The Long Drive, Daly Waters, Katherine, Darwin.

Sept 24

The camp site emptied early, people going on there travels, I was the last to leave as I was messing about under Plod while still cool. Two large coaches turned up at the pub with many young students rushing around like bees in a hive.

Ken and Dave were going to the Thermal pools in Mataranka there are two in Mataranka one either end of the town. I went to the Bitter Springs one which is not a patch on the Thermal one’s although I haven't been yet, I  heard all this on the grape vine. A smell of bats was present. A young couple I met previously  had bent their axle on the Savannah Way the same route as I had taken, travelling with two motor bikes and two canoes just the right kit to have, made me quite excited. Went to the Thermal pools and they said it smelt putrid.

Bitter Springs 

Sept. 25

I have met so many interesting people on my travels it is quite amazing. I was talking to a couple over a glass of beer from Israel who are marine scientists travelling around on a work permit just trying to better themselves.

On my way to Katherine to see Helen staying on a camp site for a day or two; she sent me the information on Bitter Springs. I called in at Manbulloo caravan site large shady trees so I decided to stay as it was Sunday and I am waiting to buy a battery charger. Helen invited me for dinner I was rather pleased as my fridge is empty. We talked a lot about this and that putting the world to rights. Helen is a full time traveller on the road and such a joy to be with.

 Helen in her motor van with a camp resident.

Manbulloo caravan site  

Manbulloo caravan site  

Sept. 26

Went in to Katherine to buy a battery charger no luck I will not go in to details but I walked out of the store. Those people that know me will undoubtedly understand. I then went to Repco really they were very helpful but did not have the charger that I wanted although they had one in Darwin that would do.  So I headed off to Darwin after I had a swim in the Hot Springs in Katherine met a lovely family at the springs. Downloaded my photos as I had good reception. If I  only have three bars on my mobile modem it will not work for photo’s only emails and phone. 

Hot Springs Kathrerine

Hot Springs Kathrerine

I headed off to Darwin, being in Plod I was too late, the shop was closed, so I camped the night in Repco’s car park, waiting for them to open in the morning at 8pm.

Sept. 27

 I went in to another store next door great they had the very one I wanted a 25A CTEX the price was $595 gosh I thought better think about it.  So I rang a firm that Laurie sent me, great no 15A which they recommend, they seemed very helpful so I popped around to see them, I brought a 25A CTEX for $400 and a length of wire and two clips what a saving. I fixed the charger up and I am now on my way to Litchfield National Park. I had a phone call from Laurie to see if I had managed to get sorted, I owe him a drink so I went in to Malak Caravan site to see him and I was promptly invited to have a swim in the pool with many friends of his.

You can see what a lovely pool it is.

Plod having a rest in for a service

I needed to sort a few jobs out, like change the Diff oil so I booked into the site for the night, a bit expensive but very clean and I would have my own ensuite with a concrete base to get under Plod.We all went out for dinner after happy hour.

Charles Darwin National Park

Darwin

That night I came up with a hundred and one sandfly bits what a nightmare, itch and itch, fortunately I brought some antihistamine tablets, but they make you sleepy not good for driving in to the hot out back.The weather is very hot and humid not good for bites. Pools and cold rooms are just what I need right now so I booked in here for a week at a special weekly rate.

Sept. 28

I changed my Diff oil one more job done.

A bit hectic what with swimming and talking I did not get my jobs done. Laurie also showed me around Darwin. Then In the evening we all went out for an excellent Chinese dinner the best I had ever had. 

Jan, Teana, Kate, Grant, Jim, Tom. 

Grant, Jim, Tom, Laurie

Sept. 29

I had sprung a very small leak on one of my water tanks so I removed it and made up a bracket to strength the fixing brackets and that took all day what with trying to cut metle without a vice and taking the tank to be welded. I was perspiring at a great rate of knots, and was ready for bed by 5pm. That was not possible, I was to go out to Mindil Beach Market, we set out our chairs on the lawn watching people mingle amongst the stalls and beach drinking and eating all sorts of different food from all around the world. The atmosphere was good.

Mindil Beach Market

Mindil Beach Market

Mindil Beach Market

Sept. 30

I put on my water tank cleaned up and then I was trying to remember what I had done in the last few days writing up my Blog.

The Long Drive. North of Tennant Creek to Daly Waters

Sept. 22

My plan to go up to Borroloola has changed, I need a new battery charger as my generator does not put in enough charge to keep me on site for a day which is not good with no fridge in this hot weather. I gave Laurie a ring to see if he knew the best place to buy a battery / charger a gentle man from Darwin that is in the CMCA who sent me many places to try which is a great help.

I really enjoyed this site and I met another great couple Robyn and Spouse again talking about good and bad sites over a glass of red. My last two photo’s of my night stop.

I got a few things sorted like tightening my U bolts and a nasty rattle on my gas hob.

 Camooweal Billabong on the Georgina River

 

 Camooweal Billabong on the Georgina River

A long day traveling as I wanted to get on.The scenery wasn't at all spectacular rather flat and not many trees. I reached the Northern Territory; at the border police cars were stopping vehicles, I was waved on, I think they were checking live stock.

The scenery was still uninteresting I stopped at Barkly Homestead Roadhouse to top up with fuel a very busy and thriving business restaurant, shop souvenirs.

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse 

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse 

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse 

I wanted to get to Attack Creek before night fall north of Tennant Creek. The scenery became a lot more interesting.  I reached my night stop just before dark had a shower cooked my dinner and then it was dark.

