Exciting times guys!!!  We are on the countdown for TWO reasons.  One, until we finish work and set off again, and Two, my brother is coming, my brother is coming.  Everyone was full of beans waiting Brian and Gypsy's arrival.  To calm ourselves down, we took the BBQ to Howard Springs Reserve for a quiet picnic.

                                                        Lovely afternoon

Another way we kept ourselves amused was by doing a cruise on the Adelaide River to see the Jumping Crocodiles.  Wow, what an experience that was.  We have seen so many croc's, in the wild and in zoo's, but this was something else.  Two massive big salties, Brutus and Dominator, jumped up and ate the buffalo off the wire rod, only centre meters from us.  One even hit the boat.  A must-do, if your in the area.

                                                    Dinosaurs of the water

The day had finally arrived and the kids and I set off to the Darwin Airport.  Note to self: NEVER take four extremely excited children an hour early to the Airport awaiting the arrival of a favourite Uncle!!!!!!  Their plane landed and after the kids nearly bowled Brian over, we met Gypsy and headed back to the park.  What can I say, we had an AWESOME week together.  Lots of drinking and laughing and storytelling was done by all.  Also, we took them to Humpty Doo Hotel and just because it was so great, we took them to the Jumping Crocs too.  A day at Litchfield was also a must, as well as the Museum and of course the sunset markets at Mindil, where we ran into friends from Landsborough,(the lovely Pryde family) who are also doing their own awesome adventure. We also just relaxed around the pool.  It was a week I will never forget.  I want to say a massive thanks to my gorgeous husband for making it happen, and to Brian, the best brother and uncle we could ask for, it meant the world to me and I will never, ever forget it and to Gypsy, for putting up with us all (especially Sammi hanging off her 24/7) and being a wonderful addition to our family.

                                                     THE WEEK THAT WAS!!!
 
 Waiting at the Airport                                                     Love this!!!

 

  
                                        LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK

 

   
 Gypsy and I holding our own at the pub       Best Uncle EVER (I turned around and found this)

 

  
 Troy having his nana nap in the car               Two of the most important Men in my life                                                                                  and a  special new friend

                                          The lovely Pryde kids, Maddy, Eli and Lara
                                                The kids miss you already
                                          

Well, goodbyes totally suck! I was lucky though it was only a few days until we hitched up and was due to set off, so I had heaps to do.  Number One....what roast to have in the camp oven the first night??? Oh how we have missed a simple campfire.  We had met some lovely people while in Darwin, and it showed with how many goodbye drinks we had to have, (not that I'm complaining).  A big shout out to Jenny and Daryl, our neighbours at the park who put up with us and our singing!!!!!!!  The moment had come, FINALLY.  Picture this, the van hooked up, last  goodbye hugs for Jenny, kids in belts, kiss for luck AND On The Road Again playing as loud as it could go, windows down, all singing, everyone waving to us = PURE GOLD!!!  Our journey never stopped, but we were so excited to start the next chapter.

Kakadu National Park, HERE WE COME...  Our first stop was just shy off the "National Park", a lovely spot called Shady Camp.  We pick our camp, the one with the fire wood already there caught our eye, and just like old pro's, the van was set up, beer in hand and on our way to throw a few lures at the Wetlands.  It was sooo peaceful  (that is after Troy knocked a squawking Corella out of the tree with a rock).  Dinner on the fire was great, but the highlight of the night was watching the sunset, with its magical colours over the barrage, and to top it off, a Jabiru flying through it.  One of our top three sunsets on the trip thus far.

                             On the road again, like a band of gypsy's we go down the highway                

                                                           Troy caught a little Barra

                                                Looks like we've been here for weeks hey

                     No picture will ever do a sunset justice, lucky this one is imprinted in our minds


We have entered Kakadu.  With a stop off at the information centre, and new hats for three (Kaicey didn't want to part with her money) we set up camp at Merl Campground.  We were ready to explore
and found ourselves very quickly on a Guluyambi Cultural Tour on the East Alligator River.  Run and operated by the Aboriginal traditional owners,they took us down the river, showing and explaining bush tucker, bush remedies and bush knowledge.  Neville, our guide, also took us onto Arnhem Land where he demonstrated how he still lives off the land with his spear throwing abilities. 
                      
 Spear throwing demo                                                              New hats!!!

