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Dear all,
Well I left Darwin and did a really cool 3.5 day camping trip down to Alice Springs:
Day 1: Went to Litchfield National Park, saw magnetic termite mounds, which were huge and swam in watering holes - Buley Rock hole and Florence Falls. We also saw Wangi Falls, which was very pretty, but we couldn't swim there as it is croc season. In the evening we camped at Adelaide River and I met 'Charlie' the buffallo, famed for being tamed by Mick Dundee! Unfortuanetl though I couldn't work my Dr Doolittle magic on Charlie, as he was stuffed! Camping was a nightmare, as it was so hot and myself and Charlotte, the girl I was sharing a tent with, spent at least an hour trying to find a position where our limbs had no contact with our body!
Day 2: We drove to Katherine and I took a boat trip along the river in Katherine Gorge, which was spectacular. It was particularly amazing when the Flying Fox bats, who were resting in the trees, awoke when the engine of the boat started and filled the sky with their wings and their squeals! Afternoon was spent at Mataranka Hot Springs, where we took a long dip, before setting up camp. It was a really nice little pool, though a little scary when we looked up and saw cobwebs stretching across the length of the pool, with large white spiders in the middle of them. Irish boy/King of Ugga Bugga (He was actually christened Dan, but was rarely called this on the trip!) found it particularly funny to splash the spiders when swimming underneath them, though I did not! In the evening - after catching a bit of The Brits - we sat round our tents, chatting and drinking which was nice. A chap called Andy (he is on a years honeymoon with his wife Madeleine...wow!) got rather piddled and it was fun to watch someone more drunk than myself for a change. Tonight wasn't as hot, but I got bitten loads!
Day 3: Passed WWII airfields and Tennant's Creek and onto a fantastic pub called Daly Waters. It has actually been designated a heritage site, which is funny being that it was built in 1930, my house is older than that! Inside the pub there is not an inch of wall left that hasn't been covered with odds and sods from passing travellers; bras, pants, baseball caps, photos, money - we counted over 100 pounds! - hostel cards etc it's really wierd, but keeps you looking. Welshy there was even a massive Welsh flag in there, I took a picture! After our stop here we drove onto Wauchope, pronounced walk up, and quickly set up camp before going onto the Devil's Marbles. The aboriginals believe these round rock formations to have been eggs layed by an ancient serpent...well worth a look.
Day 4: Most of the day was spent driving, to enable us to arrive in Alice Springs for lunch, though we did have a few interesting stop offs! Wycliffe Well (Jan/Caras thanks for the warning!) was were I was nearly abducted. It is alleged to be the most frequented area to be visited by aliens in Australia...a little odd! Onto Ti-Tree where we visited Red Sands Art Gallery, where I bought myself yet another stubby holder (I'm building myself a collection!) and finally a stop at The Tropic of Capricorn, which I also crossed in WA.
In the afternoon Dan, Petra, Charlotte and I checked into Melanka's Hostel and after we had eaten lunch and I had booked my next trip, leaving the very next day, Charlotte and I visited The School of the Air. Here teachers conduct lessons via radio and satalite computers to children living in remote areas of Australia who are unable to get to school. It's pretty amazing. We saw an afterschool fundraising club being set up. Toby aged 7 became treasurer, so I'm not sure how well they will do!
In the evening the gourp on the trip met up at Bojangles for dinner and drinks, which was a great night. It was particualry special because they operate a live broadcast on the Internet and after a few phonecalls my Mum saw me waving at her from the other side of the world! She was so excited she waved back bless her!
My late night nearly cost me my trip the next day. I was meant to meet at 6:15am, but I didn't wake up until 6:20 (I'm getting more like my brother as I go on). I was so shocked, but luckily I had packed everything the day before, so I just had to throw my clothes on. Lucky Dan was asleep though, as he would have got an eye fall - I stripped off in my panic! Anyway, luckily I made it....
Love you all
Lynds x x
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