Day 138 - Monday 15 May - Oasis in the bush

Day 138

Monday

15 May 2017 – finished Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. Another heavy character driven novel exploring tested relationships.

Begun Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, the follow up novel to The Girl on the Train – I hope this one is as gripping as her debut.

Daly Waters – Mataranka (Mataranka Homestead $30 pn)

The chatter and noise of people moving on woke me just after 7am. I stayed in bed reading my book, finally reaching the end of the story, another good read by Liane Moriarty.

We got up at 8.10am and were straight into routine. I made the bed and then we sat down for breakfast before stowing all things, setting all gadgets, unplugging all power and heading on at 8.45am, an early start.

We continued on the Explorer Way (Stuart Highway) further north and drawing closer to Darwin. There were plenty of birds of prey out circling. We now know when we see a mass of them that there is fresh road kill to be devoured and today we saw plenty. Unfortunately one was in the middle of the road and Paul angled the van so we would travel over the top of it. The van cleared it no worries but then there was a deafening thud and slight pull as the trailer and or car didn’t quite make it over. It didn’t impede our travels however and we continued our travels after a slight raised eyebrow, sideways glance at one another.

This section of highway has plenty of WWII markers indicating staging areas and airfields. Daly waters had quite a large aviation complex that we passed on our way in and out. It was originally Australia’s first international airfield, used as a stop for the flying mail before becoming a refuelling point for QANTAS international flights flying through Darwin and on to Singapore as well as other domestic flights. Apparently the original QANTAS hangar still stands and you can go and check it out along with a walk on the runway and through the ruins of the old terminal.

Mataranka was only two hours away from Daly Waters. I had looked into the Mataranka Homestead as a place to stay and the gps navigated us to the door. We pulled to a stop and Paul checked the back end of the vehicles, the bike was a bit skew-whiff and would need to be straightened once we were parked up.

We chatted to the lady in reception, booked in for two nights, were told about the things they have on offer and then we went off to choose our site. We pulled through one bay and into the one of our choice and then it was all stations go setting up, finding the offending mouse, now dead yay, before we could relax.

The camping area is surrounded by green lush trees and palms, however the sites are dirt. I felt like we had walked onto an Asian resort, tropical weather, relaxed atmosphere and that rich limey green colour to the foliage. Once we had set our selves up we were in to the bathers and off to find the thermal pools. The info says the water is a constant 34C and is fed from the Rainbow Springs that flow at 30.5 million litres per day!

As you enter the Elsey National Park the signage warns of Freshwater crocodiles inhabiting the area. I was hoping I didn’t come across one. The boardwalk leads you through the palm forest and then you get a fleeting look at the water, crystal clear with an aquamarine tinge, it had me ooing when I spotted it. Then we rounded the bend and the pool stretched out before us. There were a few already enjoying the water.

We walked to the end of the path, dropped our towels and walked the stairs that lead into the water, the heat emanating through the metal grate. I hit the water, let go an ahhh and proceeded to immerse my whole body in the water, it was divine. We found a couple of submerged rocks that we could sit on and take in the picturesque beauty we were surrounded by. Heaven.

This is actually a photo taken underwater to show how clear the water really is.

We chatted to another couple from Toowoomba picking up further spots to check out and then we made our way back to the van for lunch.

After eating we took off in the car to Territory Manor where they hand feed barramundi, unfortunately they weren’t interested and was a bit of a wasted trip. We returned via the town, a few buildings along the highway, stopping to check out the large termite mound that has been created. It is supposed to have audio explaining the workings of the mounds, but it was busted.

We made our way back to Mataranka Homestead stopping at the entrance so that we could check out the Elsey Station Homestead replica that was constructed for he the film “We of the Never Never”. I had a wander through the cypress pine, two room building and checked out some of the costumes on display. The film is shown in the bar everyday at midday, so I may just check it out tomorrow.

Once back at the van we opted to read. The air con started making funny noises and it became obvious that only the fan was working, bugger. Paul had a look at it, but nothing seemed to work, guess it will be another thing to have checked in Darwin.

There was a coolish breeze outside so we eventually retreated outdoors to continue to read and listen to music, all while more vans sauntered in. A damn peacock snuck up on me and sounded its horn, scaring the bejesus out of me. I wonder what they taste like. They look like they might make a good substitute to turkey,

Sick of sitting around, we grabbed the camera and went for a walk, making our way back into Elsey National Park. Instead of heading to the pools we took off left past the Rainbow Springs where the pools originate from and then on to Stevie’s Hole about a k away. This route took us through the bush where we passed a wallaby, red tail cockatoos, numerous birds of prey and lizards. All the while I was looking for crocs, but we saw none.  Every rustling noise though had me scanning the land before and behind us. It is nerve-racking country.

We made it t to the waterhole and the water was rushing by in a great hurry. You weren’t able to swim or canoe here at the moment, I figured due to the strong current not the croc issue. We stood at the edge watching water flow by before returning via the path, collecting red dust on our feet (think I was fit for a corroboree) and then on to the pub, 5pm Happy Hour!

We ordered our drinks and sat down to check in to Face Book and read the pamphlets we had collected about tours and fishing charters for further north. I was happily getting merry as we watched life go by.

Our stomachs were telling us it was time to eat, so we returned to the van to reheat our spaghetti meal, man it went down well. From the van we could here the Country n Western act playing. Yee Hah! I think I might have had too much wine.  I am so much more fun with wine. 

We wandered back to the pub to listen to the end of the band’s set, on the way I stopped at the loo, pressed the button and watched a frog cling to the side, I came out giggling, a true Aussie dunny experience, poor frog.

We found a table to sit at and began singing and clapping along, Paul was taking great pleasure in my pissed state.

Following the band, Nathan Griggs, a whip cracker came on to entertain us. He currently holds the world record for the most whip cracks in 1 min, 697! He was very entertaining. I made sure I had a front row seat to take photos and to cheer loudly. He of course had audience participation, firstly a Canadian to make sound effects for a train, funny his name was Thomas, like the tank engine.

He was a rubbish train. The an older lady had to stand in front of him while he cracked his whips around her and of course me, cause I had the best camera to take photos while laying on my back looking up at him with the whips flying about me. I was too pissed and too focused on taking photos to really notice the flying pieces of leather or the loud cracks they gave off.

He finished with an ACDC routine and then a fiery whip cracking trick and it was all over. I was congratulated by audience members for being so brave, of course Paul piped up and said it’s ok she is pissed. Hmm, nothing like dutch courage.

We wobbled our way back to the van at 9.45pm ready to go to bed, hope we can sleep.