It was a trip of 400km but not too tiring, we got there early enough though to get a good position as it is packed by 4pm. We had a couple of drinks prior to going to the pub for dinner. The pub itself is great with heaps of memrobillia & people leave things hanging up around the rafters and poles, things such as undies, bras, g strings, badges, hats, footy jumpers, thongs and old wares as well. We had beef and barra meal with salad for tea at the Pub which tasted really good ( & we didn't have to do any washing up!!) There was also entertainment with a bloke singing a number of 50/60's songs. We all left about 7.30pm but Carol & Rans went back and they had a country comedian on (named Chilli) who was really funny, sang some songs & resited some ozzie poems etc. It was a great nite. SATURDAY..... Up and headed off to Mataranka, only about an hours drive, where we set up at Park, we then drove down to the Bitter Springs, a great thermal pool which flows downstream allowing you to float, it was sooo good. The water was lovely & warm, flowing amoungst palm trees & parts of the springs were covered with reeds & beautiful flowering waterlillies, with dragonflies and birdlife flying around. You floated down a few hundred meters then get out, walk back and do it again. We then drove over to the Mataranka Homestead where the thermal pools there are OK but a bit commericalized, they are cement rendered, so it was more like sitting in a pool & it was very busy there. We then came back for arvo nibbles & drinks as it was Tezzas 69th b'day. A nice tea & Apple Pie.
SUNDAY.... Rans went for an early morning dip in springs, then we had a big breakie for tezza.We then had our Queensland friends call in on us & after a chat with them we went back down to Bitter springs, this time we took snorkel & goggles !! so Caz got to use goggles, oh what a laugh, as you know shes not real good putting her head under water but after a few attempts she mastered it, was great to see the fish, underwater plants etc, we then went to nearby Homestead and did a 3km return walk to Stevies Hole ( thats its real name !) where there are small rapids to swim through into a big billabong area, it was great especially when Di & Caz had a go. Carol was not really keen on doing it but somehow got talked into it !! As you enter off the bank the flow immediately drags you along ( no time for 2nd thoughts !) then your bum his a rock & it sort of lifts your head well above water level ( this is good ) but then next second you are pulled down under the water (not so good !!) thats when my first bit gulp of water went down my throat !! then before you know it your head is above water again ( thank god) but it happens again...under I went again & another mouthful of water ( by now my lungs are 2/3rds full) ...up I came again & I could hear Stephen, John & Di all yelling something at me but before I could register it ...yep ! under I went again !!! ..so now that my lungs were completely full I came up again to finally hear what they were saying...SHUT YOUR MOUTH !! I thought they were going to be the last words I ever heard !! next thing they reached out & grabbed me before I went floating into the billabong, so after a lot of spluttering & gasping for air and nearly drinking all of the Roper River, they convinced me to do it again to take a photo of me !! (this time with mouth shut !) but we all know Carol thats a bit hard !!........
We didn't see any crocs but they say there are freshwater ones there but they don't attack you !!....OH YEAH... We then went and looked at the replica home of "we of the never never" story. When we got back the girls were speaking to a lady from East Gosford of all places who said she saw a croc just down from where we were swimming.....Oh Great.!!! MONDAY..... Up at daybreak for a beautiful sunrise and swim at the Springs, Caz has now mastered the snorkel ( looks sooo professional ) & has the best time watching the hundreds of fishes swimming around her & saw 2 tortoises as well. It was so serene, just like looking into a fish tank....we then go back for breakie then went out to '12 mileyard' campground and catch up with Geoff & Anna ( the Queenslanders) who along with Caz, John & Rans decide to go on a 8.2km ret trip to Mataranka Falls. The Roper river was great to see and the falls were OK but the walk was hard, especially through sand and it became very hot, it took 2hr ret trip & we were all stuffed by then end of it. meanwhile Di & Tezza went fishing for barra ( for tea ) but only lost the lures snagging them on rocks/logs!! (we got out the chops just in case !!).
Sandy didn't come as she now has Johns man flu. We then return to park where Rans & John head straight for the pool for a swim and cool down. The rest of today is spent resting, packing up, computer/photo stuff. we got to speak to both of our boys who sound great, which made us feel good. We are heading off to Katherine tomorrow so speak to you all soon, luv rans & mrs ransxxxxxxxx
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