SATURDAY 23 JULY 11 KATHERINE N.T.

Hi to all, we are now at Katherine where the daily temp is 30-32deg (so hard to take!1) We are staying at Springvale Homestead, a nice park but with very basic amenities, it is next to the Katherine River. This is what we have been doing these last couple of days. TUESDAY..... We headed off from Mataranka with a short drive to Katherine just over 100km. We arrived and set up then headed off into the Katherine Info Centre which we must say is one of the best we have been to, so much information, not just on Katherine but all areas we will be visiting in the next couple of months, plus the staff were very helpfull & friendly. We then did some shopping & returned back to site. Rans, Caz & Di went to the Hot Springs, a great disappointment, it was dirty, not even warm and a big let down from Mataranka Springs, the girls didn't even go in, we returned to our park and went for a swim in the spring fed pool. WEDNESDAY.... Rans got up early & went for a walk along riverbank, it's a bit eerie keeping a watchful eye out for crocs. They have caught some saltwater ones recently and they advise you to don't go swimming other than the Hot Springs....therefore no river swimming ( we have seen a lot of "locals" in the rapids ) John, Sandy Di & Caz went to the Cutta Cutta Caves, which they really enjoyed, whilst Rans & Tezza went looking for a fishing spot.

 They found one up river near a place called Low Level Crossing. They threw a line in each and got one good bite and a couple of nibbles but whilst there, they saw a croc (freshwater they think) about 5' in length sunbaking on a log, then slipping into the water, it makes you stay on your toes getting ready to run (imagine Tezza running!!!). Later in the arvo Rans Caz & Di went to  Jurassic Cycad Gardens, which was good to see with different plants, palms, flowers, boab trees, cactus, succulents.

It was well set out but it does need a bit more up keep and watering which I suppose is hard out here. We then went to a Sausage Sizzle fundraiser in the c/van pk, for the Royal Flying Doc service, they played songs , music & poems with some raffles, its good to help this service & hopefully we won't require them ever on this trip. THURSDAY..... Up early, Di not feeling to good coming down with that man flu thing!!! so the Bewells & Ransleys head out to Katherine Gorge Nitmiluk National Park. We arrived there and went on a walk up to the lookout looking over the 1st gorge, a great view, we then continued on the walk which took approx 1hr 30min. When we got back to the carpark Di & Terry had just arrived. We had some morn tea then went on a small walk along the rivers edge, we then had some lunch in the park but we had to be carefull as nearly every tree had hundreds if not thousands of bats in them, so you had to make sure you didn't get pooed on,

we then went on a 3 gorge cruise which takes approx 4hrs, you cruise the first gorge then walk to the next one past beautiful rock pools, billabongs, ponds & then get on the next boat and so forth to the next gorge, we got to see our first freshwater crocs here, they were not real big but was still happy to see them from a boat ! They hide so well in their natural surroundings, you can be looking straight at them & not realize they are there.Once you are in the 3rd gorge you alight at the end and climb up to the Lillyponds, which is a big pond with a waterfall, the boys went in for a swim ( no cocs in it !!) they said it was not too cold, it was fantastic, Di & Terry stayed at the boat, the walk would be too hard for Terry to do.

 The gorges are wonderful, so pretty it is just AMAZING, the 2nd gorge is the one they use in all the promotions etc and its no wonder why, it was just spectacular to see, also one of the rock face walls was used in the movie Jeda. We aslo got to see ancient aboriginal artwork on the rock walls. The crusie was even more enjoyable as the 2 guides/drivers of the boat Rocky & Chris ( both aborigines) were fantastic, they were knowledgable, as well as very funny, both really lovely boys, one of them reminded us of our brother in law Ken. A trip that is worth every cent & more.

FRIDAY..... Up earlish and the Bewells & Ransleys drove out to Edith Falls, Di still not well & Terrys back is also playing up. On arrival we went for a walk around the park the first section goes for 1.2km but is straight up but when you finish you come to upper pond, a beautiful waterfall pond with a small beach and 2 smaller ponds, Rans & John went for a swim which was really nice.

 We then continued on the trek to a great viewing lookout, looking back at the upper & middle waterfalls, we then returned to the picnic area had some lunch, then Rans & John again went for a swim in the Plunge Pond of Edith Falls, a huge area with a waterall, John swam all the way over to the falls and back, whilst Rans lazed close around the shoreline.

 We then drove back into town where Rans had to get a part for his fridge/freezer which was playing up. We then returned to out site, Tezza decided to go for a fish just down by the river which runs beside the park, whilst Rans & Tezza where there, they saw a 7-8' fresh croc across the river sunbaking as well as a couple more swimming through the water. Terry had not even seen them until Rans pointed them out.  We then went back for tea with us having Pizzas for tea, something diff & G.Free. We watched a bit of the footy, a beautiful warm night again, (sorry to you's all in NSW with all your wet, cold weather!!) SATURDAY..... A easy day today as we head off again tomorrow into Litchfield Nat Park. Washing & shopping needed to be done,so we headed into town, & we went to the smallest markets that we have ever been to it was over in about 10min....maybe a good thing for Rans's  & John's wallets. We got to have a nice lazy arvo, catching up on some reading, swimming at the park pool & finishing this BLOG !! So will close here again, hope the rain has stopped, and you are all well, take care, miss you all, with love Carol & Stephen XXXXX