Barkly Homestead

As we predicted, the second night at the rest area was a nice one. There was a difference though: Just the four of us last night; the second night we counted 22 caravans and motorhomes. And because our fire was lit, it worked like a honeypot: we ended up with 7 couples around the fire. They brought their chairs and drinks and we had a fablulous evening. Next morning one by one the vans left, and so did we, on or way to Camoweal. We arrived there shortly after noon, set up camp in a caravanpark, and rushed for the toilets and showers. In the afternoon we walked to the local pub and had a drink, but the far north is an expensive area to buy a beer: $4.60 !! . Next morning I took just the car to fill up with diesel and had another expensive experience: $ 1.98 per liter (although this was expected to be that way). After hooking up the caravan we left around 10 am.

The first rest area was not what we expected, so we decided to move on to the second:  Soudan. Nice place beside the highway, a dingo just crossing the road in front of us, plenty of room for a nice camp under a few trees. Later the afternoon a few other vans joined us and we ended the day again with a gathering around a quiet camp fire.

We woke up around 7 with the sound of howling dingo's just across the road. We could not see them but there were plenty of them. Quite impressive, I had never heard them this close. Again we left around 9 am and had in mind to stop for another night in the bush, but the area was not too inviting, so we decided to drive to Barkly Homestead. And that's where we are now. On our way we passed another caravan who had an accident and tipped on its side. Thank God no injuries, fellow travellers where with them and professional help was on its way. No need for us to be of any assistance. It just reminded us to drive carefully. We will stay one night here at Barkly Homestead and move on tomorrow in the direction of 41 Mile Bore; a restarea just before the "Three ways" : the junction where the major north-south highway (the Stuart Higway) and east-west highway ( the Overlander) meet. At Three Ways we will turn North towards Darwin, our first stop is to be at Banka Banka Station. We plan to be there on Wednesday and propably stay a few days.