Day 52
Katherine - Edith Falls - Douglas Daly - Hayes Creek
" you're hot then you're cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, you're up then you're down....."
Today was defined by swimming - lots of it too in the NT heat!
We got up at 7 and after a quick breakfast I gave the van a hose and scrub - the water from the hose was lovely and warm too so it really made the chore a lot easier! We got on the road just before 9 and drove out to Edith Falls.
We missed the loop walk last time we were here so we were keen to do it this time around. It was a 2.5 k walk but after the initial mountain climb in the heat, we were rewarded with some spectacular water falls and pools. By the time we got back around we were all ready to fall into the cool clear water - which is what we all did!
Edith Falls has changed a bit in the 2 years since we were here last. The place has obviously been smashed in the last wet season as all the beautiful grassed areas are sadly gone, trees are no longer around and ones that are left are descimated or scraggly. There is a rather large loose rock mound in the middle of the falls that wasn't there previously too, so where we used to swim out into really deep water straight from the bank there is a shallow swimming pool now followed by a loose rock bank to climb over.
We still enjoyed our swim nevertheless!
From Edith Falls we continued North and ended up at Hayes Creek where we are staying tonight. We could have made Darwin - but it's not ready for us yet - something about V8's being in town for the weekend? Darwin tomorrow!!
We unhooked the vans and then drove out to the Douglas Hot springs - where the Douglas and Daly rivers meet - one hot and one cold.
On our way we drove onto the WW2 Fenton airstrip used by the US and our Airforces to bomb Timor and the East Indies during the war. Felt strange having the Disco lined up on the old runway where B29 liberators once flew from. Cayden wanted to extend the Disco's wings and gun it down the runway at full pelt ........
Just a short drive further and you are at the Hot Springs. Its a weird situation in the water - a slight move in the water and you're either hotter or colder and both at the same time!
We all loved being back here and everyone had lots of fun in the rivers either in the fast flowing section or on the steam room!
Back at Hayes Creek, the kids got to feed the local horses tonight and we enjoyed a few beers as the sun clocked off for the day.
Tomorrow it's onto Darwin. Kids can't wait for the water park at Leanyer again- its all they talk about. There is a new water park opened at Palmerston which looks great too.
Mindal Markets and those awesome Mindal sunsets and colours tomorrow night too!