Day 38

Janette arrived safely in Sydney at 6.30am and found that her mum was on the improve.

We moved the bus down to the mangos and reattached the sprinkler heads to 8 rows of mango. Learnt lots of info about mangos the are grafted stock and out of a flower head of thousands of buds you only get two mangos that actually set. For them to start the process they have to be watered at exactly the right time.

After all that work we went to the Katherine Museum which was very good and saw a great DVD about the flood that Katherine had in 1998. Once again off to the hot springs to cool off. It was full of Grey Nomads.

Day 37

I went to work at 7.30 with Janette, found out that her mum has been moved to intensive care. So she is going to fly out tonight and we will take the girls to Darwin on Friday and put them on the plane to Sydney.

While I was working Gerald helped the girls with removing the sprinkler heads from the mange trees and cleaning them.

Had takeaways for tea and the girls had friends sleep over.

Day 36 Monday 22 June 2009

Up early this morning and I went to work with Janette and helped her with a bit of work. We picked up the girls and went back to the farm. Janette went back to work and we plus the girls went out to Katherine Gorge, it was very hot so we then went to the Hot Springs for a swim...lovely

Day 35

After a very late night Geoff had to go to work and the girls had a sleepover so Janette took them and then went to work herself. Her mum is in hospital in Sydney and she and the girls are flying down on Friday, so she had some work to catch up on.

We had a quiet day in the bus.

Day 34

Cancelled our second night at Low Level and moved out to the Crowhursts. They live on 45 acres and have a Mango farm. We met their two daughters Emma almost 13 and Cloe 11 plus the three dogs Zoot, Lulu and Holly would you believe. Holly absolutely loves Gerald.

We toured the farm and learnt a bit about mangos.

Day 33

Left Mataranka and headed to the Cutter Cutter Caves but unfortunately the tour had left 10 min before we arrived and we decided not to waqit 50 min for the next one, we will do it next year.

Called in at Janette and Geoff's business Crowhurst Engineering in Katherine and found out where they lived its about 18km out and on the same road as the caravan park we have booked for the night. We filled up with gas and visited the Wollies shopping centre. Brought a light for under the awning so we can see our food at night, its also rechargeable so it can be used anywhere.

Spent the night at the Low Level Caravan Park.

Day 32

My word the park cleared out quickly and then the influx came in. We had a good time just people watching.

Both went for a swim today, then over to look at the replica of the Homestead they built for the film.

Just a relaxing day catching up with the blog and emails. The peahens and peacocks just wander round the their call is like a honking noise.

Got a message from the Bridport Resort with a pic of Skitz (the cat) very much at home...Thanks Jenny

Day 31

I went and had a swim this morning Gerald just watched. At 12 noon they screen We of the Never Never every day as the film based Jeanie Gunns book was filmed here. We ended up having a pie and chips and a bowl of chips there.

Later in the afternoon we went for a drive down John Hauser Drive to look at the Roper River and there are some lovely camping areas there its a National Park so there is a nominal fee

Day 30

Watched the Barra being fed. Moved on to the Mataranka Springs Resort Park and booked for two night.

Put out our ground cover and our awing this is the first time we have really set up. Only problem there is no TV. Had our tea on the BBQ and had two guests, two very friendly kangaroo.

Day 29 Monday 15th June

Talked to a few Tasmanians this morning and took some pics of the Daly Waters Pub. Gerald said that my Dad brought him a T shirt from there, now that must have been 30 years ago, and I don't think anything has changed. But well worth a visit and staying the night, its a must see.

On to the Daly Waters Aviation Complex, very interesting, it was a refuelling point for overseas flights. Did the obligatory stop at Fran's Pies got two strudel's and cream and two pieces of walnut cake to go. Parked across the road and had our own Vanilla Latte with the strudel.

Were going to stay at Bitter Springs but the park was booked out and the springs were very disappointing. That was what I was looking forward to most :( so we booked into the Territory Manor Park got the last site. Then we went out to the Mataranka Pools they were great and both Gerald and I lazed in the water.

Day 28

We were going to call in at Daly Waters Pub and have a look but because of what we heard last night we decided to go there and spend the night. Arrived about midday and booked in $20 for two with power and sat there and watch all the vans come in it was a continuous stream. Its Beef and Barra night tonight so we booked in $55, but this is the first time we have eaten out so far. So we had a couple of drinks $19.70 two beers and two Scotch and Coke in "Handles". also had a Breschetta $8.50 for lunch. Back to the bus to do the washing and watching the football Hawthorn and The Lions in Tassie.

