Litchfield National Park
But first Dundee Beach
Dundee Beach is only about 180 K’s West of Darwin. There is only really a caravan park there, but that’s enough. Like most Caravan parks up here there is always a bar attached to it with the usual happy hour. The bar is right next to a small headland, beach and boat ramp. It’s a lovely place to sit and watch the great sunsets from.
I stayed there for four days and had a great time. I drove down this real rough dirt road and caught up with my old mate Lenny, (The guy with the golf scooter and one leg I played golf with at Humpty Doo).
Lenny has been camped down there for a week. We got out our bows and let some arrows loose. I haven’t had mine out since…. Lenny has two bows, so he’s really keen.
I booked a fishing charter the next day and had no trouble finding it the next morning (not like last time). We went out 45 K’s to a lot of little reefs and there were plenty of fish to be caught. My mate Tim caught the biggest one, a red emperor 75 cm. He was really wrapped. I didn’t do to bad either.
Later on at happy hour, Tim and his wife and I were having a few drinks. I told them I was at King Ash Bay and Tim asked did I do a fishing charter. I proceeded to tell him the whole story of missing out due to going the wrong direction. Suddenly Tim said, “That was you we were waiting for”. What a small world. He told me about all the problems he had with the charter and he would never go again. That made me feel better.
Headed out with the freezer full of fish bound for The Banyan Tree Caravan Park, just on the edge of Litchfield National Park (Highly recommended by Tim and now me). Met up with my new neighbor's John and Felicity Who I enjoyed happy hour with every night. They are from Canberra and are on the road full time now. When I mentioned Narooma they said, “we were married at Narooma” (Can't get away from anyone)
I just went on my own during the day and explored the park over the next three days.
I drove just over 300 K’s, Swam approx. 6 Hrs and walked around 30K’s. A lot of that walking was steep and rocky too, but the swimming was just heaven.
As expected I was pretty buggered each night, so looked forward to a shower and happy hour.
The one attraction I really wanted to see was The Lost City, Unfortunately it was closed due to major road works.
I won’t go into anymore detail as I’ll let my photos do the talking.
Speaking of photos, there are a couple that I took that I’m very proud of and it wouldn’t mean much to you if I didn’t explain. I was taking a photo of some fish in the water and discovered that when the shadows and light were right I could get tremendous effects. When you first see it it looks like a digitally enhanced shot, but it’s not and that’s how it was taken off the camera. I have used them also in the new card to show where the shots are from. (a not to Eddie, now that’s an award winning shot Ed)
Eddie is an old friend of mine that I used to work with in Adelaide. We worked as salesman for Goldtemp who the owner of is Colin who now resides in England (Hi Col, He reads this blog so I’d better be nice). Any way,we had the greatest time, We travelled all over SA and a lot of Victoria. Col put up a contest for the top salesman for the company, I was working in Ballarat at the time and the contest went for several months. Eddie, working from Adelaide was so far in front of everyone he started celebrating too early. Meanwhile, I was quietly working and gathering momentum. At the very last I came right up to his score and he started to cry. I mean, worry.
Eddie finished being the winner, but I have my suspicions that he was doing the counting. Great memories.
Kay and I travelled to Adelaide a few years ago and met up with Eddie, and his x, Emanuela who I hadn’t seen for about 30 years. Also Colin and Carol came out from England and we meet up as well. Very treasured friends.
I headed out of Litchfield and ended up at Bitter Springs near Mataranka. There is a natural spring that flows down a little stream where the water temperature is around 33* , crystal clear and turquoise in color, (well being a male I'm more than likely completely wrong with the color selection, but if you women have trouble just ask a bloke and hell interoperate for you, because more than likely he will have the same problem as me)
The stream is about 100 Mts long and everyone rides a noodle down and walk back on the path and do it all again. The water feels very therapeutic.
14th Sept.
Not sure where I'll head to now, North, South, East or West???? I'll have another bourbon and decide.
Hope you are all well and safe just as I am.
See you real soon.
Doug and Wilson
