Day 158 - 161 20th July - 23 July 2012

Day 158 Friday 20^th July 2012.

Breaky done, packed the “little snail shell” (caravan) and on the road by 8.30AM.

Headed towards Litchfield NP. From Katherine Gorge NP to our destination is approximately 230K’s. Not a lot happens whilst we travel. Generally have the CD cranked up to almost maximum and simply take in the sights along the way. In some ways I almost feel like I am “spaced” out.

Lunch at Adelaide River Hotel was very interesting. Vania ordered a Buffalo Burger and I ordered a “Vegie Quiche” with chips and salad. Well Vania got a bonus with her meal. As soon as she bought her burger outside there must have been at least 1 million flies on top of her meal. How come she was so lucky? I didn’t have one! Not to say the least Vania couldn’t eat her meal and decided to sit in the protection of the car. Whilst this was going on I enjoyed my meal and drink (without any flies).

About 65K’s from Litchfield NP I stopped at a “town” called Bachelor where I filled up WDU564 (she to gets very thirsty – too thirsty). Vania went in and paid and returned with a sausage roll for herself and an ice cream for me. By the way, Vania didn’t get the bonus flies this time.

Within Litchfield NP there are several “campsites”. We decided to go to Wangi Falls campground, simply because it had toilets and showers. We arrived about 3.00PM and out of the 34 caravan camp spots there were only 2 or 3 left vacant. Very, very popular place. We were extremely lucky to get a spot.

After setting up our “little snail shell” again we went to see Wangi Falls which are only 300 metres from the campsite. Wow! Awesome sight. Two falls cascading into a water pool.  There were also short walks around the “waterhole” and on the “tree top” walk 5 wild pigs (4 legged variety) ran across our path. There was 1 male with fairly large “tusks”. I certainly was not going to get in his way. Additionally on this walk we also saw lots and lots of large bats. Boy did they stink!

We will probably stay here 2/3 nights before heading into the big smoke (Darwin). There are lots to see around here as well. Other waterfalls, huge termite nests, the lost city(???), 4 WD tracks, etc……..

So once again it’s goodbye from Vania and Oscar till the next time. Take care guys in “blog” land. We love you all. Cheers.

PS Happy birthday to my Mum today and happy birthday to my youngest son Nathan for tomorrow. Thinking of you lots. Lots of love.

One of the many wtaerfalls and waterholes in Litchfield NP

Board walk at Wangi Falls. There were bats and wild pigs in here

Water flowing through a hollow log

Wangi Falls

Adelaide River hotel. This is were thye flies took off with Vania's Buffalo burger. Obviously the flies prefer meat to "vegies".

Wangi Falls. There was actually a pool of warm water about 6 feet up from the left hand water fall.

Board walk u[ from Wangi falls.

Bower birds nest. He had collected shells, glass, plastic, silver foil and whatever he could find that was shiny to attract the female. What us males go through!

One of the hundreds of bats at Wangi falls.

Day 159 Saturday 21^st July 2012.

Firstly and most importantly “happy birthday NATHAN” (my youngest son). We will talk as soon as I have communications.

Off this morning to do the sights in Litchfield NP. Lots to do and see. Please forgive me if I don’t name all the waterholes and waterfalls and swamps and swimming holes and  ……  Many beautiful places in Litchfield. I have to congratulate the Northern Territory administrators for maintaining beautiful facilities in the park. Everything is well signposted, pathways are well defined and toilets are remarkably clean. BBQ facilities are great as well.

WDU564 got her feet wet as well today with a fairly significant water crossing. WDU564 also had to do more “bl**dy” corrugations. Actually WDU564 is getting much, much better at handling them.

The waterfalls and the waterholes in Litchfield are superb. Great swimming in the waterholes. During the wet season it is not possible to swim in these areas.  The waterfalls are massive and the waterholes are very treacherous.  The waterholes also get “salty” crocodiles in them during the wet season.

Back to the campsite after a full day of “adventuring” to have a hot shower. Tomorrow will be a quiet one before we head closer to Darwin on Monday.  Hate to sound like a “broken record” but for those that have the time and the inclination this part of Oz is absolutely fantastic. Get out there and enjoy your country!

OK, that’s it for me. Cheers from Vania and Oscar. Take care and love you all.

"Bluey" watyerhole in Litchfield NP

Bluey Waterhole.

One of the many crustal clear creeks in the NP

The "Lost City". Sandstone boulders in the middle of no where. Great 4 wheel driv

Termite nests. These are the "flat" variety. The face North / South to minimise the amount of sun hitting on the nest. This is the way they control the heat inside the nest. Very clever these termites.

