On the way North

We left Alice Springs and made our way North.  Stopped off at Barrow Creek for fuel and to check out the old pub.  Lots of aborigines here, all drinking VB.   The back of the pub was covered in empty cans.   So far the only rubbish we have seen on the roadsides are empty VB Cartons (lots) and burnt out/stolen? cars. On to Wycliffe Well, Alien Capital of Australia.  Or so they claim.  Possibly because there isnt anything else here to make you vaguely interested in stopping.  Just a caravan park/general store.   The Devils Marbles were next on the "wish list".  Im not sure how I feel about them.  My expectations were huge, seen lots of pics.  They were beautiful, amazing, awesome but Spectacular? as I thought they were going to be, I think not.  Thats just my opinion but.   It was a love/disappointment type of feeling.  Then we went to Tennant Creek.  The drive thru the main street was enough to put you off.   Its a big town, I think around 10,000 people here if Im right.  Its the sort of place I would think twice about walking down the street in the middle of the day.  After dark - you would be MAD.   Full of aborigines, all pretty much just standing/sitting around everywhere.  We had to fuel up here and whilst Rick was in the mens room, two young girls (13/14) came in and actually asked him for money.;  He told them "go get a job".  Its sad to think they might have been actually soliciting at their age.  They passed us a little later outside, not a care in the world.    We had a picnic out at Lake Mary Anne and we all agreed we couldnt be bothered staying here.   So off we headed for the  famous Daly Waters Pub/Camping ground.   Fortunately a friend in Darwin had called me that morning and told me "get there by lunchtime" or take your chances.   We were going out to visit a couple of old towns off the highway, but decided they could wait for a return visit in the years to come.   Got into Daly Waters and we all camped up together.  Another lot of caravanners that we had spent time with caught up with us and we all headed off for Happy Hour and dinner at the pub.   Beef & Barramundi is the speciality.  It was great.  The nightly entertainment was hilarious.  The chaps name was "Chilli"  a comedian/bush poet/balladeer, ex stockman etc. etc.  typical bush bloke.  We bought his CD so hope its as good as the show we saw.  Laughed till we cried. Such a nice spot to stay.  Once again nothing here, just the pub, but it was chockers, prob. 100 or more vehicles all over the place.   The one thing we have found now is that wherever we camp up (free camps)  for the night, we must be there by 2.30/3.00pm or you take a chance of not getting in.   We are now meeting up with the same people over and over again as we all head the same way and do the same distances each day.   Once we left Daly Waters we noticed lots of road kill.  Since we had been in the N.T. there was almost none, Id say prob. at the most 1/2dozen in the weeks we were here.  Then in just 100kms. we saw so many dead wallabies it was shocking.  All small/young.  Saw a dead donkey as well.   It is so lush and green here, the waterholes/dams/creeks all have water in them.  The foliage on the trees is thick and green.  In some cases you cant see thru the trees, the growth is so strong.   I imagined central australia to be quite dry and barren, but we are driving these roads and they look just like bush forests back home.  Lots of colors - greys, lime greens, dark greens, yellow, pink and red flowering trees.  Its just beautiful.   They tell us that is why we arent seeing as much road kill because, there is so much food and water away from the roadsides that the animals are happy staying "bush".

One thing I must mention is the N.T. Govt.   and whoever looks after the roads.  All of the main roads here are in great condition.  Very little potholes etc.   Since arriving on the N.T. border, we have noticed the roadsides have all been slashed from the border, to where we are now, in Katherine.   It must be a huge fulltime job for the slashing gang.   The grass is obviously growing and its a credit to them to have it looking so good.    There is also a lot fo burn offs taking place too. Obviously it means its safer too as you can see if anything is coming out of the bush in front of you. Some caravanners travelling in front of us hit a dingo when it flew out between their car and van.  Weve had a couple run out as well, but they have been a fair way off.  Did kill a lovely 4ft. snake though.  It wasnt happy.

From Daly Waters we travelled to Mataranka.  This is where the warm springs bubble up from the ground and form a  natural "hot spa pool".     The water flows continually. We stayed at the Campground and as soon as we were ready, hit the water.   It was lovely.  Did not want to get out.  Even though it was a very hot day, it felt quite cold when you got out of the stream and so you just jumped back in.   Next to the springs was a river where we saw 3 crocs sunning themselves on some logs.  Creepy.   That night there was some entertainment on.  It was pretty crappy - a Neil Diamond type.   Couldnt sing to save himself. The little kids dancing in front of the stage were more entertaining.  Friday was July 1 - Territory Day.  You can legally buy fireworks on this day and so we were entertained by fireworks during a break in the entertainment.   As soon as they were over, everyone deserted the "entertainment".  We headed back to the vans for a few more drinks and were lucky enough to witness a later fireworks display (I think they found some they forgot to let off)   We had a great view and it was fun to ooh and aah.   We had discussed going down for a swim in the dark, taking our lanterns, but we all chickened out.   Got up the next morning early before brekkie and had a long dip in the warm waters before we packed up and went 3kms up the road to another - This time it was called Bitter Springs.  Similar to the Mataranka Pool but this one is a big stream, lots of foliage and water lillies in the water.   It was very deep and I didnt venture away from the ladder leading down into the stream.   It was a really nice spot.    We were going to do a couple of walks from there but decided we had better hit the road, go 60kms up to the next free camp, just out of Katherine.  That way we would only have a short 50km the next day to get to Katherine and our Big 4 Caravan Park.  Here for a couple of days.  Posting pics next blog, hopefully.