After leaving Karumba on Tuesday morning we headed south into a breeze down towards the Burke & Wills Roadhouse. Nothing exciting happened except that about 5kms out of Karumba, Klaus pulled over saying that his engine warning light was on. After calling his mechanic, checking all the oil, water and temps, the mechanic said that it was probably some silly sensor, so all was good to go. Apart from that nothing happened on the road and we eventually pulled into the roadhouse for fuel for the cars, and fuel for us (lunch). After lunch was consumed, we turned west towards Gregory Downs, 148kms away. The road was like a billiard table for the first 50kms or so, but then turned into the normal one lane of bitumen, then two, then one, etc. all the way to Gregory. The ground was more open than the country to the north.

After topping up on fuel, we decided that it was early enough to head straight to Adels Grove, rather than spend the night on the already crowded river bank on the Gregory River.

After a good run in (the first 31kms being tar), we got to Adels Grove and found a couple of adjacent sites and set up. It was in a beautiful spot, under the trees and palms, near the gorge. We had a visitor yesterday. Lindal Lorraine was walking her dog and bumped into our campsite. We chattered for a while. Lindal and Erhardt are on a 4 month trip travelling anticlockwise, going all the way around Australia in 4 months.

That first night on Day 11 was a lot cooler than the Karumba nights, and a lot quieter! The morning was beautiful, with the sun rising over rainforest. I got up early and went for a walk along the river. Later on, we all went for a walk along the river, and then up to Adels Lookout hill. We had phone reception there so we made our necessary calls, and checking of emails.

I had asked Lindal and Erhardt for afternoon tea at 4pm, so we had to get back in time. It was great to catch up with them for an hour or more. They were leaving early the next day.

We had planned for an early start for Day 13 as we wanted to go into Lawn Hill NP and do some walking along the gorges. We didn’t quite leave at 7:30 as planned, but did manage to gt away at 8:15. That is ok….we are on holidays! The gorges were beautiful although we didn’t go up to the lookout at the top of the top gorge, as it was pretty well the same as the middle gorge which we had done to death! We saw lot of birds and strange plants. At Indarri falls, three of us went for a swim, and K & I even went in behind the falls. Wendy didn’t want to get her hair wet, so she just swam over near the falls. See the photos below.

After lunch, we got back to camp and rested. We called into the office on the way through and booked drinks and nibbles on the deck at 5pm. About 20 mins later we decided we would do dinner at the restaurant as well, so we booked that too. We were originally going to do dinner the following night, but the thought of Corned Beef and vegies tomorrow, didn’t sound as good as Salmon with Lemon and Pepper sauce which is tonight’s meal. They only have one set dinner per night. The food was very nice, as well as the nibble platters.

We have decided to stay an extra night and just relax in the beauty of the grove. We may even do a bit of fishing and swimming…..if it takes our fancy!

It was a dusty road on the way from Gregory Downs to Adels.

The Buff Sided Robyn likes mirrors, and is happy to tap away for ages...

Here he is having a rest..

This Willy Wagtail was very friendly..

This pigeon was showing all his glory...

On the banks of the Gregory River at Adels

Up at the top of the hill to get reception...and that is where I am sitting now to send this post...tethered to my phone.

Lillies abound on the river...

The entrance to Lawn Hill NP. This is 8kms from Adels

The Gregory River here looks the same as at Adels!

Walking up to the lookout to the Middle Gorge. It was very steep!

A rest at the top for the ladies

The view from the top, looking down to the Middle Gorge....stunning!

Yes, I am saying hello to you..

Indarri Falls

A couple of iphone panorama shots

The old man under the Indarri Falls. The water was beautiful, but the force was very stong with these falls!

Wendy swimming back from the falls to the ladder

...me too!

Three Wood swallows being very cosy. (photo from Klaus)

The pontoon at Adels

..back at the falls again..

what a he-man!

It certainly was a strong flow..

K & I coming out from under the falls..

These are the 2 falls, but the far one had a tree in it, so we couldn't get under the water there.

The bathing beauty..

The view from the pontoon.....sorry about the drops of water on the lens.

absolutely beautiful.

We head out today (day 14 - Friday 5/6/2015) heading south, and then west, then north towards Borroloola. Prob no reception for a while...catch you later...