Katherine - reminding us why we love the NT so much.

I had the worst night sleep and felt absolutely sick in the guts and terrible.  It dawned on me that I was obviously coming down with the gastro bug that the kids had.  Jason offered for us to stay more time at Lake Argyle so I could recover but at that stage I still just felt sick so I thought we should push on for as long as I could hold out so that we can continue on our way.

Packing up was slow because I couldn’t help too much or would have to lie down every now and then to give my poor stomach a rest.  I must admit that I was a little concerned about getting out of our site because of the two trees on either side at the front but we managed to get out easily and I am so glad that we have the walkie talkies to communicate with one another.  Even after a slow start we were still on the road by 8:30am so that wasn’t too bad at all.

The road out of Lake Argyle.

Only about half an hour down the road we crossed the border back into the Northern Territory and whilst my excitement wasn’t overly high due to my sickness we knew there were good things ahead of us, we just had to get the big drive to Katherine over and done with.  Our first stop was Timber Creek for fuel.  This seemed like a really slow process as the there was only one guy behind the counter who was serving the fuel side and the food so it took forever just to pay for the fuel.  By now I was feeling really crook just standing in line.  So we just parked off to the side and I had a little rest whilst Jason and the kids had some morning tea.

Just before we crossed over into the NT.

Then it was back on the road as around 100km away was another little service station and caravan park which Jason thought we could stay at for the night if I wasn’t feeling too well.  He also thought there might be a pool or something there so he could entertain the kids for me whilst I got a decent rest.  I wasn’t convinced and personally wanted to get as close to Katherine as possible.  Mainly because I was worried I could be worse the next day so lets get as far as I could before I was sick.

The drive between Timber Creek and Victoria River was really scenic, more so according to Jason.  I got glimpses of the view and river which was really pretty every now and then when I opened my eyes but I really wasn’t feeling well enough to appreciate it at all.  So when we pulled up in Victoria River I went straight back to the caravan whilst Jason took the kids to get some lunch.  Now I was sick but I did manage to get in a nap so felt better when I woke up.  Jason didn’t think it was worth the money to stay at the caravan park but was willing to stop for me.  Of course I said no, I would rather continue on to a free camp, and I had a particular one in mind as it meant we only would have 58km the next day.

Well we made it to the free camp and I can’t say I saw or did much there at all.  I wouldn’t have been surprised if people thought Jason was travelling on his own with the two kids.  I went straight to the van and tried to rest and get better.  The rest of my afternoon was just me feeling sorry for myself with my head in a bucket – just lovely.  I tell you what though, a caravan without its stabilisor legs moves a lot.  Normally this doesn’t really bother me, but with an upset tummy I felt every little movement.

Again I didn’t sleep well that night but the main thing was I kept all the water down and even managed to have a banana for breakfast.  Jason didn’t sleep well at all either as he woke up to strange noises (that is how sick I was –I couldn’t have cared less about strange noises) and then apparently the awning was flapping – again I didn’t notice.  Before long it was it was time to get back on the road and make that last little drive into Katherine.  I was feeling better but at the same time I knew not to push myself and eat too much as it would take my body a little bit to adjust back.

When we arrived at the caravan park in Katherine we were a little early and the ladies had rearranged the sites as someone had to extend a night as they weren’t well enough to travel.  So of course there had been a little mix up and they had us on a site that didn’t become available until the next day.  So probably best we did arrive early before someone else was put in our site.  Anyway after a few minutes it was all sorted out and again we were personally shown to our site and Jason was helped in to our site.  Talk about making me redundant of my job but hey all is good and it is a wonderful little service they offer as these guys have had a lot more years practice than me!  Also I do notice Jason listens to them more!

So once we were all set up we just chilled around the van for a bit as I felt I had pushed myself a bit.  Jason took the kids out for a drive to the Information Centre and shops whilst I just relaxed.  Although today I was trying not to sleep so that I get a good deep sleep at night.  By the time they got back I was feeling better again, but still not enough for a normal lunch, so I just ate some fruit whilst the rest of them enjoyed lunch.  Jason did some school with Hamish and then we all got dressed and made our way down to the hot springs which are only a 400m walk from the back of our caravan.  Hamish was a little concerned at first (and maybe I was also) as there was a crocodile warning sign!  Umm I thought it was safe to swim there.  We soon worked out they were talking about the river which was right there, so we were right as we had no intention of swimming in there.

