Kimberleys Trip 31 May 2019

This morning was 2.5oC with a biting cold wind, we were pleased that we were heading north towards Katherine. 

This part of the road is a long boring drive. We stopped for morning tea at the Stuart Memorial, and were entertained by 3 Willie Wagtails. 

The speed limit is 130km/hr, but we travelled at around 96km/hr. Barrow Creek WWII Historic Site was the stop for lunch. There isn't much left there, but it is a good flat area for camping, and a few vans were there. 

I thought I saw a grey parrot. The Devil's Marbles are pretty amazing, and I really don't remember seeing as many in '71. 

This is what the rock looks like close up

Along the road were lots of anthills. 

About 40km before Tennant Creek we pulled over at roadside to and put fuel in from the jerry can. At Tennant Creek we got fuel, water, and a phone signal. At the BP we were also able to have free showers, but unfortunately the hot water wasn't working so they were very brisk. Darryl bought a sausage roll and I got some Red Rooster, which was good as it meant we didn't need to cook when we finally got to Attack Creek to camp for the night. It was bulging at the seams with all other campers, but we snuck into a spot, and chatted to a neighbour, Bungie, who was travelling from Darwin to Townsville for a RAAF reunion.

Kimberleys Trip 30 May 2019

The temperature was up a little, but there was a wind which was cold in the shade, but ok if in the sun. We packed up early to go to Serpentine Gorge 7km away. 

We walked up to the pool at the bottom of the gorge then Darryl went up to the lookout while I went back to the car and did a bit of a tidy-up. 

The next stop was Ellery Big Hole and we walked the Dolomite walk which was very interesting geologically. 

After morning tea we went down to the water hole. I remember coming here in 1971. 

Simpson's Gap was the next destination, and there was a short walk to the pool at the bottom of the gap, and along the way were a group of artists. 

After lunch we returned to Alice Springs to get supplies for the trip north to Katherine. On the way out of town we drove up to the ANZAC lookout for a view of the town and the range, and who should turn up but Peter! 

We tried to get fresh water for our tanks but it wasn't happening so we drove North to the Tropic of Capricorn and camped at the rest area. 

Only one motorhome was camped there. There was a freezing strong wind, so for the very first time since we have had the camper, we ate inside. There were quite a few trucks roaring through earlier in the night, and a train at some point, but slept pretty well, except when a car pulled up right next to us, and I got up in the cold to check out what they were up to. Turned out they were sleeping too. By morning there was another car camper as well. Had a phone signal for a while so caught up on a few things.