Arrived into Katherine and set up camp at the Shady Lane Tourist Park. It really is that, as our site is right down in the back corner of the park along the Katherine River. We had a day of groceries and admin before a swim in the pool and out for dinner as a treat. Day 2 we headed out to Katherine Gorge, dragging mountain goat Tully up another lookout. The gorge itself is difficult to access unless you do extensive walks and the information and walking maps are virtually nonexistent. So the one lookout we did had a good view but we think there are many more spectacular parts that we didn't see. Decided against the boat cruise, and headed back to the Top Digj cultural centre and spent our money on an amazing piece of aboriginal art for the stairwell at home. Came back to Knotts crossing, the first access point across the Katherine River before the bridge was built. Not as impressive as some of the other river crossings we have seen but worth the stop. Into town for a picnic lunch before making our way back to camp. Here we were visited by Bev & Haydn's neighbours and friends Jill and Richard. They have been traveling like us and we have finally crossed paths. Jill's vanilla slice (of course not as good as your's Bev!) was a welcome gift and we shared travel stories before they headed off for a swim at the hot springs. We decided to skip the springs here in favour of waiting for Mataranka. Day three we visited Cutta Cutta Caves. Meaning many stars this ancient cave with stalactites and stalagmites was fascinating. Tully was so excited and loved absolutely every minute of the 250m walk in. On the way to the caves we passed the infamous Tindal RAAF base. This was almost Jarrod's posting when he was in the RAAF. We often wonder what our life would have been like living up here instead of Sydney. After the last few days we can say for certain that it would have been very different and most probably a pretty amazing experience. After the caves we had lunch along the Katherine River before visiting the Saturday market and heading back to camp for a swim and relaxing afternoon. Tully was more than happy for some iPad time, after we downloaded some new apps for him he is enthralled with his new word and maths games. We are confident he will be a fluent reader by the time we get back and now it seems a mathematician also. God help his kinder teacher next year!