TECHNICAL TWADDLE

THE RIG

THE BLOKE AT LITCHFIELD

Hi there again. This is just a little special episode, so to speak, mainly for the fellas. I have noticed that when in caravan parks there are several subjects which seem to crop up again and again between the blokes. I thought that I would put in a special entry just for these subjects.
To refresh your minds, we are driving a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser, 100 series, V8, petrol. Now I sense that most blokes have just reared back in horror – yes, petrol and boy is she thirsty!! TBBITW, who is sitting next to me at the moment and is my consultant for this edition, has just quoted “As any bloke knows, blokes just love to see their car take a good long drink”. This seems to be especially true of service station owners!! In answer to your next question, the consumption is roughly 4 ks to the litre. It might interest you to know that as he said that, the bloke seemed to be having trouble enunciating and was turning a rather alarming hue of purple! Yes, our beloved cruiser is a thirsty fella. Doug generally now drives by the rev counter, staying as much as possible on 2000rpm and not using Cruise Control. He finds that Cruise Control is not really good for towing and does not give the best fuel consumption. There have been many suggestions regarding having a gas tank/conversion done but the drama there is losing space as the spare tyre sits under the car and would have to then be put somewhere else. As we are on the road for the long term and carry so much ‘stuff’, space is at a premium.
The additions to the car since we left home are a pair of “Rock Tamers” which pretty much keep the stones off the van. They were purchased in WA and cost $430 – we have seen them much more expensive elsewhere. They are big brutish looking characters and have evoked quite a few enquiries. The other addition is air-bags – purpose being to more evenly distribute the weight and level the car while towing. Doug is very pleased with the result on that one. We have also added an auxiliary battery from which to run the fridges. This also works well. Apart from being a bit of a ‘guzzler’ we have had no problems at all with the car (apart from bogging it once – not the fault of the car!)
One of the most frequently discussed areas is air pressure, both in the vehicle and the van – after considerable reading and research, Doug has settled on 36 in the front and 38 at the back in the car and in the van 50. We have a slow leak in one of the van tyres and we were fortunate enough to have a wonderful young fella ‘plug’ it for us. That was a couple of months ago and it has held up well since then. The tyre still leaks but super slowly – we will have it fixed in Darwin and ‘we’ will be looking to buy one of those them there ‘repair plug kits’.
The van has a couple of maintenance problems now – the first one was the ‘Smart Charger’ which charges up the 12 volt in the van – Doug discovered one morning that this was ‘smoking’ and we quickly removed it and replaced it with a different model. We were alarmed that it appeared the charger could have caught fire (it had not had a lot of use) and that would have been a disaster with the flammable stuff in the boot of the van, not to mention the gas bottle near-by.
One of the main topics of conversation in the van parks is the weight of the van (dry and full) and the certification on the van. Most are certified to carry 400ks and it is generally agreed that this is not enough, especially if you are carrying water. The chasse on our van is very strong and would easily carry more. We have heard of some people convincing their manufacturers to increase the load stated on the specification plate on the van – we have not been so fortunate.
As stated in my last blog, one of our hatches blew off this week and we now have to have that replaced. We had the sound system blow up in an electrical storm in WA. The loo leaks water sometimes, (caused by excessive water pressure). We have bent the radio aerial, but it seems still to be functional. The washing machine is non operational, we think due to a crack in the lid. On a lighter note, we have blown up two kettles (sort of) due largely to the high calcium content in the water in SA and NT. We now soak them with white vinegar frequently to avoid this happening. I tried to kill the microwave by turning it on for some 15 mins without anything in it.. The decorative covers on the hinge for the TV have been removed due to severe annoyance. I have almost given up trying to keep the floor in the van clean due to the very large and dirty feet of a certain person. Doug, due to his height and some sort of brain fade, has now a very bumpy and lumpy head indeed, due to the incalculably numerous times he has hit his head on the air-con and the cupboards. The toilet roll holder has fallen off one too many times and now remains in the cupboard where it will probably see out it’s less than useful life. We now use our own home made stuff in the loo canister – we probably will not continue to do this, as I think the home made stuff smells worse that the urine – so probably back to the drawing board on that one. The car has been emptied and re-stacked 3 times now and it is still pretty much impossible to find anything. Read ditto for the boot and tunnel in the van. The golf clubs have not seen the light of day since we left home. I am not any fitter, but definitely much fatter for going up and down the steps into the caravan. The inside of the van has also been ‘gone thru’ at least half a dozen times and we still have no space left and everything is still jam packed. We have two modems for our laptops – one Telstra and one Optus. Doug’s mobile is Telstra while mine is Optus. Optus has been next to useless as the places where we have service are too few to mention. Telstra on the other hand, despite being just about the most annoying company in the world to deal with, has service almost everywhere. We have been very impressed with number of places where we have had TV reception and the number of channels available – no doubt about to change now with the launch of wide-spread digital. We have learnt to live together in very small quarters indeed without actually throttling each other (not that we both haven’t felt the need once or twice!).
Oh, we have cameras. One on the back of the Cruiser and one on the back of the van. Both are invaluable. The one on the car is brilliant when we are hitching up. We have a Treg (I think that is right) hitch – sorry if I blunder here, my consultant, despite my dire warnings not to, is now pushing up snores from the bed – much to the astonishment of our 4 footed guests!. Yours truly backs the car onto the hitch and as you may appreciate due to the size of the van and the type of hitch, I have to have it precisely right. The camera is a huge boon in this area. The reason I do it incidentally, is not that I am so good, but rather that Doug is far more patient than me. Also, he has to adjust the height of the van as I back towards the hitch – much easier for him to do than me. The only problem is that the camera, whilst giving a really good view of just where I need to be, does distort distance and I always seem much further away than I actually am. Pretty much the same as the caravan mirrors we all attach to our vehicles when towing – aren’t they a bugger for distance? Looks like that road train is a million miles away when in fact, he is actually trying to have sex with the van!!
The same applies to the camera on the back of the van – it does warn you about the road-train approaching, but it belies the distance somewhat. We also use walkie-talkies. Just short range hand held jobs. We have our main one on Ch 18 and also carry one on Ch 40 – this covers us pretty well and we find them quite handy. They are also a help when manoeuvring the van into caravan bays. Even tho’ him indoors has a bit of trouble hearing me on the 2-way, it is better than shouting. We seem to have the manoeuvring thing down pretty well now and we haven’t had a DA about this yet.
What else to you want to know? Beer and wine consumption has fluctuated, market has gone down, amazement at political affairs has gone up, weight has gone up, fitness levels are down, food consumption has fluctuated dependant on the mood of the cook, petrol prices have fluctuated but generally have been on the increase, wind expulsion has decreased thanks to a course of pills purchased by the ‘girl’, moods have fluctuated dependant on all the above.
Well as the snores are continuing to emanate from the bed and thus my ‘consultant’ has left me to it, I cannot think of anything else you blokes might find interesting – so I will leave it at that, with a Good –day from me and a Good-night from him.

