Next stop was Litchfield. We didn't do Kakadu because several people had told us was it more of a kakadon't. Not that we believe everything people told us but we had to make a choice and Litchfield won out. How does one describe the beauty - I don't think I can. Have a look at the picture and see what you think.

What was amazing (apart from me making a vow to myself that I would get into every water hole) was that these water holes and waterfalls are there at all! We walked to Wangi falls, swam in Florence falls and Buley's pools that looked like school was out for summer. The serenity was not there but the potential was! Greenant falls was different. We were actually swimming at the top of the falls and when looking over the edge it was a shear drop of about 100 meters. The picture is there too.

The next day Ma decided not to come, so we went 4WDriving. We parked the car at the beginning of the road to Blythe homestead and hiked it! We decided to throw caution to the Gods. We walked through the bush and it is amazing what you see. No one warned us about the water crossing! Not even the ranger that passed us twice! I'll bet he was piss'n himself because he knew what was coming up. We crossed the overflowing river, despite the potential hungry crocs, blood sucking leaches and virus infested mossies that would have loved to have feasted on my sweet skin, they must have been having a siesta. Girls, I haven't let you know that I am covered in mossie bites but don't worry the red welts are blending into the tan.

Blyte homestead was the camp for the tin mine workers. It was owned by the Blythes who were randy rabbits breeding 14 kids in 27 years. Thank god for tv because the world would not be able to handle the population the boredom of outback Australia could produce. Next stop was the most beautiful falls and pool that we have seen. I think because we had it all to ourselves for about an hour. We were separated from the world and all our ears could hear was the birds and the crashing water. I got into this pool and nearly treat water....it was freezing. We braved the swim to the fall and climbed the rock and dived into the bottomless crystal clear pool. My God, what a feeling! You cannot imagine the beauty of these places. We had it all to ourselves! We savoured it for as long as we could , when some others came we went on to Tolmer falls. No Swimming in bottom falls but that didn't stop me from getting into the top ones. You can see by the picture of me in my own chair that it was a fairly special place. I forgot to mention the caravan park we were staying in was serving free sausage sizzle every night! No BYO of course to the pub but the sentiment of hospitality was there and every second night the German Herb would bring his organ out (keyboard you filthy people) and play all the oldies for all to sing along to. Mum and I went one of the nights and had a laugh so hard that mum almost peed her pants!

Enough time spent there , off to Edith falls and Douglas hot springs. You may recall me talking about Douglas hot springs and how keen I was to get back there and have a dip 20 years later. It has not changed and I am also happy to report that it still remains quite unaffected by the tourist explosion. The stream is a little flood damaged but otherwise spectacular. The water bubbles out of the stream bed at 60 degrees, it then travels about 20 meters to the cold stream. There you can enjoy the heat of the spring or the cold of the stream or, sit in the middle for a bit of both. That's what we did but I did get into the hot one for moment just to enjoy it once again.

Edith falls has to be the one of the top spots that must be seen to be believed. It is made up of 3 pools cascading down through the rocks until it finally rests in the huge pool at the camp site. There it was a little too cold to get in and as we were on a bit of a schedule we had to hike it to the top pools. Well, we were not disappointed and nor would the girls! Heaps of US soldiers on days off were also enjoying the falls. Not a bad way to spend the day, beautiful pools to swim in and not such bad lot to have a perve on either.

Mataranka and Bitter springs are thermal pools, the temperature is a constant 34 degrees. We stayed at the Bitter springs caravan park which was very nice but I have to confess I was not impressed with the loos, they were unisex and you know some boys like to shake their willy to get rid of the dribbles but they fail to realise they are shaking their pee all over the floor...YUK. Bitter springs is a stream that is totally natural without man intervention except for3 ladders for ease of getting in and out. The water is warm and the stream has a nice steady flow that takes you on a trip down through the bush and to the exit point where you get out and do it all over again. We did on the first night come across an aboriginal family that was fishing in the creeks. One little piccaninny running around the bush naked as the day he was born but a huge cheeky smile on his face. Mum was fishing from the side of the road and the other little boy had his hand line in the other creek fishing for 'stripe ones'. Mum was catching all the fish but they were all having a great time. The caravan park is also full of wallabies and roos, I got the fright of my life when I went to go to the loo and as I was walking back through ma and Da's camp I startled a wallaby at their front door. It's nature girls and boys, we have to share , even with the cane toads that I am seeing quite a lot of. Mataranka is a famous thermal pool and it has got more popular and busy since the last time I was there. It is still a beautiful place. Dad tells us that when he was living up there he use to go to the pools after gaining permission from the Else station owners and swim by car light.

Pretty special moments to be had. Miss you too much Miranda and Happy Birthday, sorry I forgot ..... just a little busy seeing Australia!