NT trip Day 18

We woke fairly early, Finn was sick and throwing up. This was not a good start - how would we get him on the plane? He had been unwell most of the night. The rest of us were fine but he was pale and kept vomiting on and off. We took the van back to the depot and dropped it off. None of us were sad to se it go. After 18 days it had become quite cramped and confining. We were ready for home. Poor Finn was a champion and managed to get through the flight to Adelaide without being sick. Things eased and we'd gotten him medicine at the airport as well. In Adelaide, he slept on a lounge while we waited for our final flight home. When we landed in Melbourne we dragged ourselves out to meet the kids Dad who was picking us up and taking us home. Dad had already told Mum he'd been and gotten her some supplies and food so that once home she too could fall in a heap and recover. She'd found the humidity particularly challenging and unsettling so she was glad to get home to her own space. We did the same, fell in a heap and began the recovery. An amazing trip, but tiring. An adventure, for sure.

NT trip Day 17

This day was spent pretty much entirely driving the 5 hours or so back to Alice Springs in one go. When we arrived at the Alice Springs caravan park and I stopped the van, I almost cried. We had made it. We only had to drive to the depot in the morning and the van was done. It had been a journey of many kilometres, many stresses, and some amazing sights. The driving had been intense in what was basically a small truck! We'd done it!!! We spent the afternoon packing up, cleaning up, throwing away what was no longer needed and getting organised for our return the following day. T

NT trip Day 15

Still at Uluru, Rory was exploring the caravan park playground and amazingly, ran into someone she knew from Mount Macedon. Small world...
Today we went and did the Valley of Winds walk at Kata Tjuta. It was SO windy, but a beautiful walk. Again a very spiritual and magical place.

That night, we were able t go and see the Field Of Lights Art installation that had been set up at Uluru which was really cool and the kids had a ball there too. We were tired on return though, and hit the hay pretty early. The night before we had had a movie night in the van with popcorn and huddled together on the middle bed. 

NT trip Day 14

We continued on to Uluru. You don't forget the first look you get when it comes into view. It's overwhelming every time. The kids and Mum were gobsmacked at its sheer size and presence. You can tell why this is such a sacred site to our Indigenous people, it just exudes energy and spirituality. We explored the base - walked and drove around the perimeter and I showed the kids my favourite place at Mutitjulu waterhole from the 2016 school trip.  In the afternoon we did dot painting with some of the local indigenous women.

NT trip Day 13

Before leaving Alice Springs this morning we went to a gallery for some shopping, and to Anzac Hill for the views. Then we set off for Uluru. We stopped at Stuarts Well where I took great delight in watching Mum ride a camel. Brilliant! We decided to stop overnight at Erldunda, where we met Chuck Norris the chicken, and saw the most incredible sunset!!!

NT trip Day 12

Off to Alice Springs today, and the main part of our journey was now behind us. We visited the School of The Air which was really interesting to me as a teacher - seeing how these remote kids learned over computers and radio. We did a big stock up shop and then visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Some fascinating and interesting stuff there and another lesson in history.

NT trip Day 11

Stocked up in Tennant Creek, we headed out to the magnificent Devils Marbles. What a sight! They were just so stunning and so full of energy and mystery. Another highlight for me, despite not staying too long. From there we made our way to Wycliffe Well - a remote spot known for it's many UFO sightings. They had some fun merchandise and decor that the kids enjoyed! 

NT trip Day 10

Up and on the move again, we continued our journey south, the open road ahead and the long bare country around us. The van was performing well and we took turns in driving each day. We stopped for lunch on this day at the fun Daly Waters pub. Lots of interesting underwear collected there - I do not know... A good spot for some food in the outback, though!
The day, we had intended to stop somewhere around Renner Springs but instead pushed on to Tennant Creek where we did more laundry, and had a cider to celebrate Dads birthday over facetime.

NT trip Day 9

We got up early for our boat cruise and made our way in the dark to the jetty. Again, the thing we noticed most was the number of bats! Incredible!! They were blackening the trees with their numbers. Most disturbing was how much poo there was everywhere from them. Finn and I got a bit covered on the cruise - not so fun!!!

The cruise itself was stunning, peaceful and quite awesome and an amazing way to see the Gorge. From there we headed out to Bitter Springs and Mataranka Springs where we swam in the natural warm water - quite an amazing experience! 

NT trip Day 8

Goodbye Litchfield and back to the land of the living and phone reception today as we made our way to Katherine. The kids had a swim in the pool and we wandered around the camp looking at the area. Was not my favourite spot, the camp was more like a car park. There were bats EVERYWHERE. Mum kindly offered to book us a sunrise cruise for the next morning - her shout. 

NT trip Day 7

This day we headed out to explore after our rest afternoon - rejuvenated and keen to see the sights. We started with Florence Falls and again, getting out early beat the crowds and for a time we had the place to ourselves. It was a stunning spot, deep lagoons and shallow creeks to explore. A lovely young woman and her older mother were there swimming and the girl was a swim instructor and offered to take Rory around the lagoon for a swim with her snorkel so that she could see all the fish underwater. So lovely.
We explored the kinda cool, kinda weird termite mounds dotted all about Litchfield too.
Then we went to Buley Rockholes, by then things were far busier and it was hard to find a spot, we eventually did though, and Mum and I just sat and soaked our feet and let the water run over us while the kids played. One more stop at Tolmer Falls before we called it a day.

NT trip Day 6

This morning we checked out and went and got the awning fixed at the Britz depot. Was quite painless and quick and then we left for Litchfield. We had intended on going Berry Springs route, but too many dirt roads which were not allowed in the van so we went direct. We stayed at a pretty little caravan park in Litchfield that was shady and quiet. We decided on a rest afternoon and once set up, we sat with books and read, did some laundry, and drank some cider. It was so peaceful - no phone reception at all, completely off grid. Perfection! 

NT trip Day 5

This morning we said goodbye to Kakadu and journeyed back to Darwin. We stopped off at Howard Springs Nature Reserve for a dip, then we went and explored the Darwin Military Museum at Fannie Bay. Some pretty cool stuff and the Defence of Darwin experience was quite interesting. Hopefully, the kids learned a lot of History. Realistically, probably not :/ 

We had an incident this day. After the museum we went back to the caravan park. Then decided we'd head out to the Mindil Beach market. We went to drive off, and forgot to put the awning back. It hit a tree and half fell off. I was so upset and frustrated. Some nice guys at the park fixed it on for us, and I called Britz who said to call in to the depot the next day to have it fixed before we ventured south. Thankfully, we had the top insurance... 

Despite my frustration and upset, we still went to the beach market, though there was a point when I was trying to find the place, and trying to park the campervan where I was about to chuck it in. I was SO over it all. But we persisted, I sucked it up, and the markets were a great experience. Loads of colour, lovely stuff to buy and eat. The kids spent some spending money on hand engraved bracelets and glass animals and we all ate yummy food of different kinds. I was glad to get back and sleep that night though, it had been an enormous day.