On Thursday morning 15 May we left Katherine. The guy talking to Arnold is Dave. He and his family had come in the night before and were parked across from us. What a shame we were leaving as they arrived. It would have been good to sit a while and chat. We had met them (wife Natalie and twin boys 8 years old) in Croydon and again at a freecamp coming into Mt Isa. They have been on the road for 9 months.
As we drove down the highway we noticed that the speed limit on the majority of the Stuart is 130 kph. The young people who visit Australia buy small cars and go wizzing passed at this speed. Is it any wonder that there are always mishaps on the highway.
This section of the Stuart is being widened. With the amount of traffic using the road they will eventually have double lanes all the way.
We had decided to go to Darwin via Kakadu so after visiting Pine Creek we turned off the Stuart and onto the Kakadu Highway. We were going to stop at a freecamp about 26 k's along.
We arrived at the turnoff to the camp and had to drive about 500m off the main road. The photo below is the track in.
We set up camp and then went to talk to the only other couple already there. They told us that they had been there a few days waiting for the attractions to open up as they had been closed due to flooding in the wet season. We asked them to come over for happy hour which they did.
I spotted this flower and thought it interesting so had to take a photo of it. I was told it was called a Rosella and that some women make jam from them.
Later that evening I walked around with my camera and took some twilight shots.
To the left of the picture below is the couple (Beryl & Tony) that were already there and to the right is us. You can also see a tent behind Beryl and Tony's caravan. There were also a few other vans and cars there that night.
There was a full moon so of course I had to get the tripod out and set the camera up using a large aperture and a timer. I think the shots came out ok.
There are always lots of birds in the Top End and I love them. Below are just a few of the ones we have seen.
Zebra Finches
Pied Butcherbird
Rainbow Lorikeets
Red Winged Parrot
The following night a little car drove in to the freecamp and a French couple got out. I spoke to them for a little while (they spoke some English) and as I had just made an apple pie took them over a piece each. I also scooped some icecream on the plate. They were very grateful. Maureen gave them some special fried rice she had made. They came over to thank us and they also asked to have some photos taken with us. It was their 5th Wedding Anniversary so I was very happy we were able to make it special.
Mary & Silva
Silva wanted to have some photos of us all together so I put his camera on my tripod. He didn't know that his camera had a screw hole at the bottom so that it could be mounted on a tripod, large or small. He said he was going to buy one when he gets a chance. They were spending 4 months in Australia. So I set it up, put the timer on and had our pictures taken. I can't show you any because they are on his camera lol.
The following morning we left by 9.00am because workers wanted to come in to slash the grass. They had called in the previous morning and asked if we could move our vans so they could get on with the job but then, after talking to us for a little while, suggested that if we could leave by 9.00am the following morning they would come back, even though it was Saturday.
We only had to drive about 23 k's to Pussycat Flats Campground. It is actually a race track that is not used very much anymore so they have put in electrical outlets so vans can hook up. You can't connect to water but you can fill your tanks, which is great. There is also a bar and restaurant area (if you can call it that lol) The good thing is that we could park on grass.
I put my lounge chair out and read for a while until I got too hot. When I went to get up the chair folded up around me. Arnold had to help me up.
We went for a walk and took some photos of one of the termite mounds. There were quite a few around.
Arnold is always wanting to do something different to make the shot interesting. This time was no exception.
There is also a banana tree growing so Arnold picked a banana and we proceeded to eat it.
When we got back to the van Maureen said we should take some pictures at the finish line of the track. Which we did.
Then I thought if we stand in a staggered line and pretend we are running it should make for a good shot.
But the one below is our most favourite. It looks like we are running but in actual fact we are posing. I had to set the camera up and then run and get into position. When we saw it we all laughed and laughed. We love it.
Arnold suggested I be jockey and get on his back. It's not that easy to jump up and hold on. Arnold was trying to hoist me up higher but I couldn't go up any further because I was laughing too much. I don't think Arnold could hold me up much longer.
After that bit of frivolity we went to the bar and had a drink. We needed it. You wouldn't believe it but the guy in the green singlet is from Colac and knew of people Arnold knew (Ray Weedon).
All in all it was a good day. We will stay here another day and then move on to Douglas Hot Springs. So until next time ...... Goodnight.
(PS If you want to Comment try clicking on the word which should take you to a comment box. Then there should be a small down arrow. Click on that and choose one of the options. Hope it works. I suppose I will know if it doesn't).
