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Published: October 6th 2008
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Packed up the Kakadu campsite and left the National Park with a heavy heart. One more swim in the Cooinda pool cooled us down before the long drive ahead. The road out of Kakadu is a long one since the park covers more than 20000 square kilometres. We drove through beautiful flood plains, over the alligator river in many spots, through groves of different trees and termite mounds and grey rocks.
We drove nearly into Darwin and then back out again and down to Litchfield National Park. We have heard such good things about this place and cant wait to get there. We drive into the park and around to Wangi Falls, a superb spot, only to be told that we cant really stay there as ‘they’ will be demolishing the facilities soon. So we dip our toes in the water, stare at the beautiful waterfalls and go to plan B. We’re off to Florence Falls, about 20km back into the park. Another pretty stunning spot. Bush camping. No electricity, no running water apart from a sink a mile away, no toilet paper. 135 steps down to the falls. That means 135 steps back up again. But worth it. Florence Falls
has two waterfalls, gorgeous running streams from it and high cliffs surrounding it. There was a guy and his son vying for hero of the year by jumping off the highest cliff into the waterhole. But the son lost because he was only about nine and was actually too scared to jump, but was being cajoled by the dad (who looked like he was out on day release) and ended up in tears. Ro and Rob set up the tents as usual nowadays. When we returned from the falls, they were nearly finished and only needed help with gyropes and stuff. We all wished we could dial a pizza. No pizza and no phone coverage. It is very hot and dusty and our feet are the dirtiest ever seen. Finally got to sleep after a snooze outside first in the cool breeze. We are surprised about the reduced birdlife here, but we have been joined by wallabies, frogs and every ant that God ever put breath into.
Day Twenty Two
Woke up this morning to a magnificent sunrise through the tent windows. So beautiful. The Martins missed it. Too busy sleeping in. Pancakes for breakfast and Ro is renamed
the Pancake Man as he shook the pancake-mix-container without the lid on and ended up wearing most of it. And he swore in front of the kids. It was a lazy morning after the long drive and set up of yesterday. Ro and Rob went on a drive to Batchelor (hopeful???) in search of drinking water and when they returned we went again to Wangi Falls, just for the day. We swam under the waterfalls, climbed the rocks to a swimming hole that was so deep you couldn’t see the bottom, floated on our noodles, had a game of frisbie in the shallows, had lunch in the shady picnic area, relaxed, read and played footy. We chatted with a bloke who has been on a trip across the top of Australia, jumping at every waterhole along the way. He’s jumped everywhere and was happy to tell us about it. He was not a slim fellow and his bombs were spectacular. We scored him an eleven for his last jump. The risk of crocodile attacks has not gone unnoticed by the kids, especially the Stocker ones. They overheard some teenagers saying today that they had seen 2 crocs, and then took
it in turns to have anxiety attacks over every touch, every slippery rock, every ripple.
Hi all, bron here. Litchfield is beautiful. Completely different to Kakadu but no complaints here. Glad to see that Jac filled you in on the pancake man this morning. It was one of the funniest things I have seen this trip. He wore that pancake mix with pride until washing it off at Wangi falls. Kids swam and swam and swam ending up at the back of waterfalls with the water pelting down like hail stones, they were all as pleased as punch to have done it. They climbed wet rocks to smaller pools and could not keep the smiles from their faces. It was great to see them explore it all. We washed a lot of red dirt off today in that water and I can tell you it was needed. The kids feet prior were BLACK, nice. Darwin showers and washing machines will get a massive workout next week. I forgot to tell you all earlier that when rob and I sat up one night in Kakadu we had a visit from a dingo. I’m not sure who got more of a
fright, it or us and it left as soon as it came but it was great to see.
Just sitting here tonight after another glorious sunset planning another fantastic day in Litchfield. What a wonderful country we live in . Late entry now. Ro brought a chainsaw to assist in our wood cutting ventures. Saw some wood on the side of the road outside Litchield. Stop the car, its 39 outside. Ro and Rob looking a bit like Tim the tool man taylor from Home improvement, just needed the grunts. Anyway about 200 attempts later the thing finally started. Rob and Ro both suitably impressed and dripping with sweat like they'd been in that swedish sauna for 5 hours. But we had wood and it was cut nicely!
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ooo la la whos that hott guy on the right? hahaha jokkkess guess who!