Day 135: Daly Waters - Mataranka

It was mass exodus from the caravan park this morning. It seems people seldom stay more than one night at the Daly Waters pub.

As far as the eye could see, we were convoying with caravan after caravan. It was like playing a game of football, weaving in and out of them in an attempt to overtake. Finally we got to the front and sped off. We were free, the wind blowing through our hair. Then we made a really bad tactical decision. The sign for "Fran's Devonshire Teahouse" got our attention and we pulled over. Lazyitus set in and we couldn't be bothered getting out of the car, we hadn't been driving very long and did not have that stir-crazy feeling. After much umming and arring we decided to carry on. In the time we had faffed around almost all of the caravans had wizzed past us.

So we have arrived nice and early (ahead of all the carvans!) in Mataranka, captial of the Never Never, and secured what we thought was a nice spot in a field, empty but for a few other vans on the other side

I made a huge fry up and we sat down in the glorious sun, soaking it all up. Next thing we know, "Tickled Pink" the biggest Winnebago we have ever seen with a trailer on the back and a car decided, of all the places in all of the camp site, to park next to us.

It was as if someone had turned out the sun.

We looked at each other and said it wasn't too bad and we could put up with it. Then, like a scene from a space movie, we heard the hissing of an "airlock" opening and watched as the side of the van extended out, presumably make their interior living space bigger.

As if they didn't have enough room already.

Mataranka's attractions are huge termite mounds everywhere there is space to build them and thermal hot springs.

We spent far too long in the hot springs which were sublime. It water was crystal clear and warm. One chap floated past me and commented on how wrinkly my toes had got, to which I replied "Its a sign I have spent too long in here", a woman near by called out "We were all wrinkly when we got in!" to which I laughed and then thought maybe I was not meant too.

Emelie