Lake Argyle by Toby

This morning we were all excited because we were going on an afternoon cruise on Lake Argyle. We headed towards the boat ramp on the bus, we stopped a few times to be told information, like when they did the coyote blast which is one of the biggest explosions in Australian history and that Lake Argyle can hold 21 Sydney harbours. When we got there the boat was waiting for us. We were the second family to go on the boat.

We saw lots of fresh water crocodiles and you were allowed to stand up the whole time. Samuel, Lachlan and I all had a turn at driving the boat. Later on we got to feed the fish and there were drinks and nibblies for us to eat. We saw a baby crocodile that was only about 15cm. We saw Euros on an island and they all had names, their names were Bob, Jack, Jimmy and Bec. Later on, on the way back we stopped in the middle of the Lake and swam and watched the sun set. I was the first one to jump into the water, it was nice and warm, it was really deep and I was the first one to jump off the roof of the boat!!! It was absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lachlan’s Birthday by Lachlan

On my birthday I opened my presents in the morning. I got lego, aerobie pro, uno and some money. Then we went for a walk.  There were some birds and we climbed rocks.

After lunch we had caramel cake with candles and lemonade. It was hot, hot HOT! on my birthday. 

The day after my birthday we saw a dingo in the morning. He was howling.

Zebra Rock Mine and Keep River NP

Only short drive west for a one night stay at Zebra Rock Mine. A little off the main track but a nice campsite.  The  boys picked up some more rocks for us to bring home. Not sure how we will carry them all!!  This is the only location in the world you can find Zebra Rock..so they say. Anyway, it was a nice overnight and only a short 30km to our next camp at Keep River National Park. Now I’m feeling like the grey nomads, pulling up at midday. Found a shady site which we needed as the day’s were really hot, up to 35 one day. In the middle of the camping area was a large rock formation which was used extensively as a climbing wall. (until Toby fell on the last day) Did both the walks here, leaving very early for the 8k as it was 35 again. So sat around camp in the afternoon. We seem to have many groups come over and talk to us, not sure if it’s the smell of hot bread Susan’s just baked, me strolling around without my shirt off, or the boy’s sitting quietly doing their homework. On the baking. We celebrated Lachlans 7^th Birthday with a freshly baked cake out of the camp oven  (getting quite proficient  now, only burnt 1 x bread and 1 x upside down cake) and a bottle of lemonade. What a treat. 

  

Victoria River and Gregory National Park

Finally made the turn to the west. We had a very easy day to the Victoria River and camped at the back of the roadhouse as we wanted an early start for two walks in the morning and the forecast was hot again. In the morning the boys a kick of the footy and they were joined by some Aboriginal boys from a visiting school on the way home from a sports day in Timber Creek. This was great o watch, the boys had a ball. When asked though, “dad they where really good”. We headed off for the walks. These where brilliant, particularly the one up Joe’s Creek.  We in the shade of the escarpment and the area was a mass of palms, ferns and panadanas. We camped the next two nights at the Bullita Campground 47km off the highway in Gregory NP.  I was very quiet there, only one other camper. Good facilities, shade, water and fire pits but very dry and dusty. The boy's got absolutely filthy playing in the dirt.  Locals are saying it was a dry wet season this year. Lots of bird life, had a good sighting of a White Bellied Sea Eagle that flew over morning and night. Took a trip to Limestone gorge. This was also good walk but a very hot day again and Susan and I suffered a little this afternoon. 

Augustus Gregory who explored the region in 1855 arrived on a ship named the Tom Tough. 

 view from the escarpment  walk

 joes creek walk

 limestone gorge

a turtle

Susan and Lachlan resting  after the walk

Katherine

Unfortunately we had to leave Edith Falls after only two nights and headed back to Katherine. Here we stayed a couple of nights with my cousin Holi Catton who works locally in health services. We have a great couple of day's there camped in Holi’s back yard. The boys did some classes on line which were much more successful than earlier. We also topped up the stores,  washed and sorted clothes. I had to do some small repairs - to the trailer, not the car! We also had a great swim at the hot pools. One thing we have noticed is the caravan travellers or grey nomads on the road. They are everywhere up here. It’s not unusual to see them pull into a park or stop at lunchtime. We often have them tell us about the next free stop just up the road.

Edith Falls - by Samuel

We camped at Edith Falls for a couple of nights. When we arrived we set up camp then went for a swim. the lake was full of fish and we spent most of our time trying to catch them. the next morning we set off to do a walk to Sweet Water pool. The water was cool and refreshing, we sat on the top of a small waterfall and climbed up and down it. dad lost his sandal down a larger waterfall and ended up having a swim. We walked to Long Hole and sat under a large water fall. The water was flowing over the falls so fast that it felt like a massage. Dad got up to get the tripod and encountered a Brown snake! The snake tried to escape up the waterfall but it slipped and was pushed straight towards us! I shot off  and Toby followed, Dad, Mum and Lachlan on the other hand were slowly swimming in the direction that the snake was being pushed. The snake slithered onto a ledge and Mum, Dad and Lachlan slowly swam to the shore. Dad kept a lookout while the rest of us put our shoes on.
"That was a close one everyone said." We walked to the upper pool and saw a water monitor on a small island. We did laps around it. Dad and I tried to swim into the waterfall but the current was to strong. We went back to the swimming lagoon and had our last swim in the cool water. Tomorrow we will go to Katherine.

our camp at Edit Falls

The waterfall where we swam with the brown snake

Upper pool at Edith Falls

Daly Waters and Mataranka

Decided to make a quick stop at Daly Waters. This area is quite well know for it's involvement in aviation as a refueling location  for bombers during WW11 and was also the location of Australia's first international airport. Turns out there is a really cool pub there as well!! Very busy with grey nomads so we camped in the overflow across the road. Was actually really nice and quite, but no fires. Bummer. Went for a beer at happy hour and listened to the resident entertainment. Quite good fun.  You will see the pub has a very rustic appearance  and is quite a popular stop off.
The boys had their first school lesson here which went well. Unfortunately the connection was not so good but they are also doing worksheets other days also.

Did you know NASA had Daly Waters airstrip marked as a possible emergency landing strip for the space shuttle

At Mataranka we camped at the 12 mile yards campground in Elsey National Park. This was a brilliant campground, shady, fire pits, toilets and solar showers.(thanks for the tip JD) Not many campers nearby so we pretty well had it to ourselves. The park is on the start of the Roper River and you can normally swim here but they where clearing it for crocs so we had to swim in the creek nearby (200m) which was really nice. Did the trip to Bitter Springs pool where you float down in the thermal stream, the boys had their noodles and goggles on. We did this 4 times and it was great, the boys loved it. On the way back we also did the Mataranka thermal pools which was also great.
From our camp we did a 8km return walk to the Mataranka waterfall, Lachlan set a good pace. Of course there was a billabong for a swim while we were there. Around camp there was lots's of animals, birds- inquisitive bowerbirds(see elaborate nest below complete with white shell decorations - evidently if the girl is not keen she trashs it?!! poor bloke), wallabies and of course a cane toad!!!
Enjoying camp life now, not having to pack up each day and having a coffee and relaxing in the morning.

Did you know 30.5million litres per day flow into the Roper River from Mataranka pools and the Roper River meets the sea 250km away at Roper Bar. Surly a croc cannot swim up this far?