After Katherine...

We headed south from Katherine after a late-ish start (not our fault this time), and had a short morning at Mataranka, parking in the same place as on the way up. This time we didn’t have Devonshire Tea, but tea and bickie in K&B’s van. Heading off again, we hit a head wind which slowed us down a bit. We passed a free roadside camp (Newcastle Waters), and noticed that It was completely blocked up with vans. It was so full it would have been hard to even walk between the vans crammed in. It wasn’t far north of Elliot, and with our objective of staying at the Longreach Waterhole, near Elliot, it made us wonder if that too would be full. It was 12kms in from the highway, but when we got to the waterhole, there were quite a few vans there, but as it was so big –about 1.5kms long – we just drove around a bit and found a great viewing spot, and a campsite that suited us. It was beautiful there. Wendy made a comment later on which was something like ‘think of those poor suckers out at the roadside camp’!

We set up camp without putting the awning out, and watched the sun go down over the amazing wildlife that surrounded us. It was quite cool, and as the sun went down more and more, so did the temperature. It was a perfect night for some night photography so after dinner I set up the camera preparing for a cold night, standing outside…..and it was a cold night! After a cold night, with about 3 hrs sleep for me, we woke to a very cold morning with a very cold wind blowing. The thermometer showed 9deg! We have been used to high 20s and 30s!

We met a really nice couple who have been going to the water hole for 4 years. She is an avid photographer who sits in her chair, with her Cannon camera and 500mm lens, on the water’s edge all day. She showed us some of her photos, and they are absolutely stunning. If you want to have a look at some of her work, go to http://www.lizaxton.com   The bird shots are incredible. She showed us a lot more on her iPad, but they haven’t hit the website for a while. She is also thinking of publishing a book. We gave her some ideas and contacts that may be able to help.

Anyway, we all survived, and now we have landed in Tennant Creek to stay with K&B’s daughter for a few days. We will have a look around here and I will post something when we move on from here.

We are on day 31 today – June 22 – so we are past half way, and are now on the fast track to the end. I hope you like the photos here..

The moon and planets aligned for us!

Wendy playing on her phone..

A 1.5hr exposure shot of the southern sky....there was so many stars the sky became very light.

This Black kite was looking for breakast next to our tent. The morning light showed up all his beauty..

The Spoonbills went for an early morning flight.

I think this is a Pacific Heron.

The sun was starting to go down over this beautiful water hole.. 

We had just finished our quick set up. We didn't bother putting up the awnings.

Klaus wandering around the water's edge.

I found a new feature on the red camera!

Wendy enjoying the situation...

The setting sun providing an amazing environment..

Nothing like a glass of wine in this spot...

Chris and Alison took us to Philip Creek Block which is an aboriginal site. We had afternoon tea by the billabong..

These Diamond Doves were watching our activities..

This is what it was like following Chris out through a very dusty, narrow and winding track. We were about 4 kms of the main road, and with no wind, the fine dust just hung in the air. At this spot, Chris was about 300m ahead, but I ad to stop and wait.