Had a great few days with Shirley & Ken, relaxing and sight seeing. First we had a day trip to Edith falls, taking both cars as we are packed tightly and theres is a ute, just a two seater.
Got there around 11 am and had brought our bathers so decided to have a swim, been told there are no Salties, just fresh water Crocs which are small and are only active between 7pm and 7am, so fingers crossed! We take our noodles and walk down a lovely path between native plants and rocks and can hear the splashes and giggles before we get there. There are two spots to get in and we choose the one with steps. The pool is in a gully between two huge rock outcrops and on the other two sides is just bush and and the nature reserve. Although there are only around 15 people around its still feels calm and relaxing. As we get into the water Ken and Tommy splash us girls and then they notice that the small fish are actually biting at their feet to clean them and its not so funny! They are only tiny fish so its not going to do us any harm! We all get in and decide to try to make it across the pool to the waterfall. It doesn't look far but after about half an hour we are only half way there...... that waterfall is pushing us back all the way. Never mind, we have had a lovely chat holding onto our noodles and swimming. We noticed lots of birds, red tail Kites and lorikeets but also noticed what we thought was kingfishers, of course I made a comment, when asked where they were, "in the tree on its own, in the middle of the three together" and they never let me forget it! Was kinda silly thing to say! What a laugh we had. We got out after an hour or so as we had wrinkly fingers, and ordered some lunch at the wee cafe. Sat there for a while and spoke about how lovely a camp this would be. Then back to the camp site and a wee nap and Tommy & I headed down to the camp site bistro for dinner. Early night as we are so knackered from the sun today.
Got there around 11 am and had brought our bathers so decided to have a swim, been told there are no Salties, just fresh water Crocs which are small and are only active between 7pm and 7am, so fingers crossed! We take our noodles and walk down a lovely path between native plants and rocks and can hear the splashes and giggles before we get there. There are two spots to get in and we choose the one with steps. The pool is in a gully between two huge rock outcrops and on the other two sides is just bush and and the nature reserve. Although there are only around 15 people around its still feels calm and relaxing. As we get into the water Ken and Tommy splash us girls and then they notice that the small fish are actually biting at their feet to clean them and its not so funny! They are only tiny fish so its not going to do us any harm! We all get in and decide to try to make it across the pool to the waterfall. It doesn't look far but after about half an hour we are only half way there...... that waterfall is pushing us back all the way. Never mind, we have had a lovely chat holding onto our noodles and swimming. We noticed lots of birds, red tail Kites and lorikeets but also noticed what we thought was kingfishers, of course I made a comment, when asked where they were, "in the tree on its own, in the middle of the three together" and they never let me forget it! Was kinda silly thing to say! What a laugh we had. We got out after an hour or so as we had wrinkly fingers, and ordered some lunch at the wee cafe. Sat there for a while and spoke about how lovely a camp this would be. Then back to the camp site and a wee nap and Tommy & I headed down to the camp site bistro for dinner. Early night as we are so knackered from the sun today.
Next day was a day of rest, fixing stuff up and washing and cleaning for us. Then the four of us went into Katherine for supplies. The cleaner at the Big4 site had told us where there was a whole sale butcher and fruit & veg place, so off we trotted. Found "Jones Meat Mart "and had a great time picking Crocodile steaks, Emu Sausages, Buffalo steaks, barramundi fillets and the usual mince and steaks. Good prices and very friendly staff. Tommy had taken a picture of the front window as it says "Eat Beef Ya Bastards!" and thought it was so funny. As we went in the butcher came to the counter and Tommy commented that he loved his window slogan, he said thanks and went through to the back of the shop. Tommy thought, oh not very friendly, but it was the opposite, he came back through with 4 stubby coolers with his slogan on them and gave 2 each to the men! They were so chuffed!
We went next door and stocked up on some cheap fruit & Veggies and then into Woolworths for the rest of our shopping. We leave tomorrow and have planned to all head for the camp site at Edith Falls for a week. movie on and an early night!
We went next door and stocked up on some cheap fruit & Veggies and then into Woolworths for the rest of our shopping. We leave tomorrow and have planned to all head for the camp site at Edith Falls for a week. movie on and an early night!
Up early and down to the shops for fresh bread and to fill up in town with fresh water(the camp site uses bore water and doesn't taste good) and empty the toilet. On the road and at Edith falls by 10.30am, got our site setup and had some lunch with Ken & Shirl, then bathers on and down to the water.
This time we swam out to the falls and Tommy climbed up the side of the rocks, not too far as its very slippery. The noodles give us more confidence as they hold you up in the water. Had great fun and watch the kingfishers dive near the water and then sore up into the tree, on its own, in the middle of the three together. Someone tells us that its actually a bee catcher bird, (didn't get any photos but found one on the internet.) really beautiful and was swooping right over our heads.
The weather is great, up in the 30's so almost dry as soon as we got out the water. We got back and showered and sat with Ken & Shirley for 5's, cheese n biscuits with a we glass or two of wine. Lovely! So tired we were all in bed by 9.30!
Next morning we decided to do the walk up to the top pool over the hill, so we got our bathers on, walking shoes and packed our noodles, water and some snacks. Set off around 10.30am before the sun got too hot and the locals say it will only take an hour to get there and back..... It was 3pm by the time WE got back!
