Packed up and then went down to the Bitter Springs Thermal Pools for a hot dip. It was a great experience for all involved. Okie and Craig were great by assisting some of the wheelies to get across the creek and also further on up the creek. We then headed to Adelaide River stopping at the War Memorial and Australian War Graves. We arrived in the afternoon at the caravan park in Batchelor, later doing some repairs to the trailer. After setting up camp, we had time for a beer. Stu, Bob and the rest of their gang turned up at about 6pm after their catch up from Alice Springs. The Caravan Park owners put on a sausage sizzle, which we all attended. Okie (Karel – Dutch backpacker) met another couple of Dutch backpackers (Maria and Carolyn) who spent the night sharing stories and pics with us.
The next morning we woke to learn that Mic and Rachelle had a guardian angel nestled beside them on their swags for the night……not many people can say they had an emu for a sleep over! The joy on their faces was precious. Now that’s Gold! Magic does happen in the great outback! Another early start to get back on that rainbow to our friends and we drove until the worms starting biting for lunch. We pulled into an eccentric little town called Alleron – ‘The UFO capital of Australia!’ It was both fascinating and bizarre, certainly a must see on your travels! The cafe was covered in newspaper clippings of UFO and alien sightings, it certainly tickled both interest and wonderment of the universe. After a very interesting and entertaining chat with a gentleman who ‘had seen them’, we shared our lunch with fellow travellers, and it was back in the trucks to complete our mission. Stu, Mick and Chrissy decided to press on while Bob, Lana and Rochelle stopped at Mataranka to enjoy a dip in the natural thermal springs. We finally arrived at Batchelor in the Litchfield National Park early that night, joyous to be back with the gang once more.
