Leliyn

First things first...

We knew we'd lose our tomato plant at the border so last thing before driving out, we left it with a family at the caravan park in Darwin where we know it will be nurtured and treated well!

So, onward to the road headed west... but to go west one has to head south towards Katherine. 

Located in the same National Park as Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) is Edith Falls (Leliyn).

It was hot... 35+ so we sat in the shade for two days and did nothing but swim and relax. 

Unfortunately (fortunately?) we'd decided to have a dry week after overdoing it a bit in Bali so cold water and cordial and soft drinks were the order of the day. 

A few fresh water crocs apparently but safe to swim during daylight hours. 

Beautiful. Cool. Refreshing. Very pretty. 

Getting SO much value from our $4 pool noodles!

Bark Hut, Humpty Doo and Darwin

After a week in Kakadu we headed west, back toward Darwin.  Halfway between Kakadu and Darwin is a pub with unpowered camping and a pool. A nice spot to relax for the afternoon. 

Next day we headed a bit farther on back to Humpty Doo where we stayed a week ago.

We had booked the van in to get a wheel alignment done before we head down the west coast. We hadn't noticed a problem but it's been a while since we had it looked at. 

That done, we headed into the city for the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, a huge art exhibition. We bought two paintings, one for us and another for Matt for his 30th birthday. He'd said two years ago to wait till we were travelling to buy something without a gallery taking a significant cut, so a great chance to buy something straight from the community. 

We thought, "Perfect timing. Matt and Lara will bring them back for safe keeping."

Alas, Jetstar's 7kg carry on means it was posted. 

After the night there we headed to Coolalinga to stay while we catch up with Matt and Lara and go to Bali for a week. 

A visit to the Darwin Aviation Museum 

and some shopping, picked up rhe mail and some minor maintenance.

We picked up Matt and Lara. 

Enjoyed a swim at Berry Springs, 

a walk around town and a drink and a swim on the Darwin waterfront,

a swim at the caravan park,

headed in to the Mindil markets

before they headed off to Kakadu and Katherine and Mataranka etc. while we head to Bali. 

where we bought the usual crap.

Not all crap, though.

Go the (Balmain) Tigers!

So good to see them. 

They headed back to Sydney and we continued to head west. 

Kakadu

We moved on to Kakadu on the Saturday morning,  about 90 minutes down the road.

Lots of fires burning locally.

It's been hot, so we stayed at a park with a (why are they all so cold?) pool. 

Sunday we went to Cahill's Crossing, where the crocs eat the Barramundi as they come over the weir on the rising tide. 

Amazing! Stayed for two hours just watching and listening to the crack of bones. 

There were a few fishing... it would be accurate to say fishermen but I don't think you're allowed to say that any more.

There was a LOT of crocs!

We learnt the crocs float around with their front legs splayed because it extends their ability to feel the presence of a barra. If one brushes by they turn and snap. 

Just sittings, jaws agape, waiting for a barra to wash over the weir with the tide.

Good spot to fish!

 Good fishing spot. Why DO women live linger than men?

We went to Nourlangie Rock art site and did the circuit walk there. 

We visited Yellow Waters/ Cooinda

We spent an afternoon at Ubirr to see the rock art and catch sunset. 

We spent one day (morning) at a table in the shade by the pool and sorted our tax to send to the accountant. Tick. ✔️  Done.

Spent the afternoon swimming and reading. 

Our final full day , Thursday, drove to Jim Jim Falls in the morning.

About a 30 minute walk up the creek to the falls.

A bit of boulder scrambling to get to the base of the falls.

Happy to see they are actively keeping an eye on crocs (trap)

Coming home there were some good fires close to the road.