28/8/09 – For those that don’t know it - we’re home.   Mixed feelings about this.  It was a fantastic, awesome trip and the first of many we’re sure, but it is also fantastic to be home.   We have traveled the last 3 months looking for quiet places to camp with a good outlook and feel to them – we realize we have it at home.  That’s not to say we won’t be off traveling again in the not to distant future though.  Just so long as we have this to come home to and all our fabulous friends and family too – you were all missed and we are really looking forward to catching up with you all soon.

23/8/09 – 25/8/09 - We had a couple of nice stops before arriving at Carnarvon Gorge.  Decided to stay for one night so we headed up the Gorge this arvo and did a 14 klm walk.  It was an easy walk but hot and we were glad to get back to the car.  It was another place where the eye saw more than the camera and it was difficult to photograph so we just enjoyed the walk.

Only 1 day left so this will be our last blog.   Well we may do 1 more when we get back!!

17/8/09 – So, 10 days left and we’re headed home!!!  Off to see Daly Waters then turning onto the Carpentaria/Savannah Hwy.  We’re planning to stop somewhere quite and hopefully free tonight, then onto Lawn Hill for a couple of days. 

 

We did a pit stop at Daly Waters.  Life back home would not have been worth living (Peter and Kay) if we had not stopped there.  It was an interesting place but we were rushing to make camp before dark.  Found a spot as dark rapidly approached.  I didn’t even have time to check for ants before the tarp was down and the tent up – 10 mins and beer in hand!!!

 

18/8/09 – We weren’t expecting the Carpentaria/Savannah Hwy to be so interesting.  It was every bit as enjoyable as the Gibb River Road with water crossings, sand and corrugations.  It was still dusty of course.  We stopped for the night at the Robinson River rest area which reminded us of the stop at the Pentacost River – very quiet and we were on our own, fantastic.

 

19/8/09 – Up and off early not sure what the road would bring.  WE GOT AIRBORNE!!!  Seriously, we hit a dip going round a bend, got airborne, flew across the other side of the road but thankfully stayed upright.  I was working on the computer at the time and that nearly hit the roof.  We were really lucky not to flip the car – if I had been driving I wouldn’t have known not to put my foot on the brakes.   Steve reckons if he had then the wheels would have dug in and we would have been rolling!  Some poor bugger previous to us didn’t do so well.  He hit the dip and landed so hard his bull bar hit his tyres, shredded them and fell off.  He was seriously ‘unhappy’.  We were lucky we missed him too.

 

We carried on and drove through the Queensland Border, past Heart Break Hotel and Hells Gate Roadhouse.  We saw a wild boar – a big one, and then a baby one.  That was really special.  We crossed our deepest river yet as we were driving in the Lawn Hill Nat Park – about 900 ml and flowing quite fast.  As usual we had the windows down going oooo and ahhhh.  It was a long day and we made Lawn Hill just as dark was approaching (again) and put the tent up. 

 

20/8/09 – Had a nice quiet night and a good sleep.  Went for a good walk to some waterfalls – did a Gorge walk, had a swim and ‘bimbled’ along the rivers edge.  Staying another night then off to Riversleigh – we are going to look at the Montypythonoids.  Steve promises me he’s not joking but I think he’s thinking of a Monty Python sketch.  I’ll fnd out tomorrow.  Oh - I have to mention that Steve had his last glass of home brew last night and is now wearing a big baggy lip.   Only 7 days left now.

 

Some STUPID BLOODY HAPPY CAMPER too near to us, thinks the whole camp site wants to listen to his BLOODY Country and Western music.  Not happy Jan!!!

 

21/8/09 – Visited the Riversleigh World Heritage Site, fantastic fossils.  It was interesting and we were glad we went.  Then drove to Gregory Downs with the intention of staying the night but we just drove on through!  Camped up by the Leichhardt River where we say an Emu and her chicks – fantastic.  Nice spot. 

 

22/8/09 – Long drive to Burke and Wills Roadhouse and then on to Julia Creek.  The town was closed all but the fuel station but the steak sannies were very tasty.  Now heading down to Kynuna (towards Winton).  The last dusty road we think – YEAH!!!  Planning to drive to Carnarvon Gorge for a couple of nights before we get home.

