Katherine

Arrived in Katherine early as the trip up the road was a short one.  We set up and did the washing and fun stuff like that then met up with a couple from Tasmania for drinks.  Their children and ours had spent the day with each other as meeting kids is always a treat for the kids.  The grey nomads really don't cut it with our kids. LOL.

Busily helping Dad wash the caravan.

Brahman cows at the back of us.

Our car was dropped off to Jelwyn Ford to repair the split diff seal. While the car was gone we spent the morning working on our journals, work book and maths.  Plenty was finished and we where happy with the kids efforts.  Got a phone call from Ford only an hour or so into dropping it off......ooh oooh....what now?  The seal was not leaking we find out and that it was only a leaking plug. $60 job much better than the expected $300.  We then were given the news that the diff carrier bush was split and need replacing.   AAAAHHHH bloody car.

Went to the hot springs in Katherine.  Again I would like to indicate any water below body temperature can not be called hot.  So lets rename them to Katherine luke warm on the cool side springs.  Still very enjoyable in the water and the waterfall cascading into the pool was very pretty.  Unfortunately I had to pluck a child from underneath the falls who had come down on her stomach and got caught under the water.  No parents attending to poor child, I'm just glad I was there to pull her out.  Kid not happy though....ran to mum and told her a strange lady grabbed her arm.  Next time I'll leave her!!!  Went back to caravan park and swam in park pool.  Quite warm compared to the others we have been in.

God I'm falling apart....woke up with a sore hand this morning.  Blasted degenerative joint issues.  Got an appointent at the doctors in the afternoon so we took a drive out to Edith Falls before the appointment.  Did the walk up to the upper pool which was a uphill climb most of the way.  We got to the waterfall and deep pool to enjoy an enjoyable dip.  Getting in was a little difficult.  The rocks were extremely slippery and while trying to get Kaleb in safely I took a spill.  It was a beauty.  I lost my footing, came down on my fat butt and my right elbow.  It was a quick entry with not a lot of style.  Many people came to my aid but I was okay...just a bit of hurt pride.  My elbow was very sore and came up in an instant lump.   So glad I didn't break anything.  Still had a lovely swim and the walk down to the car was much easier.

Lower Edith Falls

Well earned rest on our walk up to Edith Falls upper pools.

Edith Falls

Finally back!

Our final day in Katherine was spent on the Katherine Gorge.  We did the 3 Gorge tour which was very enjoyable.  We had to take a walk between each gorge to get to the next boat and then had a swim on the way back between Gorge 1 and 2.  On the walk between 1 and 2 we were able to also view rock art which was of turtles and people.  The walls of the gorge are just amazing.  The walls towered above us on either side and in the wet season the water flows 8 metres above the level we were travelling at.  The volume of water would be just a spectacular site.  One that Nigel and I think we would love to come and see in the wet season.  It was a great day and the kids really enjoyed their boat cruise.

The most photographed part of the Katherine Gorge.

The force of the water in the gorge at wet season causes
these trees to grow sideways.

Hundreds of bats live on the edge of the river.

Heading for Kakadu next.  Can't wait to make up our own mind on this place.  You hear such mixed responses.