Woke up a bit chilly this morning, can't believe that we are in the national park for swimming and now it's gonna cool off a bit. Anyway, it was a relaxing nights sleep with the sound of the falls in the background when we drifted off. Only problem was that a couple of times l woke wanting to go to the toilet!! Lol...
After breaky we headed off on our day of exploration and swimming. We headed off the bitumen and onto the 4WD track, shortly passing through a deepish water crossing which Marty got keen over. We then arrived at the Blyth Homestead, a cottage ruin built in 1929 by the Sergeant family as an outstation to the main Stapleton Homestead. The Blyth Homestead was used for the family to stay in while they mined tin in the nearby mine. It was eventually abandoned in the 1960's but is well restored and has great info around the place to tell the stories. We climbed up the small hill at the back through the creek and you can still see little bits of tin in the soil on the ground. Boo was fascinated with this and started collecting bits.
We then headed 2km down the road, which took a bit as it was corrugated and windy. Went through another water crossing before arriving at Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek). We had to do a 1.7km walk through lush paperback forest along Sandy Creek, winding through on a narrow walking track and stepping over rocks and walking on sandy tracks at times. This walk had it all, but wasn't too strenuous which was good. Took us 45 mins and when we arrived at the falls the girls were quick to strip off and jump in the plunge pool. I dipped my toe in and it was freezing, but the girls wanted to go in so off they went. Marty and l took in the surrounds, it was exactly as we remembered, even the walk to get there. The girls soon got cold and just as they got out a man pointed out a orange snake that dropped into the water from the cliff above. Marty caught a glimpse but l didn't see it. We headed back to the car, the incentive for Meg being "the quicker we get back, the quicker we get lunch". It didn't take us long that's for sure.
Took us around an hour to get to the next waterfall, Surprise Creek Falls. We went thru two or three more water crossings and saw landscapes full of magnetic and cathedral termite mounds, surrounded with pandanus palms. It was a feast drive that's for sure. The girls were happy it was a very short walk to the falls and this time l got in with them. Couldn't resist, it was do inviting. There was a clear plunge pool with two to three drop falls above with further rock pools. We swam across the plunge pool then climbed up to the first rock pool, scaling the rocky wall. Meg and Boo are such good climbers now, totally amazed at their agility. We jumped in and headed under the waterfall while Marty climbed up taking pics. Was too cold for him today and he didn't swim at all! Good for me though cause l got to envoy the moment instead of being behind the camera lens all the time. The girls and l swam for an hour before we had to head back. We didn't want another late day. So we got back to camp around 3pm and sat around in the picnic area on the grass while the girls rode around on their bikes. Had a few drinks before meeting up with Lyn, Steve, Jade and Ashley again. They pulled up to camp dragging lull this wood behind their car, you guessed it, tonight was another communal campfire. They are such a beautiful family and its funny how some people's stories are similar to ours. So glad we are meeting all these awesome people on our trip. Anyway after tea, we chilled out again around the fire. This time though we were joined with a few more people. We met another family, Elvis and Sherrie and their two boys, who were on a three month holiday from NSW. We were all having a great time when this young idiot who was pretty smashed came over and caused a bit of trouble. Was quite argumentative and pompous, worked for Coke and definitely gave them a bad rep. Was a total w***er and l can't stand people like that, so kept antagonizing him until it was no fun to be around. Eventually everyone got sick of him and called it a night. Shame as we were having such a great night. Was getting pretty late anyhow, time for night night......tomorrow is our 1st anniversary of traveling around Australia!! I know, can't believe it either, it's gone so fast but is so full of memories.

Bell Xxx