A test run...

A test run using video, please let us know if it works...

From the Desert to Water Parks...

A catch up of photos from Katherine to Darwin.

 Spider's view of The Marbles

 Our Dingo friend prior to being startled...

 So we won't mention Bathurst but happy birthday Jacob,Peter and Jackson!  Here we are at Pine Creek at a cut out gold mine.  After $385 million worth they let it fill up with water and now its the town's water supply.   

 Daly Waters; population of 7 with 5 houses.  Famous for people leaving anything from thongs to number plates and money posted all around the pub!  Found the below 2 pieces of writing interesting...

 Andrew couldn't resist parking in between the army trucks for ...safety.... at Adelaide River!! Happy birthday to Thomas and Kirsty too. 

 Remember"Charlie" from Crocodile Dundee;  now an icon in Adelaide River pub.

 Cutta Cutta caves; only tropical limestone caves open to public.  Ghost bats and snakes live here.

 Magnetic termite mounds;  always face east.  Drove onto Darwin and looked at the Mindil markets.  Andrew had some whip cracking lessons from some guy selling whips and could crack them 2 at a time.  Below is a B52 bomber at the Aviation Museum; a gift from America for Australia's involvement in the war.  Andrew bought a dvd of war history for school; very informative.

 

 Went to Territory Wildlife Park; Andrew fed a Whip-ray which was quite an experience!!  Watched angel fish squirting water at insects to knock them into water with amazing accuracy!  Below; kids feeding fish at Aqua-scene in Darwin Harbor.

 In Darwin there was a fantastic water park; we, I mean the kids had a ball!! 

Bird blog...

A few photos for the bird lovers...

My favourite....the Falcon, the fastest creature on earth, reaching speeds of up to 378 kms hour. Unfortunately not the case at Bathurst this year!

At the top...

A quick update from Darwin, more to follow...

Snake at Cutta Cutta caves, a Bat eater...

Had a great time at Litchfield National Park, swam at Wangi falls...and Bluey's water hole.

 The Banyan trees are in blossom, amazing colours and contrast with the surrounding greenery.

Before we got to Batchelor to stay two nights, we explored The Lost City...

 While in Katherine we cruised the Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park.

Photo's can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Devil's Marbles and Gold...

 Dingo at our camp site

7 10 10-9 10 10

Heading off in the new car, not overheating, sits on any speed we ask and the economy is amazing. "God's Marbles" as we call them are beautiful. Went for a two hour walk and did some great exploring to find Andrew's perfect shot. Drove onto Tennant Creek and did some Gold panning. We actually found some Gold, perhaps enough for half a tooth filling! (Thinking of you Doug) Will stay at Tennant Creek until Monday so Andrew can watch Bathurst!

Some unfortunate news...

30-9-10 to 6-10-10

An early start and off to Alice Springs. As soon as we pull into the caravan park, Andrew disappears to the mechanic. Lola is still overheating, Andrew hopes a new radiator cap will solve the problem! The mechanic tells Andrew that there is a pin hole in the Cylinder Head Sleeve which is allowing compression into the cooling system. Which ultimately means either 4 weeks in Alice while the motor is rebuilt in NSW or a new car. After a number of phone calls Andrew decided to drive back to Adelaide to get a new car.

The caravan park has a playground and a swimming pool so the kids are having a ball. Before Andrew left for Adelaide, we went to Stanley Chasm which was a beautiful walk with spectacular views.Desert Park was excellent and Cloe got to learn all about Habitats in the desert, she also got her wish to look at Aboriginal Artwork in the Art Gallery.

After 3000kms and some intensive running around in Adelaide, Andrew returned with a Land Rover Discovery 3. Kai has named the new car "Lightening" from the movie "Cars". Andrew agrees, it certainly  is..

 "Lightening" doing her first river crossing over the Todd.

Lola's last photo...