Judy & Brian Tour Oz

The heat makes you do, or not do some thing, like typing up a blog every night. At least at Banka Banka I could rightly claim no internet, but that was a couple of nights ago. Time for a bit of a travel catch-up: Banka Banka NT June 7 2016 FB Ute parked at the door to Banka Banka NT This is more like it, today we head out for Banka Banka, 525km to the west, and up a tiny bit. The only things of note to the traveller between the two places is the Barkly Homestead Roadhouse and Three Ways. From Camooweal, it’s 12 km to the NT border then a 258km stretch to the Barkly. It’s not actually the homestead as some signs suggest, that’s way off down south from here, it's the roadhouse and caravan park of the same name. We topped up the tank, ate a sandwich and didn't drink our ‘coffee’. It may be the bore water but it was unpleasant. Expensive, but unpleasant. From here it's only a short 190km blast to ‘SH’, emblazoned on the signs displayed every 10km or so along the road...

Up not quite so early today, but still managed a couple of swims through at the Bitter Springs, just me and a handful of likeminded souls enjoying the peace and tranquility of nature at its best. Then we had to bite the bullet and get moving down the Stuart Highway to Banka Banka, a distance of some 480km, but pretty straight forward. I discovered today why my fuel consumption had jumped up past 20L / 100km, the thing appears to be reluctant to change up past 5th gear, making it rev at 2300 rpm instead of 1700 and in the process pushes the instantaneous consumption up from 15 to 20 (at 100kph). Yes, one could slow down as well, but to be perfectly honest, I think you'd die of boredom, its a very long soulless drive with little or nothing to break the scenery or the journey. Anyhow, by kicking the thing into 'sport' mode (Ford's imaginative term for manual override) and pulling the stick back, it goes into 6th and is deliriously happy to stay there for hours. Bump it b...

Just a short note today to say that we took our time in moving from Katherine to Mataranka. As is becoming the norm, finding a site at the Territory Manor was not so much problematic but just a shambles. It's to do with their park set-out, which can only be described as weird. Its based around a series of toilet blocks, four bathrooms per block. It used to be 2+2 male / female but now its just 4 unisex bathrooms. The trouble is that there are 8 sites radiating out from each block, giving you the inevitable pie-wedge shaped sites. They are not all the same size, some are huge some tiny, most have a tree or something in just the wrong place, but hey, it adds to the character of the van park. We watched the barramundi being fed by the kids, under supervision of course, had some lunch and then hit the springs. They are wonderful as usual. That's all folks, big day tomorrow as we head seriously south, aiming for Banka Banka Station and cooler nights. YAY(jb)

No post yesterday, Banka is one of those lovely places where they don't have power, phones or internet (and definitely no freddos, still looking). What they do have is peace and quiet, the best natural spring water in copious amounts and a lovely 2km walk to their own billabong. The billabong was much fuller than last year and naturally some snaps were taken: Cudjenbra Billabong, Banka Banka NT It's not what you think! My shirt was donated to make a nice little cushion for someone with blistered bleeding feet, dodgy knees and a hip quickly freezing up! Cudjenbra Billabong, Banka Banka NT  Cudjenbra Billabong, Banka Banka NT  Move Over! I'm coming round! Banka Banka NT Banka Banka NT The top of the ridge trail to the 'bong. Not for the faint hearted! Banka Banka NT Banka Banka NT Everything looks better by moonlight. Banka Banka NT But wait, there's more.... Up and at it early today, got a long way to go. Pulled o...

Sad days indeed. We had to drag ourselves away from Darwin, could have just stayed and stayed. Doing nothing mostly, but winkling out all those little local secrets they don't feature in the glossy brochures. Went back to Berry Springs again yesterday, took our woggles/noodles and our goggles this time. There are a few fish floating about just around your feet: Spotted Scats, Striped grunter, Archer fish and mullet, plus wee little tiny ones in schools. Left Darwin about 9 this morning, stopped at Adelaide River for a cup of tea and then pushed on through to Katherine. We are starting to feel like locals, it's the 7th time we've been through there. Had a nice lunch at the Coffee Club before venturing out to do battle with the buffeting headwinds again. It's only 90km from Katherine to Mataranka, so we dawdled a bit, didn't even give chase to the 4 carriage road train that pulled out in front of us. Got the van parked and went straight to the Bitter Springs for a...

Early start of a big long day of 460k, passing safely the dreaded Elliot, scene of the start of the car trouble last year. I am still wondering how I did the same trip (from Tennant Creek) last year, having been up throwing up all night. I remember, drive on or spend more time in TC!  Made it into Mataranka and went to our van park from last year, Territory Manor, got settled in and headed for the Bitter Springs for an hour or so floating along in the warm (33deg) crystal clear water. Stretched across the stream all the way along are spider webs with giant orb spiders in residence, one of who was busily webbing up a freshly caught electric-blue dragon fly.  Dining out this evening, same as we did last time (for our 39 th anniversary), except we both hope to be well enough to enjoy it this time. Snap free day! Not so fast, Judy snapped this at our morning rest stop: The station pet was a Brahman bull, you could pat him on the head.... Actually this was at ...