Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th August, 2024
We enjoyed our visit to Florence Falls after our night in the campground. We appreciated being able to see everything more clearly in the daylight, though we had to share with lots of other tourists. After taking a couple of photos Stephen suggested we take the 135 steps down to the waterhole. I hadn't planned on that, but the stairs were fairly easy, with short flights and several landings. It was more difficult going down and up for me because of my fear of heights.
We crossed a little stream with clear water (there was a walkway, no rock hopping) and made our way around to the plunge pool. It was very busy and although we stayed for a while we didn't feel we wanted to swim there.
Next on our agenda was to see the Buley Rockholes which are popular for swimming. Again, it was quite busy and we didn't feel an urge to swim there even though it was getting hot.
We had parked in dappled shade and it was comfortable enough in the Sherwood to have our lunch.
Then back through the park to Batchelor and our fairly humble, but spacious park up in the caravan park. We had an ensuite because that was the only powered site available. It would have fitted three Sherwoods easily. The ensuite was old, but well maintained, and there was even a washing machine if I had felt like spending $4.00. I didn't, so handwashing sufficied and Stephen had to hang up the washing as the line had been put up by a tall man!
We waited out the heat of the day in air conditioning, starting out with a new type of Magnum icecream (mango, white chocolate and coconut with vanilla icecream) which was recommended by our gracious host.
In the evening it cooled down a little bit, not much.
I didn't shower in the ensuite as I encountered two tiny frogs (willing to cope) and then saw a larger frog in the shower recess (not doing it). Stephen took our awning pole with him to have a shower and said he was able to keep the frog holed up in a pipe whilst he showered.
Still, I appreciated the fact that we had a separate toilet with it's own basin, so I didn't have to go into the shower room again.
Before leaving town we went to the General Store, where there were limited supplies, and to the dump point.
Much of the local area is open savannah woodlands/grasslands, but Batchelor is quite lush, with large trees and lots of green grass. I hope it was like that when we were little children. I feel grateful to have had the chance to come here.
On our way south we stopped at Adelaide River for hot drinks and fuel. There was a store, but limited stock, so we stuck to just getting our hot drinks and enjoying being outside on the verandah. So far, the mornings are quite fresh, as they were in Darwin. Even in the afternoons there is a strong breeze that helps us manage in the heat.
The Bridge Creek Rest Area is just south of Adelaide River and not very far from Batchelor, but as it is a designated 24hr rest stop we decided to take it. We sat outside in the breeze, rather than inside where it was still 34 degrees, so pretty warm. For the first time in ages there was a distinct cooling down at sunset, very welcome of course.
Bridge Creek Rest Area
This morning at about 5.00 a.m. I woke up feeling a bit chilly and switched off the fan and pulled up the doona. This is what we've been hoping for as we head south, that the nights would be cooler even though the day time temperatures will be in the low to mid thirties.
We don't know if there is water in the creek. It's a bit dangerous to walk out on the bridge and the long grass at the edge of the rest area could have snakes. It's not sensible to explore. Some people at Florence Falls yesterday warned us they had seen a brown snake. We had though of walking through to the lower campsite, but gave up immediately.
Magnetic Termite Mounds
The termite mounds are called 'magnetic' because they have a large surface facing north/south as a way for the termites to survive the heat. They look a bit like gravestones.
Cathedral Termite Mound
No comments:
Post a Comment