The springs were perfect and I hopped in straight away.  They weren’t hot or anything, just the right temperature yet it still took a bit of convincing to get Kayla into the water, yet alone use her ring floatie.  Eventually we did manage to coax her into it and from then on she was having a blast swimming back and forth but still didn’t want to be too far out of reach.  We moved up to the top pool at one stage but didn’t stay there long as we couldn’t stand watching the local kids jump off the tree branch so high up and into the water.  Typical, I was more scared for them then they were!  When we did drag ourselves away it was hard but we just made the promise to the kids that we will come back each day as it is a pretty awesome spot.

Hamish enjoying the hot springs.

Finally we got Kayla in.

So many different spots to enjoy.

Walking back up the hill to the caravan park seemed to prove a bit harder as Kayla didn’t want to walk and was standing her ground and not moving.  We thought if we continued on we would call her bluff but no she was not moving.  So we just said the crocodiles will get her and that certainly got her moving pretty fast, albeit crying at the same time.  That was a cruel and nasty trick we played on her, but she did walk the rest of the way home!

Jason took the kids out looking for a playground whilst I rested some more but apparently there were no good ones around.  They were really looking for one with monkey bars so they could complete a school session.  Of well not to worry we just improvised with what we had around the caravan.  Then just as Jason was starting to cook dinner a little local fruit van rolled around.  I was so impressed with the size of the zucchinis he had that I just had to buy one, and I bought the smallest one as I didn’t think that the larger ones would fit in our fridge.  We also bought a small watermelon (just the perfect size for a caravan fridge!) and some frozen mango to enjoy.

The mobile fruit and veg shop.

Kayla showing off the zucchini and watermelon.

I tried to eat a normal meal, it was even lamb chops, but my tummy was obviously not ready for it so I went and lay down for a bit and let my stomach settle.  We just let the kids watch a movie whilst Jason tried to catch up on the blog and getting our photos onto the computer.  Then it was straight to bed for the kids and I forced myself to stay up a bit longer hoping to get a decent night sleep.  The planned worked and I had the best night sleep I have had in ages.

So feeling a lot better on Sunday morning we ventured out to the Information Centre to book in all the tours and experiences that we wanted to do.  We had a few so it took a while to lock them all in on the days we wanted but we left the centre feeling like we were all organised.  Then as the kids had been so patient waiting for us we headed to McDonalds to treat them to a few hash browns.  We also thought it would be a great little coffee break for us, but it seemed to take 15 minutes to make a few hash browns and then even longer for the coffee.  The treat kind of wore off by the time we got to sit down and eat it and the coffees ended up coming in the car with us.

We had decided to start our sightseeing with a visit to the local museum to learn about the local war and flood history.  It was a cool little museum with lots of good reads on local identities who had help shape the region, along with the bombings that took place.  It was actually the furtherest inland town to be bombed by the Japanese during the war.  They also had a short 25 minute documentary on the 2006 floods which was quite amazing to see, especially the resilience of the locals.  Apparently though the 1998 floods were higher which is harder to believe.

Kids checking out the old planes.

From there we headed back to the van for a quick bite and grab our togs and then we headed straight out to Edith Falls which was about an hours drive away.  We had at one stage thought about taking the van out there and staying the night but with school holidays and other things to see we decided to just do a day trip from Katherine instead.  Thankfully it was a short walk to the main swimming area so we went for a swim but it was a lot cooler than the Katherine Springs and Kayla was not the slightest bit interested in hopping in.  It even took me a while to get up the courage to hop in but we managed to get there easily.

Edith Falls.

Jason and Hamish enjoying a swim.

Jason had wanted to do the walk up to the top pools but I just looked at the hill and asked him if he was sure it was just a half hour walk.  So he went back to read the sign and it seemed a bit more difficult than he first expected so we opted to just leave it as we were satisfied with what we had done.  So we returned to the main picnic area and enjoyed an ice-cream whilst doing a school session with Hamish.  Then it was back in the car and into town.  Kayla of course had a sleep coming back in so was up late that night.

The swimming area at Edith Falls.

Mind you Jason suddenly found out that the Davis Cup just happens to be on in Darwin the same time we are there!  He claims it wasn’t deliberate but I am really starting to wonder about this.  Of course they don’t just sell day tickets, it is a three day ticket which I wasn’t ideally impressed about as we only have seven days in Darwin.  I have learnt though that if I want to get Jason involved in future planning our trip I just need to make up some story about a local tennis tournament as suddenly he was doing all this research and investigation as to what there is to do in Darwin.  Much to his dismay there is actually quite a lot so I think he was then looking at other areas he could cut off days but again he was coming to a dead end.  I just sat back and let him sort it out, only speaking up when I thought he was being a tad bit unrealistic. 

