One Year to Give: Litchfield, Douglas Hot Springs and Edith Falls

July 22nd

Again, I've got a bit behind with the blog - no power, no internet and too busy for a couple of weeks. As I'm writing this we have just arrived Broome - back to "civilisation", after completing the Gibb River Road. And we did it 'unscathed'! We saw some fantastic things and had some great adventures, which I will outline in the blog later... but now back to 22nd of July...

Again we did the middle of the night trip to the Darwin Airport, to farewell Jake. He was heading back a bit earlier than the others to begin a Tafe Course in carpentary. He's had a bit of a change of 'tack' and for now has his heart set on doing something a bit more "hands on", and with more regular hours. So far he seems to be enjoying this immensely.

The rest of us, however, packed up in Darwin and headed south for a bit more sight seeing and fun in the sun! The little girls (and all of us) enjoyed a visit to the Berry Springs Wildlife Park where we did lots of walking - and at the moment I can't locate those photos on the camera?? We didn't stop at the Berry Springs Nature Park which was a good thing by the sounds of it, as we might have been the ones that the 'nasty croc' bit. I'm pretty keen not to end up with my arm in a croc's mouth!

Then it was off to Batchelor where we based ourselves for a few days taking in the sights at Litchfield NP. The park was great with lots of shady trees, and grass and space - all of which was good, after being crammed in tightly in Darwin. Florence Falls was a 'crowd pleaser' and the boys enjoyed the swim under the waterfall. Mia managed to do all of the three hundred and something steps down to the swimming hole and then make it back up too!

Florence Falls

Don't you just love those pigtails?! And the plait, too.

If you look carefully you can see sky divers! There was a meet for skydiving at Batchelor while we were there including 13 - 81 year olds, and the whole time we could hear the plane climbing, climbing, climbing and it would sort of disappear and then all of a sudden the bright bursts of colour would appear, falling from the sky. The highest number we counted in the sky at one time was 17! Beautiful - and very entertaining.

Little kids ... and big kids at Buley Rockhole! Once Nicole managed to get wet, we couldn't keep her out!

The Fellas searching out the best spot at Douglas Hot Springs, ... we found it!! It was perfect fot the little girls as nice and shallow and a bit warmer than some of the water holes, falls etc we had swum in. We had to be careful tho', not to step in anything that was too hot! Didn't want to burn any feet! This water was about 37 degrees, but some further up the track was about 65 degrees - youch!!

Edith Falls was beautiful! (photos don't do it justice!). Last time we were here, 2 years ago, we didn't do the walk up to the top rock pools. This time we did... and it was well worth it - lot's of deep pools to swim in, rocks to clamber on, waterfalls and very pretty to look at. But... just make sure you have your footing on a slippery rock before you pass your 3 year old from one rock ledge to another. (he did very well to keep her head out of the water!)

Then it was back to Katherine for a few nights at the 'Hotel Scattini' - and again, we were rude enough to arrive late in the day and lob in at tea time. Jodi, however, was able to cope with this admirably and serve the 8 of us(!!) up a beautiful meal. She's used to feeding large crowds, having had 6 children and friends in and out all the time!

We had a lovely time 'chill-axing', as the kids would say - chatting, swimming, eating, drinking and spending time with friends and family. Jon and I took a bit of a break from the schoolwork and let the 'teacher in residence' (Nicole), and her sidekick, take over the lesson instruction for the kids. They worked much harder for them than they do for us!

Mango trees on Jodi and Ben's block, with lot's
of flower. We were there a few months early tho'.

Katherine River, down the lane at the back of the Scattini's block. This patch was a nice shallow bit and Ben assured us it was safe from crocodiles at the moment!

This beautiful green tree frog, we found in a dusty, dry place, in Jodi's garage. We thought it much nicer for it to be in the lush green garden.

Daniel, Nicole, Isabelle and Mia heading out of Jodi's drive and
off to Darwin for the flight home.

Before too long it was time for the 'Junior Forrests to pack up their bags and head back to Darwin, for the flight home - very sad for them (it's cold down South) and very sad for us, as we won't be seeing them in person for another few months. It was great they could get to Darwin and spend a fortnight with us. The family time was pretty special.)