Keep River NP. 25/7/15

A short travel distance, just over the border to NT this morning. The weather has warmed to day temp of 35 deg and cooling to 21 deg overnight. We are more accustomed to these temps during summer, not mid winter!

Morning walks were a preference as all walks were exposed to open spaces and the heat while mostly circumnavigating rocks/ ranges. The NP exudes its own beauty with black spinifex covered plains splattered with boabs, Woolybutt and silver box, reaching into pandanus and Palm groves at the foot of the ranges while the ragged and honeycomb rock at the summit was covered in spinifex. The views from the top, looking into valleys and a wide expanse of timbered country to sandstone capped ranges in the distance was breathtaking, colours were magnificent.

We commented after our second night of camping that life couldn't get much better, the weather was perfect, walks were great, scenery exhilarating especially at sunrise and sunset, birds were chirping, cooking on the campfire and finishing off a beautiful day with Baileys and rocky road chocolate by the fire. All perfectly quiet by 9 pm - bliss!!

Day 3 kept us entertained ! By late afternoon we had neighbours, an elderly couple and the bickering started immediately the car door opened. Not so long later the caravan was set up, awnings, water etc being tweeked. Then all of a sudden poor hubby was getting a roasting for leaving the caravan door open. We were surprised at what we saw next - the cat had escaped, yes cat in a NP, not one but two lived in the van. Poor 'Rigby' was so fat but managed to resist removal from under the vehicle. Then he decided to escape about 20 mts to sandstone rocks and climb into one of the small caves. The woman was frantic by this time, so aided with a broom and blanket she proceeded to crawl along on her belly to rake the cat from the rocks. Hubby was no where to be seen!! We think his tail was between his legs!! A fellow camper made comment re the cat when passing and they replied ' we're leaving'.
All good. A family pulled up to take their spot on dusk. About 8.30pm all campers were winding back waiting for the fires to die down before going to bed and surprise, late arrivals setting up in the dark. Finally all was quiet, sleep was restful only to be woken the following morning before sunrise to sliding doors slamming, brutal language and a young couple, who obviously held differing points of view. If only we could understand German! Fun times!!