Larrimah to Elsey National Park 18th July 2009

We packed up ready to leave and parked the car and trailer in front of the pub. We walked around the pub to look at the birds in the cages with different species from all around Australia. There were also under some very heavy wire meshing, two fresh water crocodiles that looked really sorry for themselves. It was all a bit of a zoo and all this right next to the beer garden and overnight rooms and where we had stayed the night before. The next stop was the museum (the old telegraph station) which gave the history of the area which was mainly from when the troops, airfield and hospital were all located in the general area. Actually from the turn off of the Barkly highway on to the Stuart (Explorers Way) either side has many sites indicated that were used during the Second World War.

We looked over and saw Len who was cranking up the old Viva Vauxhall motor in his Train engine and walked over to him. We were set to go but as it was just Beatrice and I he asked me to give a shout to some others who had stayed the night to see if they would like to come for the ride. It only took 11 so when the word went out we had our quota, Len invited me to be his co driver and we set off. The line looked quite overgrown but the train just ploughed through it all, with us every now and again getting swiped by branches and leaves as we made our way along the straight and narrow track for about 5 Klms. It was very much scrub land with cattle grazing and the odd Kangaroos jumping through the bush startled by the noise of our motor. Eventually we stopped on a viaduct perched over a (now dried up) river, as the rest of the line to Birdham hadn’t been cleared sufficiently enough for us to get through. Len said they were working on it as it had to be ready for the second weekend in September when they are holding a “Back to Birdham” get together and are expecting many to turn up. It will then go as far as Birdham where they have started to rebuild the old pub there as well. Right now though, Len switched the gears and we reversed all the way back to the Larrimah pub. It was great fun and I think most of the others enjoyed it as well.

We said our goodbyes and set off for the National Park at Elsey where we wanted to spend the night. What a serene place, with no generators allowed it was blissfully quiet. We set up and went for a walk down to the Roper River where there were pontoons for swimming. I had my bather on but when Beatrice read the notice about the possibilities that crocodiles might be lurking about she put up such a show and insisted that I shouldn't go in. After all she said if something happened to me how she would manage on her own with the trailer etc!!

OK so we went for a walk through the bush and along the river and a small waterfall and made our way back to the trailer. So quiet, I gathered some wood and lit a fire ready for us to sit out by in the evening as Beatrice made our dinner.

It was a great evening, we enjoyed our red wine by the sitting by the fire in the cool of the evening and then enjoyed a game of Scrabble. (Beatrice cheated!)