After such a great day out on the Lake we had to return to our vans, it was then we all decided we needed to pack up next morning and move being cramped in like this was just shit. It was our shortest move yet about 3km up the road! On our way in we had seen people free camping so we headed there, at that time of the morning most had left so there was plenty of room. Had we realised how packed the campsite was we would have parked here in the first place. So now with lovely scenery about us and plenty of space we settled in for a nice relaxing day. Michelle read her book and I did some craft with Emma, Trevor relaxed after the full day yesterday as did Jock. In the evening the fire was lit and we discussed the next days movements, we are now heading for Darwin. The fire was a bit special tonight because we had, without realising, found wood that was sandlewood, god it smelt great.
Our move the next day took us to Victoria River Roadhouse via Timber Creek this meant we left Western Australia today which is very sad it really has left an impression on me it is absolutely beautiful. We headed to the roadhouse as it was the last game for the state of origin that night and Jock and Trevor fancied watching the game. As it was it was a great idea, Michelle and I spent our night people watching, me more so. I was fascinated with the local characters. In walks this very tall, very old man obviously a farmer, he had an eye patch but that was not the first thing to take my attention it was his very high hat! I could not stop staring, he had spurs on his boots and then someone else came in behind him, good jeans and a white shirt and of course the hat! Turns out this man in jeans is the biggest property owner in the area and is a squillion heir. Jackaroos then followed, one very young one that made me feel very old, he looked like he should still be at school. An aboriginal Jackeroo who looked very smart not sure he had been out mustering that day. Then there was this bloke sitting on a stool, obviously a local, he was our entertainment for the night. He was shouting at the screen and really got into the game coming out with some really funny comments. Apparently he is usually very blue with his language because he was asked why he was so toned down with his language and he told his friends that there were ladies and a child present so not appropriate which was very considerate of him. I have to say, I do wonder how funny he could have been with the bad language. NSW won so we were not impressed.
Monbullo Homestead near Katherine was to be a two day stop for us, two days of driving was enough and Michelle and Emma wanted to go on a trip to see Katherine Gorge. The rest of us didn’t go because we had been before. We all went to coffee club in the afternoon for a coffee before we went shopping to replace our supplies.
Next stop Harriet Creek as soon as we were set up Michelle made us scones in the weber and very nice they were too. God we do it tough! Our plans for the next day were that Jock and I would stay with the vans and dogs whilst Michelle and Trevor went for a drive around the Kakadu National park. Jock and I have been before and were not worried about going again, from memory it is a beautiful place, from stories on Michelle and Trevor return it is very run down and nothing like we remember so just as well we did not go, we would rather remember it as it was.

Our next stop was Darwin, well near Darwin at Trevor’s relations house in Noonamah. We were to stay here for two weeks as Michelle and Trevor had to fly back to Brisbane for Jim’s wedding. Adelaide River was our stop en-route just a quick coffee and lunch, I spotted the pioneer cemetery and had to go for a look see. If only these graves could talk I would love to hear all the stories from way back then.

















































































































































