13. NORTHWARDS TO DARWIN

Heading Northwards we were still finding some very interesting places and strange sights.  Not really sure what to make of this place though?

But they did sell the cheapest diesel between Alice and Darwin, so a few Aliens are not going to scare us away!

We made camp further along the road at Wauchope and were rewarded with a beautiful night sky

Don't know the story behind these,  maybe these people  forgot where they parked....They've been here a while..

                                      

Rocks seem to be a recurring theme throughout the Territory and we soon came to the Devils Marbles

Our next stop was a place that we had read a bit about and a lot of people say its one of their favourites on the road North.

Some of the locals were there to welcome us

and it was a great place for signs

This is what the Managers say about the place.

It really was a place that made you feel welcome...

Even when going to the loo!  Ree, the manager told us some funny stories, one of which was so good I just had to write a poem - I do that occasionally - anyway when I get time I will put a page on here for this and any other poems that i feel the urge to write, in case anyone is interested.

After this we made our way, not too far up the road to another well recommended camp - Longreach Waterhole - it really lived up to its reputation, we were camped in a beautiful spot, right beside the waterhole (more like a massive lake!!)

 and the sunsets continue to amaze us.

We spent a few days camping here so had to live rough and fend for ourselves - no shops - so had to suffer eating camp oven bread!

We finally dragged ourselves away from this wonderful spot and went for a beer at the Daly Waters Pub...quite an institution in this part of the world.

As we travel we do occasionally have to share the road with others...some that we are happy to make way for.

We made our way to a National Park Campsite just outside of Mataranka, on the Roper River. Dave went out fishing with Kevin, the camp caretaker and  on just his second cast, caught his first ever Barramundi.

Not bad at all!  63cm long and it tasted delicious later that afternoon, served with some Bush Lemons that I gathered.

Maybe we can stay here and just live off the land!!

Just down the road were the Mataranka Thermal pools where we lazed away the morning next day.

Even though they were supposed to be 34' , they were quite refreshing.  We also tried out the thermal pools at Bitter Springs.  Nice to get into the water as we couldn't swim in the river due to an apparent crocodile sighting.

Next stop was to do some shopping in Katherine... Home of the famous...

Then it was Ever Northwards to Darwin - and the ocean!

and Dave thought he might get rid of me here.

But I thought he looked better suited to the accommodations

The prison is no longer in use but it was an eerie place and some rooms more than others.  This was the hanging room.

Dave is actually looking down into the space, after they have dropped the floor away - see the controls on the right hand side!

It was a pretty rugged place, Mens, Womens, and juvenile wings and these were also known to have been used to house Leprosy sufferers at one time.

Anyway as I write this blog, we are still here in Darwin, and have been lucky enough to have been asked to stay with friends - in a house!!  Luxury  plus!

and I will leave you with another iconic Darwin Institution!

until Next time -