Moving on to Mataranka

Monday, and we made the really long trek (105 klms) down the Stuart Highway from Katherine to Mataranka - home of the Thermal Pools and Elsey National Park.  Nearby Elsey Station was where Jeannie Gunn wrote "We of the Never Never" in the early 1900's - a book that The Deckie has yet to read even after all of these years.

We have decided that we might stay here for a few days and enjoy the ambiance of the area - particularly as it has three rivers to explore - the Waterhouse River and Little Roper River which join together about 1.5 klms downstream from here to make the Roper River.  The Roper River then flows eastward over 1,000 klms to flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria.  In some of Team Turtle's original plans, we were going to spend some time on the Roper after we had visited King Ash Bay, but a lot of the roads were still flooded (at that time) so it didn't happen!

With a little bit of time on our hands, we took an after lunch stroll 1.5 klms down the road called "Stevie's Hole".  No idea why it is called that, but it is a lovely little place to relax and have a bit of a swim.

Upstream of Stevie's Hole

We then took the Turtle out for a drive and to check out the two nearby boat ramps as we were contemplating giving the poor Li'l Pussy a swim.  There was no way we could put Tuf Cat in as they have a size restriction on power motors - 25hp.  Tuf Cat's motors are 60 hp each!

Back to the Caravan Park to prepare for today (Tuesday) but we were waylaid by one of our neighbours (again) but this one was slightly different.

The Nosy Neighbour

Up and at it bright and early this morning (Tuesday).  Packed our lunch and refreshments, a good book for The Deckie, sunscreen, the electric motor and oars and headed off to the boat ramp.  Nothing untoward happened as we motored downstream to a small waterfall where we had lunch.

The Waterfall

Another Nice Lunch Spot

After lunch, we headed back upstream to an almost impenetrable rockbar.  Well, we nearly made it through the rockbar but we were attacked by the Slimey Weed Monster!!!!  Once more, the great skills of The Captain enabled us to survive the attack and, after a short respite on a nearby bank, we were able to continue our shortened journey.

The Rockbar

The Propeller and the Slimey Weed Monster

Our afternoon was brightened by the antics of our Nosy Neighbour as he tried to impress one of the ladies.

Dressed to Impressed

Unfortunately, the lady was more interested in what was on the ground than his display and so this is what he thought of that

A Bit Arsey!

On that happy note - catch up soon!!