 

                  
 The start of the tour (daddy and two of his girls)       Me holding a spear thrower (Woomera) with
                                                                                 my oldest baby and my youngest nose picker baby                                                                      

 

                                                               Us on Arnhem Land

                                                             Camp at Merl Campground

The next morning we set off with high expectations as we were going to Ubirr, where the rock art depicts traditional foods and tells stories about law and creation.  We were not disappointed.  Learning so much about the traditional Aboriginals has given us more respect for their beliefs, laws and traditions, which the older generations are fearing will be lost with the new generation.  I truly believe we have seen something very special to our land, some of these art sites are at least 50,000 years old.

 

                 

 

             
                                   

                                       

The view from Nadab lookout was incredible, and reminded me of a scene in the movie Crocodile Dundee, which I'm pretty sure was filmed here.  We went back to watch the sunset.

                                     " That bushy bit over there, that's where the croc got me"

                                                         on the way up

                                                               hahahahahahah

                                                            Sunset on Nadab Lookout

 

 The next day we were told to be at Cahills Crossing, the only entrance to Arnhem Land, at high tide.  This is when the crocs ski over the crossing to fish.  Its also where some very brave ( I say down right dumb ass people) also like to fish!!!!!

                                     Can you see the croc in the not so distant background

 

We loved Ubirr, but it was time to move on.  Gunlom Falls was our next destination.   I wonder now if we had of know how rough the dirt road was prior, would we still have gone???? Yep, I reckon we would have.  It was pretty cool, a fairly difficult trek up, but it was so worth it.  A 30something degree day and a prospect of croc free swimming.  We were there, and it was special.  Plus, having someone as handy as Troy to tend to repairs is all you need!!!!
    
                                           Top of the falls, looking down on creation.......

 

                       


All reared up and ready to embark the roughest road the van has been on to date, we head off with our sights set on Katherine.  It was time to replenish stocks.  We later found out that it was the 'Katherine Festival', which was a huge surprise as not one person we seen in Katherine was in the festive mood!!!  Anyway, the Katherine Gorge, or traditionally known as Nitmiluk, was a lovely surprise.  We decided that the best way to see as much of the gorge was to see it by boat.  So, we booked a two gorge cruise.  It was beautiful!!! Apparently, the Butterfly Gorge of Nitmiluk is the most photographed.  We also had the pleasure of meeting Lane Beachley, and her Partner, Kirk from INXS.  Kaicey now wants to be famous!!!

                                                The lovely Lane Beachley and kiddies

 

Wasting no time, we arrived at Bitter Springs, Mataranka.  Wow, wow, wow!!! Swimming in these hot springs were delightful.  Hard work with twinnies on your back though.  We ran into Lane and Kirk there too, who took some family shots for us.
    
                                                Bitter Springs, not so bitter at all!!!!

 

While at Bitter Springs, we were told about a camp in Elsey National Park.  A great camp too, they even provided fire wood! Being on a good thing, we stayed two nights and had camp ovens and explored the lovely surrounds, including Mataranka Thermal Pool.
                  
                                                           Awesome camp at Elsey NP

 

            
                                                          Day visit to Mataranka

 

            
                                           Swimming pontoons at Elsey NP


Our next destination was planned, but not very well thought through.  We had heard so much about Daly Waters Historic Pub, and arrived there about 10:30am.... Ahhh well, a beer and a barra burger later and we are thinking we could stay here a while.
     
                                                                                   The iconic leave your bra pub

 

 
                                                    Wonder where Max gets it from

 

That's where!!!! 

 

         

 

 So thinking we could stay here a while.  So much history here.  We are very very excited about hitting the ThreeWays and also the Devil's Marbles.  There is so much in the Red Centre, like Uluru and Kings Canyon, not to mention the McDonnell Ranges that have been on our bucket list.  We intend to explore this part of the country in depth.  Don't be alarmed if you don't hear from us as we are not sure what service is like in these amazing places.

Having the time of our lives, enjoying being a whole unit once more, and if anything, it has cemented what we want out of life when we finish this wondrous journey.

Until next time
Love ya's all
The Travelling Bryants xxxxx

P.S Kate Brady, you have a place in my heart and life forever more (Happy Birthday)

P.P.S  I learnt how to cut and paste..lol...