I am sure no doubt he will be buying the tickets and I will be making sure that I get some quality relaxation time in Singapore and a nice long spa treatment to make up for the cost of it all.  Either that or I could send the kids along to the tennis with him!  Now there is an idea!

Monday morning saw us get out of bed a bit faster than normal as since we have crossed into the NT the sun is getting up later (time wise) and we needed to leave by 8am to get to our Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge boat tour that departed at 9am.  We made it with time to spare which was good as we seemed a little harassed and left a few things in the car that Jason thankfully ran back to grab for us.  Before long we were boarding our boat for the two hour, two boat gorge cruise.

Enjoying the boat cruise.

Looking back down the way we came and the way we were about to head.

The first section of the gorge.

The cruise was so nice as you made your way up through the gorge and I couldn’t help but think back to the flood videos and how much water would have been coming down the river.  We passed quite a few fit and energetic people paddling their way up stream and couldn’t help but feel that would be a nice way to see the place up close.  For today though we were more than happy to sit back and wave as we went past.

The fit people paddling up the gorge.

Approaching where we had to get out and walk.

Enjoying a little break on the walk.

It was easy and pretty.

As the gorge has been divided up into six or so sections naturally with really shallow or rapid like areas, the boats can’t get through, so about a quarter of the way through our tour we had to disembark the first boat and walk along a path to the next boat that was waiting for us.  It was a great opportunity to get out and stretch the legs and see a different part of the gorge.  Even kayaks can’t get through.  Lucky for them it looked like there was another pile of kayaks on the other side, so at least they didn’t have to carry them through.

The next section of the gorge was a bit more narrow and the cliffs seemed to be getting higher.  Here we learnt about the cross section of mini gorges coming in and the dreamtime beliefs with the water.  We even got to see little waterfalls and ferns growing on the side of the cliffs where the water was filtering through.  Really it was a stunning little trip and just after the 1998 flood level was pointed out to us we pretty much had to turn around and make our way back down to the start.

Impressive cliffs.

Ferns growing on the side.

Getting in close to a little waterfall.

Once off the cruise we headed straight to the Information Centre to have some lunch and check out their little centre.   Lunch I can say was absolutely delicious and so reasonably priced really.  Jason and I shared a pumpkin and sunflower seed salad and a dish of barramundi bites.  We also managed to do some school before heading into their little display area.  One of the things I found quite interesting was the 3D display of what the entire gorge looked like and that is when I realised just how little of an area we had covered.  The other main one was a rock they had heated to show you how hot the cliffs and ground can get out there in the summer time. 

Walking back to the first boat.

The flood level came up just below the deck - they tied the boats to the deck.

Overall it is a really well run place and we had enjoyed our time there.  I think it would be a great place to come back when the kids are a little older and you can do more of the walks and kayak trips.  It would also maybe give me some time to get a little (okay a lot) fitter.  From there we headed straight back into town and thought we would quickly pick up the few mail items we had sent to us.  First stop the Toll depo - no problem at all there.  Next stop was the Post Office where I thought we had three items but she only came out with one.  So on requesting for another look she found a second item but there was no big parcel like we expected.

So back to the car I went and Jason wasn’t too happy as it was our new Dometic toilet cassette that we had been waiting for and were originally meant to get in Broome!  So onto the phone he got and eventually we found out it had been sent with TNT and so we needed to go to their depo, which believe it or not was pretty much next to the Toll one.  So off we headed back out of town and of course when Jason went in they said they didn’t have it.  On closer inspection though and after lifting a few boxes they found it so we were happy and could finally return to the van.

I just did some school with Hamish before packing the kids back up in the car and headed out to Katherine Outback Experience.  It is run by Tom Curtain who breaks in wild horses for a living but is also moving into other areas of dogs and now also has a piglet and water buffalo.  He also writes country music and has performed at Tamworth Country Music Festival.  Hamish kept telling us that it was going to be boring but he really got into it more and more as the show went on and Jason and I learnt so much about it all.  Tom’s method of breaking in wild horses is a calmer more friendly horse whisperer approach as opposed to the old ways of doing it which is harsher.

Breaking in a wild horse.  He has had it for three days.

This is not the same horse!

Where else do you see a horse push a pig around in a pram.

Hamish got to pat the pig.

