9. Kakadu became Kadadon't.

Plans on seeing Edith Falls followed by entry into the  Kakadu National Park were put on hold for several days after Carrol had a collision with the pavement outside the Katherine Hotel. (She blended into the environment well despite her groceries scattered around)
More on that later.

Camp Drafting at the Mataranka Never Never Festival was another case of being in the right place at the right time.
It gave us a chance slip on the RM Williams jeans, tuck in the checkered shirt, fit the belt with the massive buckle; then to sit on a fence, chew grass, be covered in dust again; and watch the skill of the cow-persons (gender neutral) and cattle trying to outdo each other.

A battle of wits and skill in following a set course around the paddock

Competition where solo riders compete as to who can create the most dust

Doing donuts without fear of the car being impounded.

Horse traffic jamb. Awaiting turn in the campdraft

Yee haaa!!!!
Either practicing for the bucking broncos or trying to align hat with head

After a long day in the saddle, even the shadows become long.
 Due to all the dust, yelling and yahooing, we left for home feeling hoarse

The tenacity of termites to build nests wherever they get the urge is to be applauded.

Treated timber is considered a treat by termites

Matthew 7:24-27

Termites are evidently contracted to provide fence posts.
Electric fences can provide much excitement in the mound

Nitmiluk National Park featuring Katherine Gorge, is a string of 13 deep gorges over a length of 12km, with walls up to 90m high.    The rocks are some of the oldest in Australia, but are  holding their age well.
We cruised up three gorges requiring a short walk between each.
In the wet season, the flow of the gorge can fill Sydney Harbour in two and a half hours. (Newcastle's Throsby Creek and Lake Macquarie's Cockle Creek could also fill Sydney Harbour, but this would take much longer)

Impressive Katherine Gorge.
At full flood flow can fill Sydney Harbour in just over 2 1/2 hours

Saltwater Crocodile trap. We didn't wan't to know what the bait was

The view would look incredibly different in full flood

Complete with sandy beaches for crocodile basking

10,000 year old artwork
One day, graffiti on train carriages might be seen as art rather than the vandalism it is  

Shopping list showing bush potatoes in gorge opposite. 

Both Freshwater and Saltwater Crocodiles inhabit the lower gorges.
Freshwater crocs' diet consists of eating a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate prey, including crustaceans, insects, spiders, fishes, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds and mammals.
Saltwater crocs, as we were advised, have a varied diet of inebriated German and US backpackers.

We had a swim at the croc free Lilly Pond, followed by a shower under a 70m waterfall.
Despite being assured  the pond was croc free, we still completed a stock-take of body parts after swimming.

Freshwater croc posing as a cold blooded killer

Said to be non-threatening to humans as they only tackle meals that can be swallowed whole.
They still look threatening though. 

Pace was slowed for three nights in the small town of Pine Creek to allow Carrol time to heal after taking a tumble outside the Katherine Hotel.
We had separated in Katherine for Don to top up with diesel and gas, whilst Carrol was re-stocking the larder.
Loaded up with bags of groceries, Carrol tripped over a protruding piece of concrete on the footpath.
She managed to save most of the groceries by protecting them with her knees and one elbow and one hand.
Fortunately, no breaks, just a lot of skin left on the pavement.

We cleaned out the wounds and carried on up the highway, before deciding on Plan B and heading to Pine Creek to put the feet up and have a more informed medical check.
For future reference, tourists should not injure themselves, and if they do, go to a major hospital and not interrupt the quiet life due to no other patients being in the local centre.
We don't think the sister in charge was appreciative of our financial injection of three nights' accommodation, food and drink, donation to their local football star fundraiser plus attendance and voting at the annual arts festival.
Tropical bacterium from soil is another reason why tourists should not injure themselves. 

Tourists should not damage themselves then expect to be patched up.
(We picked up this vibe)

Discrimination against males is still evident in Pine Creek

Electronic mail is now available through Post Office Boxes

A quiet stroll through the town revealed that although Pine Creek is disconnected from any current railway lines, it was of  major importance in the early days.
During the later war years, up to 147 trains per week were operating.  Don's Uncle George no doubt passed through this way en-route to being stationed in Darwin in those years.

The Water Park in Pine Creek featured a warning about fresh water crocs. 

Well preserved Pine Creek train to no-where

When we read this, we could not see what was funny about it; until we realised it read historical, not hysterical 

A final piece of advice:

When questioning yourself of whether to have that pie or extra piece of cake, remember this!

Recuperation is over now, and hence we will be moving on to Kakadu.
Keep well. Eat pie.
Cheers,  Don and Carrol.


We move into Kakadu next,