Recent adventures in the top north!

March 19 -  the Rotary Club of Katherine hosted us at a BBQ & home made pizza in the oven at the Rotary Fun Park. 8 members attended & a pledge was made. They raise money at the Races selling programmes, and food at the Show. They provide a free sausage sizzle for each new intake of RAAF people. Graham spoke at the Darwin Breakfast meeting & it was well received. A cheque for $200 has been sent from the Rotaty Club of Katherine.

While in Darwin, Doug repaired the clutch cylinder on  the car.

March 20 - we all met up at Victoria River roadhouse & camped FOC the cleanest cafe in Australia. The floor is washed 5 times daily.

Next day over the border to WA. Tui had to  hand over all her fruit as we crossed the border. On to Kununurra. Grahames’ bike computer showed a brake problem, so we stayed the night in cabins in case repairs were needed, but the brakes are operating OK. Hopefully it was a  false alarm. We all had a swim in the pool & spotted the crocs as we were on the shore of Lake Argyle.

March 22 -  Through Bungle Bungle country & encountered a bit of religion. 

• At the first roadhouse we met an Aboriginal Pastor & his lovely wife on  their way back to Kempsey. Not only did they donate $20 but they gave us a blessing.
• We tuned into the Church service on the local radio with messages & songs of praise.
• At the next roadhouse met Catholic missionaries on their way to work at a drug & alcohol rehab centre run by the Mormon Church.
• At Halls Creek, while refuelling we heard a preacher from the hall next door so I went in & attended the service called the Bush Fire Church run by lovely young Aboriginal man, 2 guitar players, and a mini bus load of parishioners from Fitzroy crossing in attendance. 

So, I got 4 in one day, my cup runneth over.

The radio also sent out regular messages like: “don't drink & drive”, “learn to swim”, “cut down on sugar”. They are supplying “eat healthy school canteens” with hot nutritional meals: curry and tuna mornay. The stores are owned by each community, and the profits go back to the locals.

We were offered FOC camping at Fitzroy Crossing, but another locust plague had descended & we were knee deep in the camp area. (So much religion and still a plague of locusts!!!) Even the pool had to be closed as it was full of locusts. We went into town & camped at another park where the locusts were not quite so bad. It  was $200 per night in cabins & we were loathe to spend that much, but as the accommodation is all owned by the same Aboriginal corporation we had no choice.

The towns were in good order & the houses are mostly new. The local people were working on roadworks, building footpaths & picking up rubbish. The scenery through the Kimberleys was spectacular.

March 23 - To Broome where we had an offer of camping FOC. It was super hot, with thunder and clouds so we opted for on-site vans. Doug had to replace the thermal switch on the bike. It was running-repairs for the boys today, & tonight the local Rotary club are coming to the BBQ area in the park where the boys will be doing their stuff.

We are nearly half way in kms. & $15,000 raised so are going OK.