I think the kids’ highlights were when the horse pushed the piglet in the pram and then they got to pat the piglet, but really the puppies that were brought out were the biggest hit.  I was a bit worried that they might think they could keep them so was very clear from the start that they had to hand them back over.  Luckily they were the only kids there so when everyone else had finished patting the puppies they were more than happy to let the kids hold them for ages.  Oh and yes they did hand them back over at the end.

The water buffalo having a wash down.

Hamish trying to pat the steers.

Demonstrating some skills a good horse has.

Kayla checking out the sheep dogs working the goats.

It was then straight back to the van for some homemade pizza for dinner and for the kids to go to bed.  Jason also managed to book his tennis tickets whilst I booked some accommodation in Darwin so we could check out the firework festival and concert for Territory Day.   Of course I just happen to book the Hilton but I do swear I did my research on the wotif and other last minute websites and it had a good deal going for us given its location.  It has to be better than a tent right!

Hamish patting the puppy.

Little mother hen.

Tuesday morning we didn’t have to be at our Top Diji Cultural experience until 9:30am so we managed to get the last of the sheets washed and a bit of school done before heading off.  This experience had been recommended by fellow families travelling so we thought it would have to be worth it and we were certainly not let down.  Whilst we were waiting for it to start, the guy who runs the place introduced the kids to Sweetie who is a little joey they have taken in as their mother had been hit by a car.  The kids loved feeding her the sweet potato.

The kids loved sweetie.

An introductory song.

Working on their masterpieces.

Sweetie eating some sweet potato.

An aboriginal elder from the Dalabon Tribe ran our workshop and the first half an hour was listening to his history and upbringing.  It was quite amazing hearing his story and his reaction when he first saw a white person.  Unfortunately Hamish found it boring and was not keen on sitting still or quiet for it so he got a stern talking to with the threat of not being able to do the spear throwing or painting!  Once the talk was over we started the main activity which was to learn how to paint their traditional way.  I had always assumed they all paint with the main feature being dots but it isn’t and in this case their tribe use stripes and four white stripes are only allowed to be used by members of their tribe.  If they had used more or less they would be punished as it was then considered another tribes work, and insulting to the other tribe.

Still going.

What they normally use for their paint.

Our completed masterpieces.

Demonstrating how to start a fire.

I can’t say we were all that good at the artwork but we gave it a go and the kids, well that was certainly interesting.  Kayla did a more modern take and Hamish did a camel.  Both of them at least had fun and when they got over it all they went and played with a box of toys.  Once we had finished our paintings we then moved on to learn how to light a fire.  Out of all the people in our group that day, only one managed to get it going.  Jason, Hamish and Kayla gave it a go, and at once stage Jason even had a little bit of smoke but no fire, but then he got too exhausted to keep going (it is actually quite tiring believe it or not!).  

Hamish having a go.

Then it was Jason's turn.

He was getting smoke.

Even Kayla had a go.

From there we moved onto the last activity which was learning how to throw a spear.  We had done this at Uluru, but this time we found it easier as there was an extra stick (forgive me as I can’t remember the right name for it) that made throwing the spear a bit easier.  The kids gave it a go and then the adults.  I actually really enjoyed it and managed to hit the kangaroo’s tail!  Obviously not ideal but hey I will take it and surely without a tail the Kangaroo couldn’t have gotten too far away.  I even learnt that the tail is the most delicious part so there you go.

Kayla had an attempt at spear throwing.

Jason made it look easy.

I hit the tail.

On the way home we grabbed some lunch and returned to the van to enjoy our last afternoon in Katherine.  We managed to do a bit more school and catch up on a few jobs before making our way back down to the Katherine Springs for one last swim.  I am loving the school holidays and how we can just do a little bit here and there and by the end of it we should be a full week, if not hopefully more ahead so that when we go to Singapore we don’t have to take anything, but also it will make the first week back a lot easier as we will have spread it out over two weeks!

Hamish did quite well.

Another little rescued joey.

Kayla loved holding it.

I even got a hold.

Kayla then had a massive nap, and by massive I mean she pretty much didn’t wake up until time for dinner.  So whilst she napped and Hamish was happy watching a movie we started packing up which make it easier for the next day.  We then decided to be daring parents and tried to wake Kayla up (okay we actually sent in Hamish) but that did not work and she just screamed and screamed and went back to sleep.  So the boys went off for one last swim in the Katherine Springs and I stayed and waited for her to wake up, hoping that it wouldn’t be long!  However the boys were back before she woke up so it was just dinner and a movie night as there was no way she was going to go back asleep any time soon.  Eventually she did get there and it was a bit of a mad dash to do some last minute packing for our night in Darwin.