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Published: November 26th 2009
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The long drive begins...
Southbound on the Stuart Hwy, NT 4th November 09 - 6th November 09
Heading south now...
Had to return to Darwin after Litchfield for some fridge repairs. With the fridge back running (thank god) I headed off (finally) on my big drive back down south. Stayed at Edith Falls again on the way back. I just love having a swim in the massive water hole after a long day on the road. My second day was my big drive day, Edith Falls to Banka Banka, some 600 odd kms. It's still quite hot and I had to surrender to the air con every now and then. By the way, I love air con. Whoever says that they would rather sweat so much that when they get out of the car their whole dress is wet and now see-through, is just jealous that they don't have air con! It is a gift from the gods and that's all there is to it!
The drive back south is long and hot but with my second book on cd (Bill Bryson's 'Notes from a big country') playing, the distance doesn't seem as long.
Now is probably a good time to bring to light some of the
Banka Banka
Stuart Hwy, NT weird and well wonderful things you encounter on the road when you are travelling.
I reckon I have seen it all. From every kind of road kill you can imagine with the massive wedge tail eagles feeding on them, to odd characters walking, riding, cycling or camel training their way south, to friendly waves from passing traffic. That would have to be one of the things that I love most about being on the road. It would appear that someone somewhere started a waving wave and it has continued on. I have waved at every single car, van, truck and road train I have passed on my jounery south and you know what... I have received back a wave from everyone (well not everyone, only the nice people). It's what you do, it's how it should be! It really makes you smile and it can be alot of fun. After a few hours on a rather boring stretch of road, seeing an oncoming vehicle makes you think... ay something to do for 3 seconds. I have received the foot wave, the frantic wave and the cool hip hippy peace sign wave, the one finger wave, to the 'rock on'
Froggy friends
Banka Banka, NT wave. One van I pasted had both occupants bird wing waving out the sides of their van. It really makes you smile and laugh and I love that!
I saw this guy who is walking, yes that's right you read correctly, he is walking around the country. He has a giant Canadian flag on this cart so that might explain his strange decision! I passed him when I was heading north to Darwin and then I passed him again on my way south. I tell you what, it really makes you appreciate driving. Whatever rocks your boat I guess. I did also meet this crazy Frenchman who is cycling his way around the country. I did actually have a chat to him and I can safely say he has completely lost his mind so that explains it all. I followed him through Kakadu. I wonder where I will see him again... If you see him, give him a wave. He has a t-shirt on that reads 'McShit' with the golden arches.....
I met some great locals at the main gas station near Daly Waters. The diesel pump had gone off line and this lovely young kid was having
to run in and out of the shop with our fuel info to the lady at the counter. He was a great kid, and boy was he getting a work out in 40 degree heat!
Coming into Elliott I was pulled over by a highway patrol car for a random breath test. Slightly annoyed because it was getting near sunset and I still had a way to go before I got to Banka Banka, the cops checked my rego sticker and reported to me that it had expired. Shocked, I immediately claimed otherwise and started to put up a fight only to receive back a little chuckle and a 'only joking' from the police officer! Cop humour. Not funny!!!
I made it to Banka Banka right on sunset. It's a great little spot and I recommend it to any traveller. Lovely green grass, nice showers and frogs! Lots and lots of gorgeous little green tree frogs that come out on dark and kept me company for a few hours. I was off the next morning early to start the drive down to the Devils Marbles. After a hot day on the road yesterday, I was looking forward to
driving in the cooler morning air.
The craziest thing I have probably seen on my drive down south was this guy just out of Tennet Creek. He had a car, well half a car actually that had been converted into a wagon that was being pulled along by two camels! That's right, camels! It was the strangiest thing I have seen yet. So many cars were pulling over to have alook at this guy. I wish I had taken a picture! He was like a hundred years old. I bet he has a good story or two!
It's fun the things you see on the road. The most fun is in actually driving. What that's saying... 'the journey is more important then the destination...' or something like that. Next stop Devils Marbles!
I love the open road...
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