We had time to call in at Bitter Springs near Mataranka on our way to Daly Waters. It is a really beautiful spot, and RMS added another new bird to his list – the Lemon-bellied Flycatcher.
When we left Katherine at about 8am, the temp was already 19, but on arrival at Daly Waters it was only 25 (up until then it would usually be 30 or more in the middle of the day) – so perhaps the really hot days and warm nights will be fewer, as we travel further south.
The caravan park at the Daly Waters Pub filled up as the day went on, and in the end there was hardly any space around us, and vans were even filling the overflow section.
Amazing when you think it is a hot, barren place in the middle of nowhere!
The pub has been there since the 1930’s when it was a Drover’s Store. It is famous for its odd signs
and memorabilia of all sorts, collected over many years; it’s also famous for the Barra and Beef meals it serves, and the entertainment provided.
The initial singer/guitarist played as the 3 sittings of meals were served. He was good - picked the demographic and did not sing one song written after 1960 (he was the same age) and we sang along to many of the old hits. One couple got up and had a dance, and he said to them “Remember there’s no hospital here, and no cemetery either!”
Then at 7.30, Chilli came on with his comedy routine which had us roaring with laughter and we haven’t stopped laughing since! Rob S said he hadn’t laughed so much since going to Barry Humphries.
Daly Waters was really interesting for its history, too. The explorer John McDouall Stuart discovered and named the place, and later the Overland Telegraph Line passed through, along his track.
There is a hangar there that was used during WW2 and is now a National Trust site.
The airport was the first international airport in Australia, with aircraft from Singapore, and all around Australia arriving to refuel. It was taken over by the RAAF in 1939 as a strategic air force base and was also used by US forces.
One new bird for RMS – a Masked Finch. Great views of them bathing in puddles from a sprinkler.
No comments:
Post a Comment