We had a restless night last night, we found out that Aiko had had another seizure (she had one 6 weeks ago) – but she was doing ok since having it. Carly took her to the vet at 9.30am this morning, they ran some tests on her and she is doing just fine –that was a relief – felt like a weight lifted 🙂
We left camp before 8am, Greg did the dump point drop as we were leaving!! He is wonderful never complains. And I love not having to use the public toilets and showers. 😛
We headed to Mataranka about 100km south of Katherine. To Territory Manor Motel/campground (looked good – very green have to remember it for next time) At 9.30am every day they feed Barramundi in their pond, they are 2-3 foot long and are fed pilchards, was interesting, I am sure we learnt some info (but I was more interested on waiting on a call from Carly).
I was looking forward to calling into Mataranka, when I was 12 Uncle Joe bought me a book, “We of the Never Never” by Jeannie Gunn (published 1908) – it is set in Mataranka, and is a recreation of actual events, in tropical outback Australia (I will dig it out when we get home and reread it, I am sure it will be more relevant having been here).
We also called into Elsey Station Cemetery, where many of the people in the book are buried and Elsey Homestead (there is only a Carn there in remembrance) where Jeannie Gunn lived.
Then it was back in the car and we were on the way to Daly Waters, we went through Larrimah and saw a sign for Frans Devonshire Tea House, we had read they did good pies so we pulled in. So glad we did – you know the ocker way Australians are portrayed overseas, but you rarely meet anyone like it! Well today we met two people like it!! Such a good day! 😛 The first was Fran in Larrimah – she would have been in her 60’s I would have thought. Her bakery was rather ramshackle, she had lots of signs – on butchers paper and back marker pen – all over the place for what was on offer– She was such a card I could have stayed all day just to be with her! I have never met anyone like her. There were some people there when we got there, they had ordered some pies and a drink and it all looked good. Occupational Health and Safety
could never have visited as Fran would have been shut down! Fran came out and told us we had to sit down, otherwise she got nervous, so we obeyed!! (she was about 5’ tall if that) We were not allowed to go into her (not sure what to call it) looked like a house – we had to wait outside for her to come out- meanwhile she was yelling things from inside!! More people turned up, she was getting a steady flow of customers! She was trying to sell some scones that had just come out of the oven, no-one was buying, so we ordered some and also a cold buffalo pie and egg and bacon pie to take away. She kept saying her, “produce was high quality – no crap here!!”
Fran would not tell you the price of anything, after you had ordered you had to go into what looked like a lounge and she told you what you owed – quite frankly I would have paid the money just to listen and be with her! The pies were $10 ea and the scones were $8.50, not cheap, but as you would expect with so many customers the food was good.
Eventually we had to leave, it was certainly turning into a very good day!
Then we headed on into Daly Waters, there is really only the Pub here, if you want to stay in the caravan park, you have to go to the pub first, same with petrol. The pub is full of character, a lot like the one at William Creek that we enjoyed so much – The caravan park is a bit dusty (and it is full – they are also using the overflow park), but we are only here for one night. There is a WWII airport here, quite a bit left, Greg could tell you more, it is the largest one in NT from WWII (I think) Greg took lots of photos and we drove down the airstrip was over 2km long.
I had a sleep this afternoon, to try and make up for what I missed out on last night and Greg read his book – yes he is on his third
one!!! This is like a minor miracle- think he will finish this one in under a week!!
Greg found a Geocache here, so before heading to the pub for
dinner we did it, our first one in NT! There were muggles around which made it difficult, but we managed!! The McGees are getting around 🙂
We had booked to go to dinner at the pub when we got into town, for $27.50 you got a piece of barra and some scotch fillet and all the
salad and bread you could eat. I was impressed with the quality of the food, was really good. At 7pm there was entertainment in the form of Chillie – our second ocker Aussie for the day (Also in his 60’s). He told a really good yarn, lots of funny jokes and some old bush songs and poems, was very entertaining. When we were at the pub having dinner I commented to Greg how much John and Georgiana would have loved the pub – it is such a shame that you have to drive so far to get to such good Aussie pubs that ooze the character and charm of the outback – Greg commented that John would have had a smile from ear to ear, taking it all in 🙂 And Tom you would have loved Chillie and all of his jokes, we could just hear you laughing along. 🙂
Has been a very memorable day, in the Aussie outback. Greg is sleeping now, so he can add the bits I missed in tomorrows blog. Just want to post this before I turn in for the night. We are off to Tennant Creek tomorrow.
Just want to wish Karlien and Bid a fun time on their cruise, we look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you get
back. Bon Voyage! xo Oh yes and Bid have a happy Fathers Day
while you are away, will have a cheers to you 🙂 Lots of love to you both from us xo
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