Well we had our Barra and Beef the food was probably a bit pricey but the entertainment was good. And there was another menu that you could have had.

Day 27

Ran out of cooking gas in one bottle lucky we have two so had to get some this morning $38 not too bad.

Went and looked at the Battery Hill Mining Centre, very interesting. Part of it was told in pictures by a young boy Kevan. Moved on to Renner Springs for toasted sangers and a cup of tea in the bus. Saw lots of dead cows on the road and lots of skid marks.

Topped up with LPG at Elliott dearest so far 104.5 per lt. Pulled up at Newcastle Waters a free camp. Now this is how its suppose to be met lots of people some who had been in the same place as us for the last few night, but we sat round the fire and learnt of good places to see and camp.

Day 26

Left our overnight camp with thick trackies spencer and Ugg boots on got to the Devils Marbles and it was into the shorts T shirt and Scholls. Looked at the camp at the Marbles but decided to move on to Tennant Creek to the Outback Caravan Park the dearest yet but very nice. Saw a dead horse on the road and ofcouse there was another car coming the other way.

We filled up at Tennant Creek I had found a voucher on some advertising for the place and got 4c a litre off.

The little green men are at Wauchope the UFO capital of Aust.

Day 25

Left at 10.10am and found out we had a backing beep first time we had heard it. Filled up with gas at the Coles Express, thanks for the voucher Vicki.

Once out of Alice the scenery became very flat once again but there seems to be a lot of termite mounds. Saw two giant Desert Hawks on the only piece of road kill we have seen in the NT.

Called in to the Aileron Roadhouse to see the Giant Anmatjere Man and woman, I hope I can upload the pics. There was a Tassie car and caravan pulling out just as we were stopping.

On to the Central Mount Stuart rest area the mathematical heart of Australia. We had lunch and ended up staying the night. Good TV. Two other Tassie motorhomes there too.

Jake and Jack loaded the CD stacker before we left home but we have heard them that many times. Just realised I can plug in my MP3 player and Dena loaded that up at Christmas with music.

Day 24

Today we did the tourist thing and as Vicki had the day off we went and had a look at the Alice Springs Casino, very nice I lost my $5 and Gerald lost his $1, last of the big spenders. Before that we had met Lyndon at Yepperinga Shopping Centre form lunch. Then we stocked up on food.

Geralds turn to cook tea...you guessed it yummy Fried Rice. Early to bed tonight Kathryn has to be up at 4am to go on her school trip up to Darwin for eight night, so we said our goodbyes.

It was lovely to catch up and its scarry just how alike Gerald and Lyndon are in habits and interest. Merilyn won't recognise her daughter-in-law or her granddaughter.

Day 23

Left at 7.50am and drove to the Western Diesel where they are looking at the suspension on the bus, they didn't know how long it would take so the brought us back to Lyndon's wasn't that nice of them.

Well the bus is back and there is nothing wrong with the shockers of suspension. Its the tyres and of course there are none our special size in Alice or even the Territory but there are 25 in Melbourne so Beaurepairs are going to arrange to have two in Darwin when we get there in a couple of weeks. Gerald is happy with that as he now knows what the problem is.

Well its been three weeks and we have survived, looking forward to next part of our journey.

Day 22

End of the Fink River Race today Gerald didn't get up and go but Lyndon and his neighbour went and managed to get right at the finish line.

Vicki, Kathryn and I went shopping. Even though it was a long weekend there were still a lot of shops open.

Just a veg out day. We have to be up early tomorrow to take the bus to be looked at. Pic of Kathryn with her new hair cut

Day 21

Did the tourist thing today. Went out to the Old Ghan and Truck Museums. Excellent could have spent heaps more time there. Gerald says the truck museum was mind boggling and extensive. What we did see was the largest fifth wheeler come transport trailer it was on the back of a Kenworth truck. The accommodation part had two slideouts.

I haven't been able to add any pics because I had lost my camera. I did think I may have left it in the little plane, so when I got service on the phone I rang and they did have it and are sending it to me

Day 20

Walked down to the Gorge and took some pics. It really was a nice place, well worth a visit. Left there at 11.15am and went on to Glen Helen, glad we didn't go there to stay they were having the 39th Top Half Folk Festival. That would be ok if you were into that sort of thing, but not us.

