Sat, 30th April, 2022 Hidden Valley Van Park, Berrimah to Bush camp by upper reaches of Leaders Creek, inland from Shoal Bay, NT

Another clear blue sky morning. Loaded the camper back onto the truck. Said farewell to our neighbours, Jenny and Bernie who have been on the road for 20 months. Might see them again in WA. 

Topped up with fuel ($1.949) then headed south to Palmerston for a look around. Big shopping centre and lots of homes. Got a bit lost trying to find a place to park for a cuppa and ended up on the road to Channel Island. Crossed the bridge over the Elizabeth River - wide river with a fishing jetty and boat ramp. We turned around and headed back to park in the jetty car park so we could have a cuppa.

Walked out onto the jetty and zoomed in on the industrial port area which is across the bay from Darwin city (I took a photo of it from the lookout yesterday).

Went back to the shopping centre to get a few more bits and pieces. I have been looking for small plastic boxes to for the things in the freezer so they don’t slide out when I open the door. Found some in Big W and used some in the truck fridge for the fruit and vegies too so they don’t get bruised etc. 

As it is a long weekend we decided to head back out to our spot by Leaders Creek to relax for a few days. I have so much blog to catch up on too. 

Set up on ‘our’ spot and put out the awnings this time as we will be here for a few days. Sadly we had to pick up some rubbish before we set up!

The water level has dropped.

A few cars with boats went by as usual and a few stopped in for a swim by the causeway. It is hot and humid but comfortable in the shade of the trees by the creek. 

A big group arrived and set up camp on the other side of the creek and the kids had a ball in the water.

Steve got a fire going to dry out the ground for tomorrow’s camp oven dinner. As it is still 30 degrees at 6pm we stayed by the creek rather than sit around the fire!

The other campers had a huge bonfire, music blaring and the kids constantly yelled as they jumped about in the water but the sound of the water falling through the log dam is covering their yelling - well sort of. The crickets are in full force too.

Back into the camper as the mozzies found us. Cards and books to pass the evening as the others partied into the night.