Greetings from Pine Creek, the traditional lands (as recognised under native title) of the Wagiman, Jawoyn Bolmo Matjba and Wurrkbarbar people. We arrived here this afternoon after a great few days of seeing the sights of Katherine and the surrounding areas. Warning, lots of photos to follow - feel free to scroll through quickly!

On Thursday we had the last of the 5+ hour drives for a few weeks, much to the relief of the kids. We were very excited to check into our cabin just out of the township of Katherine, which was a lovely spacious 2 bedder. The kids were very thrilled to have their first swim of the trip, and I was equally chuffed to get a load of washing on and hung out, safe in the knowledge that it would be dry within 12 hours rather than the 4 days it takes at home at the moment. We all get our kicks where we find them!

On Friday we headed to the Katherine Show and Rodeo, which was a great vibe. Definitely a bit more low key that the Easter Show in Sydney, so a good way to ease the kids into the concept. We're still hoping to hold them off from the real deal for another few years!!

Saturday was a tricky day, as it was a year since I lost my amazing Dad. I knew I wanted to get out into nature somewhere, so on the recommendation of my official trip sponsor (hi Claire!) we headed to Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park. And it was just beautiful. Not too busy, and hardly anyone in the water. Toby chose to wait it out (he's really not keen on nature waterways, especially the deep ones!) but Bob and I and the girls made the 150 m swim from the banks over to the falls, which felt like a real accomplishment (even with assistance of some pool noodles). The water was brisk but crystal clear, and the craggy cliffs overhead were just gorgeous in the sunlight. Josie definitely feels the cold a lot quicker the Nora, so Bob took her back to shore quickly, while Nora and I took our time, enjoying the water.

In the evening we headed back to the show to see some of the rodeo, which I was very excited about. I still have a strange connection to a rodeo after reading a few (cough hundred cough) cowboy themed romance novels, so despite the animal cruelty, highly gendered nature of the events and the significant risk of serious injuries, I can't help but be enthralled! Bob did make me promise not to run away with a cowboy, and I gave him my word, along with a suggestion that he look into a cowboy hat and some boots....

Eventually I tore myself away and found Bob and the kids enjoying some dodgems, and then the kids had a go at the sideshow games. We did make them promise that they would be donating all but one of the toys that they might win to Vinnies before we leave town, given the limited amount of storage space. After my disappointment at the lack of fresh fairy floss, I was desperate to have a hot fresh cinnamon donut, but tragically I left my run too late, and they were all sold out 😭

On Sunday morning we went on a tour of 3 of the 13 gorges in Nitmiluk National Park (also known as Katherine Gorge). The park was handed back to the traditional owners, the Jaowyn people, in 1989 and we are so fortunate that they continue to share the country and their culture with us.

Again, we underestimated how cold and windy it might be, so Josie struggled for the first hour or so, but she warmed up eventually and even had a swim in the 2nd gorge (which the rangers assured us was croc free!).

The gorge itself was just spectacular, as was all the cultural, historical, botanical and geographical information that our guide Aaron shared with use. For instance, despite a degree in Australian history, I didn't actually know that the Northern Territory was annexed by South Australia in the 1860's until it was surrendered to the Australian Government in 1910.

We said goodbye to Katherine, after dropping into the Mimi Aboriginal Arts and Crafts where I started my search for the right painting/s to bring some colour to our white walls. I know it will take me a while to feel confident enough to make a big purchase, but in the meantime I got some cute earrings and cushion covers!

We've had our first deviation from the official itinerary today - I had been booked in to a few days at an arts centre on the Bagala People of the Jawoyn Nation, but unfortunately I found out at the last minute that we needed a permit to enter the closed community that would take 10 days to process. Plus we were hoping to get to organise a tour onto country, but the tour coordinators were too busy having a baby to work around our schedule. So we sent our best wishes to the new arrival and changed our plans to spend 2 nights at the Pine Creek Railway Resort, an hour north of Katherine. It had a family cabin available and a pool on site, so we've booked in the next day and a bit to have a bit of R&R. The girls have already tried out the pool, and the plan for tomorrow is to lounge around in the sun, maybe with a beer or two. And probably do a load of washing 😉