Cloncurry after Mt Isa

After a day's driving across big, flat nothing, the boys enduring a day's ban on iPad movies for some misdemeanor or other, we finally pull into Katter country at Mt Isa. This is a town so linked to mining industry that the mines are the centre of town. And so far from anywhere that the white arrow pointers to various cities have no fewer than a thousand kilometres on any arrow. It is late in the day, but after checking out one caravan park, Matt suggests we keep driving another 110km to Cloncurry. He just has a 'bad feeling' about Mt Isa. We can only get the kids back on the car by breaking the iPad ban... Driving through some prehistoric looking mountains and forest, as the late afternoon sun makes the gum trees glow in that special way, I turn to Matt and say something like "eucalypts look their best as the sun goes down". To which Matt tries to get away with, "yeah, that's why I wanted to keep driving.. So you wouldn't miss this..."

Cloncurry has a similar 'feel', but we have no choice. The tent is pitched efficiently, and I felt confident there would be no rain... A celebratory dinner (new nephew Nicholas Preston born!) required the kids to have a bit of grooming - hair getting long enough to need brushing and probably detangling spray. Luckily there was a TV behind Matt's right shoulder to distract them. Shortly after going to bed a very impressive lightning storm started. Some wine had helped numb my anxiety until the lightning and thunder struck simultaneously and blew the street light next to our tent... There was some discussion about waking the kids to sit in the car while the storm blows over. But two children woken from their deepest REM sleep turned out to be scarier than being struck by lightning.

Back to the 'Minor setback tally' for a moment. The fridge turned out to be easy to fix. A 4WD shop guy in Darwin came out to the car and removed a small red ring from the cigarette lighter in the boot (where the fridge plugs in). He smiled and said, "you'll be right now mate.. It designed for the other brand of car fridge..". Chalking up another 'dumb Victorian' story for the pub that night.
The tent does still leak a bit, but we now know where the drips are, and are learning to place bodies and bags accordingly.
A new setback is 'front seat passenger's neck'. Everyone cheers on the Driver's efforts (admittedly 10,000km in 5-6 weeks is a lot), but spare a thought for the co-pilot. 10,000km of always turning to the right to provide stimulating conversation, check everyone's comfort, pass things to kids (and remove weapons), play chess, navigate etc, turns out to cause significant pain. Future road-trippers, you have been warned.

Across the border

We are a little behind on our posts and will fill in Litchfield, Mataranka part two, Cape Crawford and Barkly Homestead later.

Right now we are in Camooweal enjoying coffee and a book exchange at the local store. We had been told this was a place to skip but found the store and storekeeper friendly and welcoming.

Will and Hamish were oddly excited to be entering Queensland - something about the Ginger factory and spending time with cousin Emmet. It's a bit scary how excited Will gets when we see a town on the horizon.

Darwin

Spent a relaxing few days in Darwin. Caught up with Jenny and family, Anthony and Paul Shelley. Discovered a fun wave pool - boys liked it so much we went three times. Dinner with a sunset, Parap market and nice apartment with two pools !

It is OK...

I can't do freestyle anyway! says Hamish as he happily bounds off to the edge of a billabong. He can't read either but he knows a red line through the symbol means it is not allowed.

Kakadudledoo!

Below are some shots from our time in Kakadu. (Crediting the title of this post to Pa Preston)

#1. We have hundreds of photos of the ancient aboriginal rock art, but the boys were so inspired by an educational video on Kakadu that they spent much of our walks making their own 'art' by tying fallen pandanus leaves into intricate knots. They were trying to weave baskets. Especially when they discovered the retail value is approx $200.

#2. and #7. are examples of schoolwork being done. So rare that it was deemed photo-worthy. This reminds me of a recent conversation that went like this:
P (after double espresso): "I am going to miss you boys when you have to go to school next year!"
(pause..while we all consider the implications of never going back..)
P: "Will, what is your back-up plan if we do not take you back to school for a proper education?" "I mean, how will you earn money when you are older?"
W: "Ummm.. I'll... invent the Nose-Picker!"
H: "Yeah! With soft edges so it doesn't hurt your nose! ...What's a back-up plan?" (patent pending, so don't be trying to steal their idea, OK?)

#3. Yep. Big termite mounds here. Discussed the future of human architecture and energy efficiency with boys. Eyes glazing over and were utterly incredulous that people have anything to learn from insects and 'nature'...Not anymore.

#4. Climbing up a steep rocky path on side if big cliff, wearing Crocs and carrying black umbrella, to this series of croc-free rock-pools at the top of Gunlom Falls, did not inspire confidence in the other hikers when they saw I was also responsible for two smallish boys. Swimming near the edge of the massive drop was perhaps a little unwise, but we all survived, and the view was awesome..

#5. The Hotel Pool. Spent many hours here too. In Kakadu, swimming is like eating. It needs to be done at least 3 times a day to avoid getting grumpy and distracted.

#6. At Maguk Falls, Will and Hamish are under the impression their life vests are croc-proof. We all swim the 100 metres or so to the falls quietly humming the Jaws theme. In fact, it has inspired a new game called the "der-nernt-er". A type of tag game where the chaser sings the Jaws theme. I'm sure everyone has a different way of spelling the sounds. But hopefully you know what I mean.

#8. Another loop track at Nourlangie Rock. Each of us could be heard shouting across the land.."why do the flies love ME so much?"
The boys were particularly intrigued with the painting of the Lightning Man who strikes law-breakers over the head with yams (sweet potatoes)...

Photos omitted include the one at Cahill's crossing - two large Salt water crocs hanging out just under the surface of murky water. You wouldn't believe me if you saw the 'logs'. And shots of our campsite - there hasn't been one since Katherine's leaky tent, and if you want to see interiors of hotel rooms you can look at Wotif.com like we did.