Kristy 8

 

Hey Didddle Diddle The Cat And The Fiddle, The Cow Jumped Into The Van

 

I consider myself an animal lover, we have lots of dearly loved pets at home and we spend a lot of money teaching the kids about the importance of conservation and environment.  My boundaries have been well and truly pushed though by the sheer number of livestock roaming the roads of WA.  Without exaggeration we’ve encountered thousands of cattle roaming along the roads and hundreds more left dead and decaying as road kill.  Today we were travelling behind another caravan on one of WA’s main roads when the van in front of us was forced to break heavily and swerve to the far right of the road to avoid hitting a 700+kg cow.  As they slowed to pass by safely a bull raged from the roadside, dropped his head and charged right into the side of their van, as the driver in front tried to accelerate past he ultimately ran into the cow he was initially trying to avoid.  Undeterred the bull smashed into the side of the van two more times as the driver tried to pull over.  We pulled up beside and instructed him to drive a few hundred metres down the road where we helped the old couple to rectify the thousands of dollars of damage that had just been done.  It’s with this image in mind that I have become a staunch advocate for eating WA beef!

After 10hrs of driving (running the bovine gauntlet) we were forced to pull up on a roadside free stay as dusk brought about an even greater number of cow sized speed humps.  Needless to say we awoke the following morning surrounded by cows and bulls.

 

We arrived at Lake Argyle and were immediately blown away by the incredible beauty of this place.  Here, in the middle of nowhere lies a body of fresh water the size of 19 Sydney Harbours.  It’s simple too immense to describe.  Everyone who comes here embarks on the sunset cruise and we were no different, it was informative and educational but after the first couple of hours it hit it’s pinnacle as we shifted into the “Relax” stage of the tour.  The kids were encouraged to jump from the roof of the boat as we adults floated on noddles with beer, wine, cheese and biscuits in hand watching the sunset over the water.  Not even the fact that this body of water is estimated to home at least 30,000 freshwater crocodiles bothered us.

The last time we travelled around Australia Tamsyn was completely obsessed by staying at a place called Pussy Cat flats.  Pussy Cat Flats caravan Park boasted about powered sites, running water (hot and cold), a bar, golf course and a racetrack, however we opted instead to stay in Edith Falls with no facilities and an overnight low of 36 degrees.  Well that was last time and there was no way Taz was letting us rip her off again.  We pulled in and were immediately swarmed by the locals, moments later, beers in hand we realised the mammoth mistake we had made five years earlier.  Pussy Cat Flats is the place to be.  Needless to say Tamsyn wandered around looking like the cat who got the cream.  The next morning the boys got up to play a round of golf where they encounter hazards such as 12ft termite mounds and wild brumbies on the course.  Meanwhile Taz and I enjoyed a long hot shower in the very public amenities (there were no doors on the showers).  Anything goes at Pussy Cat Flats.

 

Our next destination remains one of our favourite places in Australia.  Bucking the trend of Kaka-DON’T we very much enjoy Kakadu.  Sadly we have arrived a bit early in the season so our croc encounters were scarce as the crocs were still remaining in the deep water to cool down rather than sunning themselves on the banks as they do in the dry season.  The fishing wasn’t bad though with all of us pulling in at least one fish.  By far the most impressive and enjoyable part of Kakadu is engaging in the history and culture of Aboriginal country.  Honestly, when you strip back the negativity of our recent history and take the time to listen, read and learn about this ancient culture you can’t help but feel a little jealous because us white Australians really have no culture or connection when compared to the traditional owners of this land.  We sat and spoke to a young aboriginal man at the top of a rock formation overlooking the wetlands and he started telling us about Country.  He made it clear that he is always happy because this is his land, his family, his story to tell whereas the aboriginal people who have left here and choose to live in the city and drink are simply lost and when you look in their eyes they have no culture or story to tell.  Perhaps this is true, the connection to country that we so easily dismiss ourselves is what keeps their story, their soul alive. 

It was at Kakadu that our happy little hippy Taj got to celebrate his 10^th birthday.  Although it’s hard to conceal surprises when five people live in a 16ft caravan we did manage to shower him with gifts and cook his favourite dinner.

Once again Chris had arranged a house stay in Darwin for the week and as luck has it I couldn’t have survived without it!  Our stop all started well enough, settle in, watch some footy on TV, relax.  Early the next morning the boys head out fishing with a mate who we mate last time we travelled.  Jon and Melinda were travelling with their three kids five years ago when we met them on the road and have never left Darwin.  Jon took the boys down the Elizabeth River in his boat and the boys had a ball with Ry catching his dream fish, a big barramundi.  Taz and I on the other hand caught a bus into Casuarina for a girls day out which included, coffee, haircuts, beauticians and more coffee.  After fishing Chris had taken Ry to get his scheduled immunisation and the day was going brilliantly.  Dinner and off to Darwin’s famous deck chair cinema where I had to pinch myself and ask “does life get better than this?’  As I gloated in self joy things began to unravel rapidly.  Ryley experienced a severe reaction to the immunisation and we spent the following two days cleaning vomit and trying to control a raging fever.  He finally turned the corner when the doctor said, “If he’s not better by 3pm I’ll admit him to hospital so we can keep a closer eye on him and give him IV fluids”.  With the thought of another needle Ryley willed himself into recovery.

The Darwin museum was featuring a hilarious exhibit of all the best NT News front covers.  Never in my life have I heard so much laughter in a museum.  With headlines such as, “Someone stole my dog while I was on the Bog” we couldn’t help but laugh.

Crocsuarus Cove was a hit again as we wandered around the massive aquarium that is based in the main street of Darwin.  Home to eight of the biggest salties you’ll ever see. Once again the kids enjoyed croc fishing and swimming in the croc tank.

To wrap up our last night in Darwin we went to the Mindil Bay market, a must do for anyone visiting the top end.  Oh the food!  Ever flavour from across the world, it’s a foodies paradise.  International street food in hand we sat on the beach alongside thousands of other people and watched the sunset over Darwin before heading back into the market to watch the colour and spectacle of the Mendil bay street performers. 

Due to the danger of crocs, sharks and stingers you can’t swim in the waters in Darwin so the council offer free water parks and swimming pools.  We got the best out these parks right up to the minute that we pulled out of Darwin.  This is certainly a place where I could live.  Territorians are relaxed, happy people who take everything slowly, yeah I could definitely fit in here!