Today we left Mataranka and drove to Katherine to park and get some groceries and then on to a free camp on the Victoria highway for the night. We are still uncertain whether to continue on through WA or to turn around at Lake Argyle and come back to start off home through the Red Centre.
The night at the free camp was uneventful, except to say that some Vicks up my nose at the toilets would have been fabulous. In the morning we had a small mishap with one of the legs on the caravan, so Ross removed the leg for travelling and off we went to Timber Creek, stopping at picturesque Victoria River for a stretch and an icecream. Timber Creek is a beautiful and peaceful caravan park at the back of the local shop and pub, with very tall trees for complete shade, and where bats live during the day, with a small creek running by, which is inhabited by fresh water crocodiles, who stay in their part of the world and we stay up in ours. At Timber Creek in true Ross fashion, Ross did a shutdown on the caravan leg and it is now as good as new.
Sunday 1st August we leave Timber Creek very early as we were advised that Argyle were taking no bookings, but that they turn no one away, just first come, best dressed. So with the time difference of 1 and half hours between SA and WA we determined that we could be there when the doors opened. we arrived early and got a good site easily, but were a little peeved to learn that there was no mobile, TV or Internet. But the drive there and the views from the resort can only be described as breathtaking. Any amount of photos can't do any of it justice.
One thing that is awkward crossing the border from SA to WA, is the very strict quarantine. All raw vegies, fruit and honey have to be handed in. The inspector goes through the boot of the car, the esky, the caravan, cupboards and fridge, so for us crossing the border leaves no fruit or vegies and as we had decided we were not going to Kununurra we had to make do.
Our three days at lake Argyle were filled with reading, walking, eating, talking with wonderful neighbours, watching the series Nashville for which we only had up to episode 13 of 22 of series three so we are looking forward to seeing what happens and I believe there is a Series 4. Swimming in the Infinity Pool was the highlight. The pool was so cold it stung your skin as you got in. It took me at least an hour to get in the water. Ross just dived in. Our last day the wind blew and the temperature dropped from 35c to 27c so no swimming.
Wednesday 5th August
We are once again camped at Timber Creek, where we have Internet access and I am writing this blog. We decided that to to continue through WA would take just too long and it is something we did not want to hurry, so next years trip is all set. This is not a long section of the blog, but some of the photos, especially those showing the Infinity pool show just how spectacular this part of the country can be.