Lajamanu

Just arrived in Lajamanu, a community on the edge of the Tanami desert. Lots going on here, there is sorry business 'cause someone died last week, the footy is on and the state-wide testing has just finished, as well as it being the week of the annual get-together for local (ie, less than 200km apart) schools...

I've had a busy week as well, didn't have reception for parts of it and didn't get a chance to blog so here is a quick update:

1. Found the Lost City of Litchfield. (For future explorers, it's down the 4WD track marked 'Lost City'). Was a gorgeous collection of sandstone, all weathered down with trees growing through the stones, archways and towers.
2. Swimming at Wangi falls, Florence Falls, Buley... all disgustingly picture-esque. Like being in a NT tourism ad. Replete with fish, hot pools and waterfalls. And I got paid while driving through it all :o)
3. Rosella cheesecake. Yes, thats right, they make cheesecake out of rosella's out here. And if you're having the same reaction i did, then let me assure you that rosellas are small flowers as well as brightly coloured parrots.
4. Croc-Spot Night cruise - Yay! Got to see the crocodiles that live in Katherine River (as well as unlimited sausages and wine ;o) was a very happy girl. The dominant male hurt his foot a couple of days ago so we managed to get pretty close while they were feeding him. Poor bloke, still has to defend the territory so dragged himself up onto the sand and over the logs with a dogdy leg.

The kids have been varied - ranging from a kleptomaniac pre-schooler to a Year 11 student who build a bridge by stickytaping about 50 straws in a big bundle (which broke almost instantly once the truck tried to drive over it) to a group of 8 8-15 yr olds who haven't had much schooling (and hence reading/numeracy levels of about preschool kids) who sat down and actually loved the puzzles, even the number ones ;o)

It's been a pretty good week, it's tough being out of range and wanting to talk to people, got things to organise re: real estate and other things as well but guess thats the flip side to this job. Makes having a life in Canberra a bit harder than normal.

Hope everyone is happy n healthy - am loving the NT and tommorrow am gonna see if i can get the kids to take me out stomping in the desert.