Attack Creek - My night stop

Sept 23

Early start today.  Stopped at Elliott for fuel not a place I would like to stay at. Laurie gave me a few place’s to visit on my way.  One was the Hi-Way Inn at Daly Waters just off of the Stuart Hwy. I had a beer and met a couple Libby and Ken again first time filling up with Diesel today. I stayed put at The Hi-Way Inn only $12 a night with power as Ken lent me his spare battery charger, no flat battery in the morning booked in for a meal of Barramumdi. This pub is getting very full up with caravans and travellers. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Hi-Way Inn at Daly Waters                                                                                                                     

Hi-Way Inn at Daly Waters

Ken Libby Dave and Tish

7p.m time to eat, I was introduced to Dave and Tish again, I first met them while refueling Plod. The meal was really good and the company even better.
In England North Devon on the road from Okehampton to Tavistock we have a Highway Man Inn run on the same sort of lines. Jack TurpiThe Notorious Highway Man, another Pub to visit when in England. Although rather on the quite side.

The Long Drive Maggleville, Leichhard Falls, Adels Grove, Riversleigh to Camooweal

Sept 17

Why do I listen to people, the two woman that I was talking to yesterday said that if you go via Leichhardt Falls it is lovely and the road is good, so I did go that way and I certainty did not think that going on the road from Normanton to Leichhardt Falls was worth the effort, the Falls were nice but lacking in water, and the supposedly camp site was non existent just a hole in the ground to put your rubbish in. I should have gone on my original plan on the Developmental Road all sealed. 

Savannah Way

Savannah Way

                                                                                          

On my way I smelt something getting rather hot, I stopped looked around Plod went in side gosh smoke under the seat. Quick as a flash I removed the seat smoke galore help water I am on fire. The charger unit had completely melted all the wires every last one, lucky me the battery was still in one piece only a small amount of burnt floor. I knew I should of renewed my charger unit. Help the fridge is not cold and I had just brought some great meat. Finally I got to my night spot and cleaned up Plod and then my self after using my generator to charge the internal battery.

 Leichhard Falls

                                                                                              

Sept 18

I am still making my way to Adels Grove as several people have told me that it is very beautifully paved camp sites only. We shall see if it is worth the trip or not one never know’s unless you have done it yourself, so which way shall I go toss a coin. I went on to Burketown as my older map said the roads were sealed and they were. I arrived in Burketown what a sleepy town still it was a Sunday, so I found out later. When I reach Gregory Downs I found a Diesel pump and a very good pull off, many caravans were parked up on a free site. Made a cup of tea and along came Terry desperate for a chat and wanted me to stay for breakfast. I declined the offer as I had still a long way to go. Photos of the site at Gregory Downs. 

 Down to Adels Grove the road was good for 75% of the way then for the last 25 km it was bad some times I went down to 15 mph other wise items would off disintegrated. 

I arrived at Adels Grove camp site and what a disappointment it was $16 a person the showers were not up to much but a clean water tap at hand was a good thing but no concrete base or power points, although the pitch was large. You could hire a canoe and paddle down the gorge to have a look. I was talking to another man John a well travelled caravaner from Bunderburg and he said exactly the same, not that brilliant. We both have seen much better places. The staff are extremely friendly and I cannot fault them at all.

Adels Grove 

 Adels Grove

                                                                                          
Sept. 19

Now I am making tracks to Lawn Hill Boodjamulla National Park only 12 km down the road but what a road 10 km per hour I did get up to 25 km but than that was driving on the verge. Arrived at the camp site not as good as Adels Grove but the Gorge was lovely. My main object is to canoe along the gorge. The canoe hire was $40 for two hours the operator reckoned you needed two hours, one hour up the Gorge and an hour back. I took some photo’s and paddled along and got back in three quarters of an hour so I got $25 back not bad for a "youngster!!!!". I showed him the photo’s of the water falls to prove it. He reckoned I was fit,  I am not really. The day was far too hot to do any walking and I am not a walker. If you like walking this place is well worth a visit. . Just bare in mind the roads at the moment are very bad especially in a campervan.

Leichhard Falls

 I drove  very steady towards Camooweal. I passed a World Heritage Fossil site. Than on to.  Riversleigh and across the Gregory and the O'Shanassy River Crossing’s. That was my excitement of this trip so far. Although the roads are diabolical I loved every minute of the day with a CD playing I was in heaven. My night stop is peaceful with no other people around so I have my generator running with a sort of air con unit to keep me cool. First time I have used it and it is great. Time for bed.

In The Fossil site

 Gregory River Crossing

                                             O'Shanassy River Crossing 

Sept. 20

Still more very rough roads to drive on 20 km but then you do see a lot more and I have plenty of time. The road sign’s amused me. I think what bend and what corner. 

                                                                               
 Still some mad men go at 80 km and wonder why they go off the road.

          Two men found a part that was going to be rather useful unable to buy it new.                                                               

 Only another 93 km to go despite the rough roads I enjoyed my days travelling. I suppose it would be like driving over a ploughed field or a cobbled road at 90 m.p.h. Everyone waves and likes a chat. I reached Camooweal a small sleepy town. Went to have a look at a free camping site and what a fantastic spot it is too. Parked up for the night got talking to a couple Ross and Yvonne that know many good sites.

My camp for the night or two

Ross and Yvonne

My view from Plod