The path was steep and rocky in places, sandy and overgrown in others. It was steep and a bit scary in places, where you had to walk between steep rocks and boulders. Shirley felt it more than us, as she forgot to put on those walking shoes! Her thongs were probably the worst thing to walk with! She did good though, so with some stops we managed to get to the wonderful pool at the top by around 12 and needed to get in right away as we were sweltered! It was awesome! There were lots of tourists around and plenty of people in the water so not quite as relaxing as the bottom pool, but glorious!
We had our snacks sitting on a few rocks and had plenty to drink before getting ready to tackle the walk back down.
We decided to go the opposite way back down as a few people had told us it might be easier. Not a chance, it seemed worse! Had to climb over giant boulders, almost on your hands & knees, tread carefully over sandy slippery paths, dodge the lizards, duck under tree branches and squeeze your body through narrow gaps in the rocks. An adventure sure enough but very strenuous and scary at times. Add the heat being 28dg and by the end of it we were soaking with sweat and desperate to get down to the bottom pool for another dip!
We were about 500 meters away when a ranger passed us, wearing short shorts(wonderful legs) and a tight shirt(great abs), well tanned and very good looking.... my goodness it fairly put a spring back in Shirley & I's step!
We jumped into the water as soon as we got there and had a swim around, we didn't stay long as we were so tired we didn't want to fall asleep in the water!
It was 3pm by the time we got back to the vans! We had a nap, had some cheese n wine, made dinner and in bed by 9.30pm!
This time we swam out to the falls and Tommy climbed up the side of the rocks, not too far as its very slippery. The noodles give us more confidence as they hold you up in the water. Had great fun and watch the kingfishers dive near the water and then sore up into the tree, on its own, in the middle of the three together. Someone tells us that its actually a bee catcher bird, (didn't get any photos but found one on the internet.) really beautiful and was swooping right over our heads.
The weather is great, up in the 30's so almost dry as soon as we got out the water. We got back and showered and sat with Ken & Shirley for 5's, cheese n biscuits with a we glass or two of wine. Lovely! So tired we were all in bed by 9.30!
Next morning we decided to do the walk up to the top pool over the hill, so we got our bathers on, walking shoes and packed our noodles, water and some snacks. Set off around 10.30am before the sun got too hot and the locals say it will only take an hour to get there and back..... It was 3pm by the time WE got back!
The path was steep and rocky in places, sandy and overgrown in others. It was steep and a bit scary in places, where you had to walk between steep rocks and boulders. Shirley felt it more than us, as she forgot to put on those walking shoes! Her thongs were probably the worst thing to walk with! She did good though, so with some stops we managed to get to the wonderful pool at the top by around 12 and needed to get in right away as we were sweltered! It was awesome! There were lots of tourists around and plenty of people in the water so not quite as relaxing as the bottom pool, but glorious!
We had our snacks sitting on a few rocks and had plenty to drink before getting ready to tackle the walk back down.
We decided to go the opposite way back down as a few people had told us it might be easier. Not a chance, it seemed worse! Had to climb over giant boulders, almost on your hands & knees, tread carefully over sandy slippery paths, dodge the lizards, duck under tree branches and squeeze your body through narrow gaps in the rocks. An adventure sure enough but very strenuous and scary at times. Add the heat being 28dg and by the end of it we were soaking with sweat and desperate to get down to the bottom pool for another dip!
We were about 500 meters away when a ranger passed us, wearing short shorts(wonderful legs) and a tight shirt(great abs), well tanned and very good looking.... my goodness it fairly put a spring back in Shirley & I's step!
We jumped into the water as soon as we got there and had a swim around, we didn't stay long as we were so tired we didn't want to fall asleep in the water!
It was 3pm by the time we got back to the vans! We had a nap, had some cheese n wine, made dinner and in bed by 9.30pm!
Next couple of days were relaxed and Tommy decided he would do the bigger walk up to the 3rd pool and waterfall, he said it was very worthwhile and took some great shots.
But mostly each day consisted of relaxing, just a swim and a walk before making dinner and an early bed. One of the days when we were in the water, I decided to get out before everyone else and started for the shore, for some reason I turned back towards them and spotted something in the water. Just as it swam about a foot away from Tommy's head I knew it was a snake! I didn't want to shout to him, in case he turned his head and frightened it, so waited until it passed and then called out to him. He just caught a glimpse of it as it reached the rocks behind him! Scary!
We also spent one of the days in Katherine again getting our shopping and a few chores done on the internet. Tommy wanted to buy some reversing cameras for the car & caravan and get them posted to Pete in Darwin. We stocked up again and got some dinner at the pub. By the time we got back it was dark and Ken & Shirl were worried! There is no internet or phone reception at the park so we couldn't contact them! Felt like Mum & Dad scolding us! Ha Ha!
But mostly each day consisted of relaxing, just a swim and a walk before making dinner and an early bed. One of the days when we were in the water, I decided to get out before everyone else and started for the shore, for some reason I turned back towards them and spotted something in the water. Just as it swam about a foot away from Tommy's head I knew it was a snake! I didn't want to shout to him, in case he turned his head and frightened it, so waited until it passed and then called out to him. He just caught a glimpse of it as it reached the rocks behind him! Scary!
We also spent one of the days in Katherine again getting our shopping and a few chores done on the internet. Tommy wanted to buy some reversing cameras for the car & caravan and get them posted to Pete in Darwin. We stocked up again and got some dinner at the pub. By the time we got back it was dark and Ken & Shirl were worried! There is no internet or phone reception at the park so we couldn't contact them! Felt like Mum & Dad scolding us! Ha Ha!