Policeman’s Point (text by Tom)

This morning we got the caravan ready to go to Timber Creek, our next stop. We stayed at a bush camp which is a camp with no electricity, no running water, no camp laundry, no sink …..Oh and plus no toilets, so you have to dig a hole in the ground!
It was still a good camp that had a good view of the creek. When Ben went fishing and we all went with him, after a while Dad spotted a a fresh-water crocodile on the other side of the river (thankfully). It was dozing half in the water, half out. After a while we left the crocodile alone and after a few hours of lazing in front of the campfire we went to bed.

by Tom

Policeman’s Point lookout on the Victoria River, Northern Territory (about 4km west of the town called Timber Creek)


Click on the picture and you may be able to see our first self-discovered croc!




Using up all the spuds before the WA border quarantine inspection & dump point!

The kids found a pod that rattled, cracked it open and played with the contents. It turned out to be a boab seed pod.






A visit from the RAAF!

Dad was very happy with the feathered visitors!


Ben fishing again the next morning (always on the lookout for those “big lizards”)

Nitmiluk views

Tom, Hannah & Zoe marched up to the top of the hill then marched down again on the Baruwai Loop walk at Nitmiluk National Park.

Looking downstream from the lookout.

Upstream


This photo taken by a German tourist. He also asked for some “like paper for the nose” (he thought we might be carrying some tissues)

Onwards and upwards





Adding rocks to the cairns seems to be the done thing!

The kapok tree drops it leaves, then flowers yellow. The local Jawoyn people know that when this happens it is the season for crocodile eggs!

Katherine Gorge by boat

Joined about 70 others at 9am for the three gorge boat tour (4 hours).


This Jawoyn rock art site had paintings that were 4-5 metres above where one could reach standing. Robbie said they had been dated at around 10,000 years. Zoomed images of mimi spirits and elders are shown below.

Tour guide and pilot Robbie. A freshwater crocodile.

Feet up for incoming water

Top Didj (by Ellen)

Today we got up early to go to Top Didj. When we got there we were met by two wallabies called Jack and Jill. We learnt how to paint a picture and for that day we were part of the Dalabon tribe.　After the painting we went to lighting a fire. It was hard. Finally we got the fire lit and went to spear-throwing. I think I was the third best (there was another family with us). It was so much fun!

At the shop I bought a flat stone with a painting of an echidna on it. After that we went for lunch at Katherine's thermal springs. I didn't enjoy the hot springs as much as I enjoyed Bitter Springs or Mataranka thermal pool. Later we came back to the caravan park and went for another swim in the pool.

Manuel telling us about the Dalabon style of painting

Dalabon connections - all the kids on this trip are sisters & brothers to each other & call both Ben & Pete "Dad"

Fire sticks in the background

The steps, not including Step 7 (called "touch 'im up")

 

Ben working on his creation

All our pictures! Aren't we clever? Can you match the pictures with the person?

Ellen showing how it's done!

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