 

 

 

12/8/09 – It was a hard day today.  We started the off with some quiet time by the billabong – Steve with the computer and me on the roof again with the camera.  Had lunch and then drove down the dirt road to a couple of other billabongs looking for crocs – from the safety of the car.  We found some – oh no, the wrong kind.  Someone had left their ‘crocs’ by the waters edge and then Steve shouted CROC!  Yep a real one just heading off into deeper water.  We are feeling far more respectful of our environment today.  We’re also wondering where the wearer of the ‘crocs’ is!!!!! 

 

Got the shower out this evening – nice warm water.  Having dinner by the fire again trying to decide where to go tomorrow.

 

13/8/09 – Decided to go straight to Jim Jim and Twin Falls.  We took the 4wd track to Jim Jim Falls in the late afternoon.  It was a little bit disappointing to find there was no ‘falls’ but it was still a lovely place.   We looked for crocs as always and Steve spotted one – or did he!  I was doubtful but trusting and he said ‘you can see his eye’ – I clicked away with the camera but eventually realized it was a log – check out the photo.  DER!!  Stayed and walked up to the top of Twin Falls on the 14^th – WOW better than Jim Jim we thought.  Top spot and we are really glad we did the walk.  Also took a boat trip across to the bottom of the falls which was fantastic

 

15/8/09 – After 6 nights in Kakadu we drove to Edith Falls to see what that was like.  Well worth the visit – spent two nights here and loved it.  We swam and walked and took photos and it was lovely.

 

17/8/09 – So, 10 days left and we’re headed home!!!  Off to see Daly Waters then turning onto the Carpenteria Hwy.  We’re planning to stop somewhere quite and hopefully free tonight, then onto Lawn Hill for a couple of days.

10/8/09 –  Adrienne spoilt us last night and cooked us a lovely meal served with champagne – wonderful. 

 

The three of us did a walk in the morning around the famous rock art at Nourlangie.  It was really good.  I know it’s ‘progress’ but I’m saddened by the thought of the Aboriginal people having their simple life taken from them.  Anyway, we then did a rather hot and tiring 6 klm walk (round trip) to a small rock pool.  Steve and I were still feeling weak from our colds so Adrienne stormed ahead.  It was a pleasant stop and thankfully not so exhausting on the way back.

 

Adrienne headed to Darwin (together with all our knives) for her last few days before catching her flight back on Thursday, and we headed for Jabiru.

 

11/8/09 – We decided to find a place called Red Lilly Billabong back on the Arnhem Highway.  It has turned out to be a first class find – nothing here but us in a fabulously quiet spot from absolutely everything.  23 klms up a dirt road and about 60 klms from Jabiru.  You can imagine our surprise when the phone rang – we had full reception – life is wonderful.  We’ve set up our campsite about 250 metres away from the billabong – too many potential Crocs!!  Steve drove the car to the waters edge and we both sat on the roof rack taking pictures.  Eat your heart out!!! 

 

3/8/09 – 7/8/09 – OK, where did we get too!  Sunday, Steve and I headed off into Litchfield Park – Buley Falls.  Much quieter than when Ad and I were there.  That was good as we had a photo shoot booked for the Tuesday morning and we needed to check that it would be quiet.  Had a great time, photo shoot went well, girlies didn’t stop laughing for a whole hour.  Photos will go up on our ‘other’ website later. 

 

We left Litchfield Park and stayed at a quiet spot called Tumbling Waters – nice.  Then into Darwin.  We found a camp site and met back up with Adrienne.  She had had a great time on the houseboat and was very excited knowing she was picking up her camper van the next day.  Steve and I went to the Deck Chair cinema (outdoors).  Unfortunately they were showing a violent Italian film – about gang wars – but it had to be done so we ‘enjoyed’ the experience. 

 

Thursday we ventured into Darwin and caught the ferry to Mandara.  Not a lot there – we went for a swim in the pool (not the sea- CROCS!!) that was it – then we got the ferry back.  Went to Mindil markets – pleasant evening.

