On the day of departure from Darwin and Howard Springs
we both had appointments at 9.00am at the Howards Springs Hair Dresser. Most of
the van was packed the night before and we pulled out and parked it down by the
Hair Dressers shop across from the local IGA.
I was first cab off the rank in a lovely appointed
salon with one young hair dresser on duty. We had a great chat about TAFE Training
which she had appreciated, as in her own words she struggled at school and just
needed to leave and get into some hands on learning. Her claim was that TAFE in
the NT did this very well and she started to enjoy learning. It is quite sad
that many students feel let down by the schooling system. The main problem
seems to be that teachers and schools focus on academic pathways for students
ignoring that a high percentage of their students need experiential learning
from people who have worked in the trade and semi professional areas of vocational
study.
Australia is seen world wide as being leaders in
Vocational Learning models. It is such a pity this is not recognised by
Australian Policy makers who all seam hell bent on cutting funding to TAFE and
other Vocational Educational providers.
It was not long and Dallas had her hair cut and we
were back on the road again headed for Litchfield via Palmerston and Batchelor. We
arrived at Litchfield Falls at approximately 12.45pm. What a great opportunity
to cool off with a swim in the billabong at the base of the Wangi Falls, it was
cool and very refreshing. Soon after we walked out to a viewing platform and
saw the falls and the billabong from a different perspective.
 |
| The site of the first Overland Telegraph pole at Palmerston NT |
 |
| Swimming in Litchfield Wangi Falls |
 |
| Litchfield Wangi Falls |
Soon we were back in the car and heading out to
Adelaide River and on to Pine Creek, Pussy Cat Flats caravan park at the Pine
Creek Race Course. This place is a real oasis for those travelling particularly
the Grey Nomads. Again they were busy with many visitors who opted for their
delightful dinner matched with beautiful white or red “Grey Nomad” wine from
the Adelaide Hills. We joined the table of Tim and Sue from Bendigo and their
friends Klaus and his wife. We had a great night talking about our respective
travels and a fair bit of tennis as Klaus was an ex Wimbledon tennis umpire.
 |
| We camped right on the finish line at the Pine Creek Race Course |
 |
| The greens of the "Pussy Cat Flat" Golf Course |
 |
| The Race course dining room |
 |
| The dining area sells beautiful Gray Nomad wine from the Adelaide Hills |
Next morning we all bid each other farewell and went
our separate ways. We were headed for Katherine to do the cruise in the
Katherine Gorge and take a look at the local museum which was strongly
recommended to us by Donna, Dallas long time friend.
On arrival we set up and then went and booked our
Cruise for the following morning. After doing this we went into town and did
some grocery, chemist and camp equipment shopping. All essentials you need to
stock up on when travelling. Then drove out to Katherine Gorge so we knew where
we had to meet the cruise boat. On the return drive we called into an
Aboriginal Art Gallery and then the Katherine Museum. Both were a great
experience and again I caught up on some ongoing research re Dad’s and the Australian
army’s time in the top end during the late 1930’s and early 1940's.
 |
| An Anzac gift artifact in the Katherine Museum |
 |
| Some old earthmoving equipment at the Katherine Museum |
 |
| a carpenters and plumbers work shop Katherine Museum |
 |
Dr Clyde Fentons own Flying Doctor aircraft with which
he established Katherine's own Flying Doctor Service. |
 |
| Dr Clyde Fenton |
Returning to the camp ground we decided to walk down
to the Katherine Springs pool/s which was a short walk out the back gate of the
Caravan Park we were in. This was a recommendation from Klaus as he had enjoyed
the springs in the previous few days when staying in Katherine.
 |
Yours truly swimming in the Katherine
springs |
 |
| Katherine Springs |
Next morning at 5.30am (retirement is really easy!) we drove out to Katherine Gorge
and at 6.30am boarded the boat that was to take us to the second gorge landing.
Quite amazing how they move these boats in and out of the gorges given cyclones
and monsoonal rain flooding.
I will let the pictures of the gorge do the talking.
A video of the 2nd Gorge in Katherine.
 |
| An eagle in flight watched by a galah |
 |
| Flora around Katherine |
 |
| Canoes at the ready in Katherine Gorge |
 |
| We set off up stream in Katherine Gorge |
 |
| The Gorge opens up |
 |
Aboriginal rock paintings in the Gorge
above and below |
 |
| Reflections in the Gorge |
 |
| A Freshwater Crocodile watching from its sunny lair! |
After the Katherine Gorge cruise we high tailed it
back to our Caravan Park and hitched on to head west and get on our way to Kununurra.