Bluey Waterhole. Great to see so many people enjoying thye crystal clear fresh water.

And again. Note people relaxing in water.

Another waterfall. Could not get to the base of this as it was the home of some protected "bats".

Yet another waterfall and waterhole.

Reflections of how life used to be!

Another huge rock in the "Lost City" (in Litchfield)

The arrow indicates that the "Lost City" has been found. Thank God!

Swamp. This was one of the "low highlights" for me at Litchfield.

Yeh! Another water fall and waterhole. I swam in quiet a few of the water holes. Lovely clear refreshing water.

Have you ever seen an ant with a green BUM? Boy can they bight!

Indication of how high some of these termite nest can be. This one is about 5 metres tall and supposedly 50 years old. This one is NOT North / South oriented.

Day 160 Sunday 22^nd July 2012.

Very quiet day today. The only activity today was doing the relatively short walk around Wangi Falls. DEC (Department of Environment and Conservation) were having a “burn off” in the area and it was extremely smokey all day.

Despite not doing much today we did manage to have a roast Pork. Mmm, mmm delicious. The Cobb oven works like a dream. The only complaint that I have is Vania insists on poring “beer” into the moat. Bloody good beer going to waste as far as I am concerned. Why can’t I use water? If I stop my grumbling I have to admit the roast and vegies were absolutely fantastic.

Buggerised round with the car a little bit in the afternoon and cut myself a template (out of cardboard) to fit over the air intake. Reason being is that if we ever cross DEEP water crossing in addition to my tarpaulin I wioll use the template as well. If water gets inside my motor I am STU**ED.

Of towards Darwin tomorrow. Picked a Caravan park about 60K’s south of Darwin. Fairly cheap and meant to be extremely nice. Will report tomorrow.

Till next time take care. Cheers from Vania and Oscar.

Vania's "arty farty" of vegetation in the clear water ways.

Another "arty Farty"

This is the "Bower" bird. I believe this is the male as "he" was building the nest to attract the female.

Both NT and WA have extensive burn offs. They completly char the whole landscape. Esential. With the wet session all the vegetation comes back.

Looking down onto the campsite at Wangi Falls in Kitchfield NP. Note the heavy smoke cover.

One of the many varieties of birds. This bird actually had a red bum.

Day 161 Monday 23^rd July 2012.

We packed our “little snail shell” up and moved on relatively late for us (9.00AM). Not a worry as we were only travelling about 110-120K’s. There was a shorter route  to “Tumbling Waters Holiday Park”, however I chose not do do this as some of the distance was on “gravel road”. I don’t see the point of saving 30-40K’s driving on gravel roads. The potential damage that can be caused on gravel roads FAR outweigh the savings in distance. I suppose I’ll have to change my mind when we get to do the “Development Road” to Cape York in Queensland. The big difference there is that I won’t be towing our little “snail shell”.

Lady luck must be with us on this journey. Arrived at the caravan park relatively early thinking we would be able to get in no worries as we were so early. Oh no. No vacancies, especially powered sights. Managed to sweet talk the lady at reception and she organised that we have a look at a few “possible” unpowered sights. Well blow me down. Managed to find a GREAT spot with flattish ground, semi tropical shade and well away from the maddening crowd. Great spot. Only initial concern was if I was confident enough to back it into a relatively “tight” spot. Bit the bullet and backed the “snail shell” in without any hassles.

The only issue we may have is that this is in a “tropical” setting and we have a “dry” creek bed next to the caravan with a bit of “stagnant” water. Great breeding spot for mosquitoes. Vania has already been bitten 3 times.

I booked in for 3 nights however I wouldn’t be surprised if we stay much longer. We have communication and we are planning to use this as a base to tour Darwin. WDU564 is getting a service on Wednesday so there will not be any requirement to move on before then. This caravan park offers lots of activities as well. The 3 that I am looking forward to are Croc. Feeding (they have a lagoon here with 12 fresh water Crocs., Bocce and the open “Deckchair Cinema”. I have already put my “opera net” in the nearby “billabong” and will see what I have caught (if anything) tomorrow.

Till then take care in “blog” land. Lots of love. Take care from Vania and Oscar.

Campsite 33 at Litchfield NP. We were lucky when we arrived as there were only 1-2 left.

"Arty Farty" again!

Vania finally managed to get a butterfly that would pose for her long enough to take a photo.

Our new home at "Tumbling Waters Holiday Park". Great spot!

That "thing" in the middle is fresh water crocodile. They have a "billabong" here at the park with about 12 crocs. They have a feed session once a week. Hoping to see that.