 

Friday, Steve suddenly realizes he has lost the camera!  He left it in the car park at the markets.  My head was placed firmly in my hands with disbelief but –  s‘it’ happens!  After a few frantic phone calls and reports to the insurance co of it’s loss we get a call to say it has been handed in.  Phew – very lucky and very happy.  The camera is insured and there were moments of – ah, a new camera, but we are happy to have it back.  Oh, and we hadn’t realized at the time but all the photos from the nude photo shoot were still in the camera!!!

 

Now – today, we are at Dundee Beach – there is nothing here but peace and quiet.  We have cooked our dinner on the open fire again, we are happy.  Did I say it was QUIET!  YEAH!!  Adrienne has gone into Kakadu today.  We may catch up with her again before she catches her flight back to the Gold Coast on Thursday – we may not.  Whatever, it has been great having her around and we are very happy she came.

 

Steve has taken a few sunset photos from the Deckchair Cinema, Mindil Markets and Dundee Beach.  We hope you like them.

 

8/8/09 – Drove into Kakadu today – seems like we have been talking about Kakadu or Kakadon’t for such a long time.  Spent the night at the Point Stewart Lodge in Mary River Nat Park.  Nice and quiet.  Had a walk and a swim. 

 

9/8/09 – Took the Old Jim Jim Road this morning to catch up with Adrienne.  We saw one car in 2 hours of driving.   Pleasant drive.  Arrived at the campsite hot and sticky.  It is definitely hotter and more humid now – it changed really quickly about a week ago. 

 

Steve and I are still recovering from colds and coughs and have no energy to do anything.   Hopefully tomorrow we will feel up to doing a walk..

 

 

24/7/09 – Adrienne and I drove to Adelaide River.  There was less than Batchelor!  We took touristy photos of the river and cemetery.  We were rather amused to see a loan young man exit the Greyhound bus and just stand there with a complete look of disbelief on his face – you could hear his brain saying ‘what have I done, there’s nothing here’!!  Too late, the bus has gone.   We found the local swimming pool (yes it has one of those here) and had a lovely refreshing swim.

 

25/7/09 – Headed off to Darwin and Parap Markets today.  We were excited!  For some reason the GPS didn’t want us to get there though and had us doing left, left, left turns until we were dizzy and giggling beyond help!  Eventually found the market and Adrienne was in her glory – Asian food everywhere – she had some for breakfast.  Went in search of the swimming area by which time I was starving, (not wanting an Asian breakfast).  It wasn’t until we were headed back home that I remembered we had the truck, with fridge and boxes full of food – you wonder about yourself sometimes don’t you.

 

I had better mention Steve or you’ll think I’ve lost him.  He started jumping today and much to his (and my) relief, everything had turned up so his was a happy bunny.

26/7/09 – We (Ad and me) drove into the Litchfield National Park, to Wangi Falls.  It was fantastic.  Adrienne had decided to take the tent and stay there for a couple of days so we found her a good spot and headed to the falls.  We had a lovely day.  We swam, took photos, relaxed and went for a walk.  It was a really perfect place for her to stay with a kiosk just 100 metres from the tent with hot food and drinks!  I left her smiling and headed back to camp.

 

27/7/09 – Off to try and get the wheels rotated today and to play catch up on some ‘stuff’ – like the blog!  Steve is on his first lift and it’s a fabulous day again.

 

28/7/09 – 2/8/09 – Chilled, bit of shopping, watched the skydiving.  Did a trip to see the jumping crocs.  Two more waterfalls with Adrienne in Litchfield Park.

 

Steve’s footage from the skydiving was on ABC – did you see it!!!  He’s had a great week and got some NICE pix.

 

Today we’re packing up and heading into Litchfield Park – Steve hasn’t seen it yet.  Adrienne has gone off for a few days with some skydivers on a Houseboat up the Mary River.  She is soooooooooo chilled now and having a great time.  We will catch up with her on Wednesday and do more ‘stuff’ then.