Lucky to have got any internet pickup - no TV or radio reception.

At The Isa

We left last night's caravan park and went for a drive to check out what else was on offer.
On the way aound we went up to the lookout to admire the view. It is like a mini Castle Hill in the middle of town and has quite a speccy view. (see below)

We found a nice park to stay in, got some washing done and watched more footy. I dare not look at our footy tipping for the weekend - I think I will have none and Jeff hasn't done much better.

To Mount Isa

We set off happily from Cloncurry knowing we only had a short trip to Mount Isa. The country is much more interesting and was the home of the Kalkadoon people - a warrior tribe. (there is a doco about them on the ABC on Monday.) We were only happy for a short time. Going around a bend on a newly made stretch of road a car coming in the opposite direction sent up a spray of stones that have put 2 stars and  some chips on the windscreen. I won't repeat what Jeff said but he had to have a nicobate gum straight away.
When we got to Mount Isa we searched for a windscreen repair place but, of the 3, one didn't do repairs, one was waiting for a new delivey of resin and the third wouldn't answer their phone. So we are stuck in the exciting city of Mount Isa until Monday. We decided to stay in a caravan park instead of free camping because the free camps were too far away. The caravan park we chose is a bit of a worry - permanent residents from the mines with big dirt bikes and loud music.

To Cloncurry

While we were in Hughendon Darwin and Conan met a new friend -

Mutt the Muttaburrasaurus.

He is in the main street of Hughendon.

Glen didn't want to get too close.

You can see them better in the following photo.

After we left Hughendon the day was fairly boring.

The landscape was flat and the vegetation sparse.

We only went through 2 towns before we got to Cloncurry.

Spent the night at a caravan park so Jeff could watch the footy.

Snigger, snigger the mighty pies lost.

To Hughendon.

We awoke to a cold but lovely morning and set off. We crossed the mighty Burdekin River (see picture) just before getting to Charters Towers where after some quick shopping we made it to Balfe's Creek for lunch. Travelled onto Hughendon where we are spending the night at the RV park (Q298)

Leaving home

11/05/2011 - Day 1
Well we are on the road at last. Here we are ready to go in the driveway. You can see the decimated mango tree that has held us up. (I think it looks like a giant curlew.)

We left yesterday afternoon on the 12.25 barge. The water was flat and it was a lovely trip to Townsville. Here we are waiting in the queue to get on the barge.

Driving onto the barge at Nelly Bay.

Farewell Nelly Bay.

Farewell our island home - see you in about 8 months.

We only made it as far as Reid River (Q280 in Camps Australia 6) last night because we didn't leave Townsville until 4:45.

Introduction

Hi everyone. Welcome to our blog. We are new to blogging so please excuse any mistakes etc that we make. We are planning to circumnavigate Australia in our motorhome, Glen Hope 3 (Glen for short). Coming along for the ride are Darwin, Jeff's gutsy little brown teddy and Conan, Linda's tough black Tambo teddy. We hope you will drop into the blog often to see what adventures we are having.