We woke to find a random free-range cow wandering the free camp – keen to get into the Hunter’s van…

It was so skinny and very thirsty so grateful for the water we put out for it…tho’ it appeared a little fascinated by Gordie’s butt!!

Trev and Gordie had heel issues – Trev’s fin chop had been the target of a caravan handbrake and a couple of rocks which kept jumping out and hitting it – and Gordie had to take a leaf from Rosie’s book on foot maintenance and wrap his cracked foot in heel balm and gladwrap!

Branch averted a near disaster when MacGyver drove off with his side window open..

Mataranka as just a short drive away so we left early, grabbed a coffee in Katherine and made our way to Bitter Springs at Mataranka and were fortunate to get 3 sites together at the caravan park there.

After a quick lunch we walked down to the springs and spent a couple of hours floating down the creek enjoying the ambience!!

The spring water was a clear as crystal and a balmy 30 degrees in temp!! The location in Elsey National Park was perfect – tall palms and gums with the aqua creek flowing gently and lined with reeds and lilies….

Rose and Dave gave their noodles a workout!

Guess who started a new fashion????

And a novel way to cart Kerry’s noodle home….

Back to camp for coffee and then out to Mataranka Homestead for another springwater swim – Bitter Springs is much prettier and more “natural” as the homestead springs were lined with concrete steps and much more “civilised”. We felt somewhat like we were sitting in a heated spa full of geriatrics (with a few babies thrown in)!!