Adventures with Gran and Pops!

Meeting up with Mum and Dad (AKA Gran and Pops!) in Katherine

After leaving Kakadu we headed for Katherine where we had organised to meet my mum and dad. 

From here we had plans to travel together for atleast the next few weeks and in the process create some great memories traveling together. 

That night we spent the night at a great little free bush camp that Gary, the girls and I had previously stayed at. 

We had a big campfire and sat out under the stars sharing stories about each of our travels so far.  

US!!!

Mataranka/Bitter Springs

From here we headed to Mataranka Hot Springs and Bitter Springs yet again. 

Although we didn't spend long at Mataranka the main reason being it looked like every bowls and RSL club member from Darwin had assembled there for the day! (They all seemed to be having a great time, good on them! ;)) 

Luckily for us we prefer Bitter Springs. This place is just amazing. From the warm waters that are clearer than any water we have ever seen to the beautiful scenery. This springs is still our favourite by far! 

Gran and Pops enjoying Bitter Springs 

Elsey National Park

That night we stayed at Elsey National Park in the hope of being kept awake by some wild donkeys. Yep, you did read that right! Although Gary, the girls and myself have seen and heard a few donkeys, mum and dad hadn't come across any. 

Elsey national park is known to have hundreds wandering the grounds at any one time and the copious amounts of Donkey droppings around prove it! 

Unbelievably we did not see any! We even went for a drive at night in search of some to no avail! We did hear quite a few though, which always makes me laugh.. That sound has got to be the funniest animal sound around!! 

The river view near our camp

Guitar lessons with Pops

Daly Water Pub (again!)

With Ella's birthday in a few days, we decided to celebrate it early. What better place to celebrate it than the Daly Waters Pub!?!? 

Arriving back here we all had a great night feasting on the Beef n Barra meal the pub puts on each night whilst dancing away to the great live country music singer. 

Being Ella's birthday, she was even lucky enough to have everyone in the beer garden that night sing Happy Birthday to her! 

Ella, Gran and Tori 

Enjoying a drink in the Beer Garden 

Ella and Pops saying "Cheers" to Ella's Birthday 

Dinner time 

Over the past few weeks also the girls and I had been busy collecting empty drink cans. From the drink cans we created a tin person and a dog to go with. We named them Candy and Rusty and then donated them to the Daly Waters Pub where they now proudly stand attached to the famous Thong Tree! 

Tori, Ella and I with "Candy and Rusty!" 

"Rusty" the dog and "Candy!"

Ella working on her ten pin bowling skills 

Ella playing her Air Guitar ;)

Longreach Waterhole

After yet another great night at this iconic pub we headed towards Longreach waterhole.

A huge river and lake 11km from Elliott. This place was huge with endless river front camping. We ended up spending two nights here relaxing and watching the large amounts of bird life over the water. 

As the temperature had dropped remarkably we found ourselves huddled around our large campfires at night to keep warm!! 

Views around Longreach 

Some Pelicans that seemed to swim around doing some form of synchronised swimming! 

The girls doing some painting 

Our camp 

Relaxing by the fire 

Fires and sunsets... Bliss 

From Longreach we headed to Tenant creek to stock up on our supplies before heading back up to Three Ways and approx 70km to a great road side camp for the night. 

The next day, 20th July, was Ella's 9th birthday! Waking early as the sun rose she excitedly jumped out of bed and ran off straight to her Gran and Pops caravan to see them before eventually returning to also see us! (It's obvious who the favourites are!!) 

We baked her a mud cake and later iced it with chocolate frosting and finished it off with sprinkles and chocolate frogs!

We then drove towards the NT/QLD border! On arriving at the border I quickly went to work writing a Happy Birthday message that spanned over both sides of the NT/QLD border! 

Not many kids can say they have had their birthdays in two different states on the same day! 

Having some Birthdays and Border crossing fun!! 

Ella laying on the Border 

One in each state! 

Yeah QLD here we come!!

 

From here we headed to a great free camp along a river in Camooweal. We prepared a yummy dinner with all Ella's favourite foods (minus prawns and oysters due to them costing a fortune out here!) Instead she happily settled with pizzas, caviar, pate, Dutch smoked cheese, cold meats, anchovies and olives! (Yes she has expensive taste!!)

We enjoyed this whilst relaxing with a few drinks around a large blazing campfire. 

Gary bringing back the wood for the fire... Note the piece attached to the bullbar!! 

Birthday Dinner 

Cake time!! 

Eventually Ella started to tire. It had been a huge day for her and she was ready for bed! But not before informing us that this was one of her best birthdays ever! 

Yeah!!! 

So after 15,070km in the NT and a HUGE 42,705km since we left home nearly 16 months ago, we are in QLD! 

We can't wait to see what adventures are in store for us here!!!  

Xx