NOTE:

For those who noticed the Pussy willow tree in the past post, the pussies are not real.

The tree was a prop for a film made in the area and was stuck in the ground near the building. They are not real cats.

But I am sure I saw one flinch when a dog barked closeby.

A LATE PIC OF US BEFORE WE LEFT ALICE

Thursday 17.

Today we made Tennant Creek just on sundown. Got our camp set up and had a cuppa as the sun set.

Not a very interesting drive from Alice but the roads are great.

On the way we came to Wycliffe Well about fourish and met this strange fellow and his vehicle.

THIS CHAP WAS OUT FRONT OF THE ROADHOUSE

WHATS BEHIND THE BLUE DOOR????

HIS MATE IN THE SHOP

Apparently this area of the NT is well known for sightings of UFO's and strange lights in the sky.

Maybe he has something to do with it

The camp here at Tennant Creek is under new management and I think if they work at it the camp should do well.

Tonight we are camped on grass under some smallish trees and there is a slight breeze.

Had stir fry vegetables with honey soy sauce and it was very good even though I do say so my self.

Best thing I brought with us this year is my wok.

Forgot it last time and will always take it from now onwards.

Cutting the veggies thin and small so they cook quick and dinner is ready in a very short time.

Friday 18 and we head up the Stuart Hwy to Daly Waters.

Daly Waters is a couple of pubs and a couple of buildings and Caravan park.

We head off the hwy to the “Daly Waters” pub, as it is known.

THE FRONT OF THE PUB

THE FRONT BAR KNOWN AS THE BRA BAR DUE TO ALL THE BRAS HANGING ABOVE

WONDER HOW THEY COLLECT THEM???

THE DECORATION HERE IS USED UNDIES

There are also caps, business cards, paper money badges etc decorating the walls and ceiling of the pub.

This pub has a history dating back to the 1930's and the great cattle drives of the outback.

Now it is famous for the unique interior and the live music show it has every night.

The caravan park and overflow area fill every night with travellers there for a Barra or Beef, BBQ and of course a cold drink

The current live show is split with a chap dressed like a bikie with the armless denim jacket and his part is singing and reciting verse about many topics.

The second singer is an old rock and roller from way back who sings quite a lot of the oldies and gets the travellers up on their feet or clapping along.

A good feed and a nice nights entertainment.

By 10.00am the next day the parks are just about empty and all are on their way.

Friday

Heading North we are on the way to Katherine, another town with history.

Many years ago this town was part of the Northern Territory and not a state of the country.

Many of the residents were hiding out from the law in other states as there was no extradition agreement with the law in the other states.

Made a couple of stops along the way to have a look at a couple of the local attractions.

This was after talking to a couple at the dinner last night.

WHERE'S THE DRINKS

First was the Pink Panther pub.

Well not exactly the pub, but the free zoo that the owner has around the pub.

Many native birds and animals including a crocodile that was about 4 or 5 metres long.

We were going to have a snack and drink at the pub , but the facilities looked a bit too outback.

Just up the road was another house with boards out the front advertising the best food around with scones and cream, so in we went for morning tea. Nice cuppa with a large scone and a slice of a walnut cake.

Next stop a bit further up the Hwy was “Bitter Springs” at Mataranka.

VERY CLEAR HOT SPRINGS

This is a hot spring flowing through a pool about 50 to 100 metres long and surrounded by palms.

Looked inviting but due to time and travel we have opted to return to the spring on our way back South.

As we heard that the Katherine Show was on that day and all the parks were full we called ahead and found that we could get in at a caravan park on the bank of the river.

On arrival we met the owners who are real outback people and we were to set up our camp on their front lawn in what, with a little work would be a fantastic tropical garden. The lady even made us a cuppa after we had set up camp and her husband entertained us with stories of his experiences with the local aboriginals and setting up their property. We were invited to a family BBQ that night as all their family were in town.

After the cuppa we went to have a look at the local Katherine Annual show.

Like a scaled down Melbourne show.

Looked at some of the art works etc and had a late lunch which was a baked potato with salad and sour cream.

Wandering around in the heat an ice cream sounded pretty cool but after they came, it turned out to be two huge servings in a waffle cone and filled us up and cancelled any thought of dinner.

Off to the grandstand to watch some horse activities until it was time to head back to our camp.

Heading off to our nightly shower before bed was an experience not to be missed..

We were shown where the toilets were but in the dark it looked very different.

Wandering around we came to a building as a chap came out. He showed us that the building was indeed the toilets and showers, oh but we sure got a shock and couldn't wait to get out of there. I have no idea  how old they were but obviously there has never been any maintenance done on them.

The rest you had to experience.

Next day we packed and left as quick as we could.

Into town for some milk and supplies and off we go towards Kununurra.

VICTORIA RIVER ROADHOUSE

Part way down the Hwy we stopped at Victoria River for a cuppa.

Lovely spot in the middle of a national park surrounded by rocky cliffs.

Had a cuppa and a huge chocolate cookie about the size of a bread and butter plate for only $3.50.

It was made by the young lass serving behind the counter and yummy.

OVERLOOKING THE VICTORIA RIVER

The above pic was just down the road from the roadhouse.    A bit of a surprise to see so much water in a river way out here.   It is also a CROC river so no swimming signs are posted.

Further down the track we calculated that we would reach Kununurra that night but had a lot of fruit and vegs in the fridge.

About 4.00pm we came to another local national park so we went in to the rangers station and put the camp stoves on and cooked up some vegs and tuna for dinner and put all our excess vegs in the fridge,  to heat the next night.

The vegs had to be cooked or they would have been taken by the fruit fly people on the border.

As it was they took our cucumber, onions, celery and half a jar of honey.

The chap who went through our car and trailer also took our peelings from the cooked vegs but did not want me to put the vegs in with the scraps when I offered. Maybe he wanted a couple of onions for his dinner.

Down the road and we arrived in Kununurra just after dark and made our way to the camp site.

Set up camp and had a cuppa

We now have our washing in the laundry and blogging and reading before we get to bed.

Tomorrow we head cross country towards Broome and some rest from the travel.