Mon, 19th Aug, 2024 Emungalan gravel pit, north of Katherine, NT

Had a nice sleep-in this morning with the cool air. Bigger difference between min and max (18 to 36) here than at Gove.

Headed in and filled up at the cheap place this side of town.

Around to the Post Office to see if our part for the truck fridge has arrived. The company didn’t put a tracker on it and their advice that it would be here by the 20^th. Unfortunately it hasn’t arrived yet so will have to wait till tomorrow morning. Ron was there and he got his new door latch. He got the van tyre replaced - that cost a pretty penny he said. Mike noticed a leak in one of his van tyres that had been patched previously so he is getting that changed.

We drove around to the ‘car park’ near the Info Centre and found them. Mike and Anne drove off as we walked up to get the tyre done. Ron and Jenny were just getting back from buying some more groceries. We said our part hadn’t arrived so if they wanted to continue on we would catch them at Kununurra. We went back to the camper which we parked further over in the shade. Had a cuppa waiting for the others but no one appeared. Then I got a text from Anne saying ‘sorry we didn’t get the parcel, let us know when you leave tomorrow’. Obviously they have left!!

Headed down to the river to spend the day. Passed a row of boab trees.

We drove down to the low level crossing bridge and parked in the shade by the Katherine River. Went for a wander along the water’s edge, very shallow so easy to spot any crocs! Rows of natural sandstone rocks.

Up to the bridge and the weir. Signs say ‘no swimming, crocodiles’ but there is a rope swing hanging from the tree into the rapid.

Sadly there is lots of rubbish left by the camp fires by the water - so much for the big signs everywhere!

Had lunch then relaxed for the afternoon listening to the different bird calls. Lots of people came and went, some have a dip in the water with their dogs. Lovely clear blue sky again, 35 degrees in camper but our little fans keep us comfortable.

We drove back towards town to get better phone reception and then had a video chat with Dan, Fran and Sophia. Unfortunately my speaker isn’t good so I couldn’t hear and look at the same time but I mainly wanted to look at Sophia any case - so cute. Will have to hook it up to a speaker next time.

David and Wendy celebrated their 38^th wedding anniversary today. They posted photos of walking out on low tide at Buchans Point so it looks like you are walking to Scouts Hut Island. I did it with Wendy when we were home one time.

Got a message from the Tassie gang - they are at Baines, past Timber Creek.

Heard a different noise from the exhaust and Steve found a crack in the exhaust pipe so will have to get that welded tomorrow morning before we head off. If our parcel hasn’t arrive I will have to just get them to forward it on, which is a right pain.

Back out to the gravel pit again but we went further along the track and found a nice spot to set up for the night as the sun started to drop.

Quieter back here but I will set the alarm so we can be in town before 8 to get the welding done!