Sunday
We decided to leave around 8am so a quick pack up, toast for breakfast and we are on our way just a bit before 8am. It's a grey and overcast day with a smattering a of rain. The descent into Palm Creek was uncomfortable but Mud Duck and Karen guided the way and the rest of the crossing was OK. I have always preferred going up the hill more than down. Martin drove really well and we had no real issues.

At the next crossing - Ducie Creek - the step and the camper parted company. A few more minor crossings then North Alice Creek followed by Dulhunty River and Bertie Creek before we arrived at Gunshot.

Some people from South Australia had caught up to us at Bertie Creek so we let them go carry on ahead of us once we had all crossed the creek. They were waiting on the other side of Gunshot when we arrived and videoed as we went through. I don't think they expected us to make it and kept saying how impressed they were with Martin's driving. In Martin's words (well I can't really write most of them) it was very tight, very steep but exhilarating.

After checking the car and camper we now have a list of minor casualties: as mentioned before no step on the camper, a kiss on the awning from a tree, both left side leg release handles broken, left side ensuite clip bent, pole carrier caps hit and cross threaded (we needed a hammer at camp to get them off), spare wheel winch disengaged itself.

Next crossing was Cockatoo Creek and our new friends from SA were still there so Martin and Mud Duck helped guide them through and then they did the same for us. This was a deep crossing with the water up to the bonnet.

We joined onto Bamaga Road for a short while and then turned back onto the OTT heading for Fruitbat Falls. At the moment this is a day visitor place only but we could see two toilet and shower blocks being built and a number of large clearings. Looks like a future camping spot. We have caught up with the South Australians again. The falls are amazing and one of the other group is having a swim. Not warm enough for the rest of us - the constant rain today has left it a bit cool.

We head on to our camp ground at Eliot Falls with one final creek crossing and arrive at 4.30pm setting up camp only just before more rain (the awning is out tonight). We cooked an early tea as we didn't stop for lunch. We travelled just 98.6 kms but it took 8.5 hours.