Monday - 8th June 

Day 14 came and went with us just mostly relaxing. I changed the front tyres (STs) on my car with the 2 spares (ATRs) as I had been experiencing a low speed steering in-balance for the past week, and I hoped it was a tyre problem and not a mechanical steering problem. After the change, the problem was no longer so I was pleased with the outcome. Of course, getting the tyres off the roof wasn’t a problem as I just got up on the cage, release the straps, and threw them down to the ground. One rolled off into the bush but that was ok. However, getting the 2 used ones up onto the roof involved a lot of grunting, but with K’s help, they were put in place and strapped down ok. Apart from my strenuous work, nothing else really happened.

Klaus made the decision that he would take his van down the dirt, rather than go back through Gregory, and then the long way around on the bitumen. As such, at the beginning of Day 15 (Saturday 6^th) instead of turning left out the gate, we turned right, travelled about 1km, then turned left onto the dirt towards Riversleigh Fossil centre (world heritage apparently) which was 51kms down the road. The road was very friendly to us, and even when we shot past heading towards the Gregory to Camooweal Rd, it was still a good dirt road. Of course there were a few bumpy bits but here were 3 wet creek and river crossings which of course created a few Kodak moments. The two river crossings were very picturesque with lots of palms and greenery. Lots of photos were taken. See below. The Gregory to Camooweal road was one that we heard could be a bit ordinary, but overall, the 61kms we had to get through before we hit the bitumen alternative, was bearable enough. We hit the main east-west highway and headed for Camooweal without dramas and stopped there for fuel and lunch. Camooweal is not a town which is very high on the ‘must see’ list, so we headed towards the river out of town for lunch. We didn’t go all the way to the billabong, but stayed pretty well under the big bridge. We pumped up our tyres, then continued in a westerly direction, with our target being the Barkly Homestead. After a couple of hours we made it safely and checked into a luxurious campsite. The sites were just pull-through lanes, but they were wide and clean. I couldn’t hammer a peg into the ground as it was like concrete! We decided not to put out the awning and even went to the restaurant for dinner to save unpacking anything but the bare essentials. The meal was good; the amenities were good, so all was good in the end. We were in the last row so our tent faced south-west, so the evening breeze blew straight at our door, so all night I could hear a rustle of the tarp and I could have sworn that I heard some animals. I got up at 3am to investigate, but it was just the wind. The sky was crystal clear with stars everywhere despite the moon still big and setting. I watched them for a while then went back to bed, as it was quite cool. When we got up later on, it was very cold, and when I checked the thermometer, it read 8 degrees….and me with my soccer shorts, thin t-shirt and thongs!

The pack up was pretty quick and we eventually got away at 9am, and then turned directly north towards Cape Crawford and onto Borroloola. It was mostly a single lane so encounters with oncoming road trains, caravans, trucks and cars meant we had to drop our left wheels in the dirt while they did the same. Of course, with the road trains, we got completely off the road so that they could stay on the bitumen which stopped them 3 or 4 trailers from throwing up rocks as they passed. The country was pretty open, with a lot of nothing to be seen at times. We had lunch at the second of the larger rest stops. This one didn’t have a loo, but it did have a large Southern Cross windmill. The blades were about 8metres across.  We didn’t stay too long and soon stopped in Cape Crawford (CC) for fuel. From there, it was only just over 100kms to Borroloola. Just out of CC was the Lost City, but you cannot get there by car. The only options are walk, or helicopter. Walking was free, but the Helicopter was $150pp (15 mins), and we decided to do neither. The Lost City is a bit like the Bungle Bungle ‘beehive’ formations, just a lot smaller.

We hit the town mid-afternoon and checked in the Caravan Park. K & I did a quick trip down to the 2 town boat ramps to see what the river was like. I was surprised that it was so wide. We were also surprised to see croc traps near each ramp. The second ramp was clear and gave good fishing opportunities. I am not sure if we will launch the boat, or just fish from the banks. K & I also drove down to the big bridge that crossed the river further south and discovered that there was only a trickle of water going from one side to the other. Back to camp and we had dinner, sat around and chatted for a while, did some photo work and went to bed.

It is now Day 17 (Mon 8^th) and I am sitting on my ‘porch’ typing this up. We have made no plans for today - the girls want to wash, and the boys want to fish, so am I am pretty sure everyone will get their wish. We are booked in here again for tonight, but depending on what happens today, and what info we hear about the condition of the dirt road up to Lorella Springs; we will make a decision later about tomorrow. But, tomorrow is tomorrow, and we are still in the today :)

This guy was our daily visitor in the mornings...

Obviously cicadas breed well up in the tropics. I counted over 40 shells on this tree alone..

The night sky was beautiful. I did a 1 hr exposure and it came out too bright, as there was so much ambient light. I will try more later.

The first creek crossing on the road from Adels to Camooweal..

Lots of stock crossing were encountered on our way south.

Wedge-tailed eagles were a lot less common than we have had in the past, but it is always good to see them. With a 2.5m (8') wingspan they are awesome to see in the air.

The Gregory River crossing heading south....it was a beautiful and lush spot.

The O'Shaunassy River crossing was still lush, but not as beautiful as the first one.

We crossed over the border and back in time of 30 mins..

Our campsite at the Barkly Homestead. It was good for a quick overnight stay.

It is always great to see budgies on the wing...

They look like green sperm here....

This guy would like a few of the budgies for lunch! 

At the lunch stop on the way up to Borroloola. The blades on that windmill were about 8m diameter 

This grey-fronted honey-eater was feeding at the water tank under the windmill

Heading close to Cape Crawford and the surrounding escarpment

Our home for a few days at the Borroloola Caravan Park

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...