Back to Alice in the late afternoon, topped up with milk and cheese.

Day 19

How wrong can you be. Its freezing even got the coat on over the jumper. Overcast not going to go anywhere today. Poured with rain, caught 6lt in a coke bottle and funnel and topped up the water supply just to have something to do. Moved the bus over a bit there has been an influx of people trying to escape Alice because of the Fink River Races.

Had an interesting day sitting under the awing watching people arrive and set up. One guy arrived at seven o'clock and woke us backing in next door.

I had tea in the Dream Pot, so had that and watch some TV

Day 18

Gerald is concerned about the steering shaking so much, so while I had my nails filled, he drove round about five different places finally got the bus booked in for Tuesday 8 am. Long weekend here and the Fink River Races are on So the locals says its bound to rain.

We went out to Stanley Chasm, I made lunch and Gerald went to pay but the "traditional owners" were too busy leaning up against the till and checking their nails he and several other couples walked off. It was a nice walk only 15 min up to the chasm bit rough in places, pity they didn't have natural seats like when you walk up to look at Wineglass Bay in Tassie. I think that we were there at the wrong time, the care park was full when we arrived but almost empty when we got back.

We were going to Glen Helen for the night but we called into Ormistone Gorge and it was lovely and we had a nice spot to park so we stayed there $13.20.

Nice day. Tomorrow we may have to get our summer clothes from under the bed

Day 17

Bad day for Gerald all that squatting to read yesterday, even my hips were sore this morning. Vicki's day off and she already had tea cooking don't you love being spoilt. Anyway we went to a shopping centre and I was able to take my phone just five months old into Telstra it had just died the Saturday morning before we left. I got some groceries because we are going west to the Macdonnell Ranges for a few days. Went into Millers had to get some more warm clothes. Early night.

Day 16

Don't you just hate it had this day all entered but the comp had a fit and I lost it all so now I will have to try and remember what I wrote.

Left Stuarts Well at about 10 am, not cold but still overcast. Arrived at Alice Springs and check out where Lyndon (our nephew) and Vicki lived. Then did a lap of the town and ended up at the Cultural Prescient. Visited the Strethlow Project and then the plane museum. I left Gerald there and went to the bus and made lunch. Went and looked at the Aboriginal art which was good but the plaques explaining it all were so low you had to squat to read then, not good on old hips. On to Vicki and Lyndons for the night where Vicki had kindly cooked tea for us.

Day 15

Left Marla at 10am and drove on to Kulgera where we filled with LPG $1.00 per lt the most expensive so far ULP was $1.67.

It has been drizzle all day and a lady at Kulgera told us that its been like it for five days and didn't advise using any gravel roads so we gave Kings Canyon a miss. We thought we would have the night at Fink River, but when we got there there were already three vans in there so we moved on to Stuarts Well. $25 per night but we wanted the power to keep us warm and watch so DVD's.

Day 14

We took a tour of Coober Pedy, it was very interesting. Had a go at 'noodling' for opals, didn't find anything, so no fortune made. We saw the golf course 18 holes, no grass, gravel fairways and oiled greens. Then looked at all the holes around, they are only about a metre in diameter down to the opal level and then at that level they can spread out like a spiders web. Then we went underground and experienced what it was like in the early days and then into a modern underground home. Our guide was very talkative and had been an opal miner for about 50 years he was 73.

I got two fly/mosquito nets and my own Coober Pedy stubby holder

We left the park about 12 then did a dump and filled with water, very good water, 60cents for 90lt. Then filled with LPG 84.9c per litre.

Being Sunday the road wasn't very busy so I suppose that's why it was decided to transport two huge mine trucks on low loaders, they were that wide we had to pull of the road. I couldn't find my camera so no pic. We did see some cows on the side of the road first ones we have seen but there have been lots of warnings about stock in three languages.

Its been so cold we decided to get a powered site so we could have our fan heater (thanks Auntie Kath) going.

Day 13

It was overcast and we had to fly round a rain storm in order to get to Lake Eyre North. I was the co-pilot. I know I saw something that I will never see again and some people may never see, water in Lake Eyre, but I wasn't that impressed. Only saw a couple of pelicans no horses,camels,kangaroos or anything. We fly into William Creek and had a drink...Latte $5. It was a very cold day the pilot had to use the heater in the plane, a Cessna. Gerald still isn't that well and had the day resting. I don't think he could have managed to get into the plane anyway