Pine Creek Gap

Had the final weekend and said goodbye to Jan's B&B, which was a pretty good home for a weekend or two. Had a sinus migrane since Thursday and it was worst on Friday (while trying to manage a group of 20 excited primary school kids) and Saturday (while at Katherine Gorge so had to sit quietly in the canteen while others went to lookout... although Jamos did take pity on me and once the Nurofen kicked in we wandered a little bit to a beach and played Poohsticks so wasn't too bad in the end). So am exhausted now.

This morning we headed off to Katherine Gorge for a 7am breakfast cruise. We went up the first two gorges, walking past some artwork on the side of the Gorge by the Jawoyn people. They put in a claim for the land in 1971 and got native title in 1989 (or around there) and now they are responible for maintaining the park and run the tours.The breakfast was nothing specatacular and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) was nice... but i think i preferred Porcupine Gorge in Hugenden (QLD). But I wish I had the time to do an overnight canoe up the river and camp - it wouls have been gorgeous (he) to canoe along the Gorge early or late before any of the other boats arrived... and I haven't been kayaking for ages. Something to do if I ever come back this way.

So then we headed off to Edith Falls, and went for a quick swim. There are freshwater crocodiles in the area but they tend to run in the other direction - and while they can get up to 2m long, they aren't as aggressive as saltys. It was pretty nice - again, the water was amazingly clear. Never thought of the NT as a premier swimming place but it's great - particularly because it's all freshwater so you don't get the salt up your nose.

Then we got to our next stop - Pine Creek. Bit bigger than i imagined but the school only has 50 kids from Transition through to Year 6 so it's still tiny. Visiting school tommorrow and will stay here tommorrow night as well.

Try to post again soon.
Net