Leaving Darwin, June 8, 2012

Yes, that's right, we've hitched up the Mitsubishi MAC truck and after changing the electrical connector on the van we is good to go. Funny feeling though as we had become quite settled in our little possie here at Shady Glen caravan park.

First stop was Adelaide River where we wanted to check out the War Graves Cemetery. It's a really pleasant and peaceful lawn cemetery, the final resting place of 434 men and women killed in action on Australian soil during WW2. It also contains a memorial to the 292 other persons missing in action whose bodies were never found. As you walk around you are struck by the overwhelming young age of these people, most not more than 22. We've become used to the idea of war graves in France and Turkey, but to see them here, right under your own feet on Australian soil is sobering. At one end are the graves of the 9 Post Office Workers, the first civilians to die during the first air raid on Darwin.

Its a tragic place and a poignant reminder of the futility and downright stupidity of war.

We move on. Turned of the Stuart Highway and took the bypass into Pine Creek, a gold mining town, looking for some tucker. This is a real surprise, it's a small but nicely presented town with a history trail and relics of the 'good old days'. Not much open however and we found ourselves in the Lazy Lizard tavern for lunch, a huge hamburger, salad and chips for $10. Worth going back just for that! 

Slid into Katherine about 3, went straight to the van park, back into the same site as last time. Stayed long enough to grab swimmers and headed for the Katherine Springs, our favourite place.

Judith is insisting that we now need to go and get some kultcher at the bistro where some local is playing country and/or western.

Your picture, get a load of that truck!