Matranka /Katherine/Ti Tree

Day 14 – Matranka
Barra Feeding/Thermal Pools/Barra Fishing
We started our day by watching the Barra in the Billabong being feed. They hand feed these fellows, and Darryl asked if anyone would like to give it a go. Mike volunteers. He succeeded in feeding one of them, lost a bit of skin off his finger. The day gets better.
Off to the Thermal Pools, Bitter Springs was just up the road, this is a natural swimming pool. Very erry as we walk up the path. I was not at all sure of going into this water. Finally took the plunge and it was fantastic, mind you did not venture far from the steps. The boys decided to do the swim up the creek where you climb a ladder to exit. John took the lead and Mike was following behind filming under water. He said he got the fright of his life when we felt this slimy thing rubbing against his chest. He swam as fast as he could up stream. Just another of Michael’s adventures for the day.
Next stop was the Matranka Thermal Pool, this is man-made and feeds from a spring upstream. Once again I was not keen at even entering this park, bats lots of bats, 200,000 bats hanging from the palm trees. John insisted I go so off we went slowly. It was an amazing place and I am now glad I did do it. The pool was nice and clean and we ended staying there for quite sometime. There was a young family swimming and the little girl took me down towards the gate where she assured me
We then had a snack on the verandah of the old homestead where the movie “We of the Never Never” was filmed.
The boys had been very patient all day so it was off to do some Barra fishing. Once again I was not keen on walking through the bush to the Roper River especially when the signs are warning you about freshwater crocs and maybe some salties. Off we went and it didn’t seem that bad. I was well back from the bank. The boys threw in their lines and all was going well until Mike got a snag, moved closer to the edge to retrieve his lure when all of a sudden his feet went from under him and yes he was it this river. The worst part he could not get his grip to get back out, so Trice goes to his rescue and she also slips (not in the river), then I try and help and find myself slipping. I am not sure how but Mike managed to get out and we were all wrecks. You may ask where was John – he was upstream fishing and finally comes to see what’s going on. He did take photos of the three of us covered in mud. After all this , it was time to pack up and head home before anything else happened to Mike.
We ended the day having dinner together, along with a few drinks.

Day 15 – Mataranka to Katherine
Katherine - We arrived Sunday lunch time from Mataranka it was a short drive only 112 klms. We booked into The Shady Lane Caravan Park. Very very nice, 5kms out of town so it is very relaxing. We are staying here for three nights. It is good to have a break from driving.
We had a relaxing afternoon, did some shopping to restock the cupboards. Michael got hold of the clippers and took to Johnny’s hair, he now has a haircut he had when he was a schoolboy. Few drinks and then off to bed as had to leave here 8.15am to drive to where we had booked a cruise on the gorge.
Dat 16 – Katherine Gorge
We were expecting to be the only ones, but to our surprise there were 47 people on board. Our guides name was Taffey, happy gentlemen with a snowy white beard. We can only see two of the thirteen gorges today as they have not opened the other cruises. The first gorge was not as impressive as I thought it would be. We then left the boat and walked for a few hundred metres to board a second boat. This boat took us into the second gorge which is spectacular when we were just gliding along is was very quiet and spiritual. We were lucky enough to see one freshwater croc lying under some bushes in the sand.
This gorge feeds from the Gulf it is just amazing how far this water comes from. The guide told us that the river can flood even though there is no rain here at Katherine.
Day 17 – Katherine – Edith Falls
Today we tackled the walk to Edith Falls upper pool. Even though it was only 1km it was steep and lots of steps. It was well worth the effort. The waterfall was beautiful and there was a big pool which the rangers had only opened the day before. Trice and I just sat on the rocks on the edge the boys were a bit more adventurous. You had to be careful you didn’t get caught in the current. Yes you are thinking how did Mike go well he got caught and it took the three of us to hold onto him and drag him back to the edge. All in all we had a great time. After our swim it was off to trek back down to the car. We went and had a look at the lower swimming pool which was still closed. Apparently the crocs come in during the wet and they do not open them for swimming until they have done their checks. We checked out Knott’s crossing on the way back, some locals were there Barra fishing. When we got home the boys walked out the back gate to check out the river, they said it was a bit muddy.
Day 18 – Katherine
Today, Trice and Mike headed off the Darwin, we all felt quite sad. John and I decided to head down to Alice Springs. John and I spent the morning doing some housework etc. Off to town to stock up on some meat and food. We took a drive in the afternoon, visited Springvale Homestead, i t was closed but we were able to drive around the complex. John tried his luck at Barra fishing in the Katherine River at a place called low level. No luck. As we were leaving a storm came from nowhere, by the time we got home everything we had left outside was wet. Not fun.
Day 19 –20 Katherine – Renner Springs – Ti Tree
Today we start our trip to Alice Springs – the roads are long and straight. We spent the night at Renner Springs, this is a roadhouse with caravan park attached. This fellow Brian assist you in getting set up. He helps with the power and water and goes on to tell us about the good food they offer especially the rissoles and gavy. We did take him up and enjoyed a nice meal. We were both in bed at 8.20pm – first time ever for John and I. We were on the road by 9am this morning. As we travel south the landscape is changing. We saw a dingo on the side of the road, first time since we left home. Pretty uneventful day and we are staying at the caravan park at Ti Tree, once again a roadhouse come pub but open the gate and here is an oasis of green grass. Not a bad spot at all.
Just had a phone call from Trice and yes Mike in more trouble, he has had a sore ear and turns out some bug decided to lodge itself in his ear and die. He has been to the doctor and had it removed. Poor Mike.