LEGENDARY LITCHFIELD

Looking down on the canopy at Florence Falls

Fun in the rapids at Florence Falls

Reflections in the swamp!

Cascading waters at Florence Falls

Twin Lace Curtains at Florence Falls

Hi there guys and gals, this time you find us in Berry Springs. We left Katherine and travelled at first to Batchelor. From Batchelor we drove into Litchfield National Park and looked at the beautiful waterfalls. Whilst in Batchelor we stayed at the Big 4 Caravan Park. We only stayed 3 days in Batchelor and that was really enough time in which to see the main features of Litchfield. After leaving Batchelor we made a short journey across to Berry Springs. The idea being that whatever we hadn’t seen of Litchfield from the Batchelor end, we could see from the Berry Springs end. Not a bad way to go as it turns out.
Batchelor itself was a nice little spot – quiet and shady. We were told that trouble sometimes wanders into town, but leaves pretty quickly. Certainly we didn’t see or hear anything adverse while we were there. The caravan park (more details at the conclusion of this blog) was also very quiet – it boasts one of the coldest swimming pools I have ever sploshed into – but I have to say, it was a welcome refresher, especially after the usual unhitching and unpacking!
Litchfield certainly lived up to all expectations. The waterfalls are absolutely spectacular and the surrounding country exceptionally beautiful. Lush tropical bush surrounds all the waterfalls and picturesque yet rugged land abuts each of the main features. I still cannot get used to the sight of palms, cycads and gums all growing in happy profusion together – for a ‘southerner’ it is quite a spectacle. We seem to have left behind the brilliant colours of the red centre and swapped them for some of the ‘greenest greens I’ve ever seen’ to quote an old song. The Territory applies a burning off policy which sees at this time of the year, manifold little fires which keep the undergrowth at bay. Due to the still available moisture in the soil, the grass grows back almost immediately and it is the brightest hue of green imaginable. The cycads too, in some parts are vivid in their colouration. We have tried to capture the colours on camera, but really so far, have not done them justice. Instead of the red, red rocks of the interior, the rock formations here seem to be more grey, and the effect of the rocky outcrops fringed with bright green in reminiscent of some ancient ruins being re-claimed by nature. The whole of Litchfield National Park appears to consist of a very large range of often rugged hills, some quite round and conical and others baring grey fangs to the sky. The area is quite heavily forested by an astounding range of trees and undergrowth.
Berry Springs is also a pretty area, although we really had pretty much exhausted the sight-seeing while we were at Batchelor. From Berry Springs we drove out to re-acquaint ourselves with the ocean – except this time it is the Arafura Sea. We drove to a little place called Mandorah Bay – this is where a ferry from Darwin calls to take folk to work and over to the ‘big smoke’ for shopping etc. The ferry service appears to be a good one and the ferry leaves pretty much every half hour at peak times and hourly the remainder of the time. Peak times seem to be early morning, late afternoon and lunch time. It appears it is a popular trip from Darwin over to the pub there for lunch. The pub was something else! The signage to get into the place was abysmal and we had all sorts of trouble finding the ferry wharf and the pub (despite being warned about this). We drove aimlessly around Mandorah for a while before finding a local who give us some good directions. When we arrived finally at our destination (the pub of course), we wandered around to the counter to order a couple of drinks and a counter lunch. We were confronted by a sign which declared the hotel to be “The Hotel With No Hot Chips” – this was followed by a sign which said “Under No Circumstances Will We Serve Hot Chips” – this was underscored by another declaration “Australia Does Not Need Any More Hot Chips!!” – well, we had the message by then, but TBBITW was very tempted nevertheless to go up and order chips! It seems from chatting to other folk, many do ask for chips, just to test the mettle of the staff so to speak, and we are told that the staff are none too friendly about the subject. Despite all the dire warnings, we did manage to order a quite acceptable couple of ‘barra burgers’ which we enjoyed with a leisurely drink while looking over the bay to my first view of Darwin. It was interesting to see the jetty where the ferry docks – it had at least 3 different levels to cater for the huge tides in this part of the world. The pub apparently does a good trade on weekends when a younger crew travel over in the ferry for a good time and then head back home again via the water. The last ferry, from memory leaves at around 12.30 on a Saturday night. Just in time to get back for the nightclubs I guess.
Whilst at Berry Springs we visited the Territory Wild Life Park. We were a little daunted to find that entry into the park was $25 each, but at the end of the day, agreed that the fee was reasonable and money well spent. The park only has native creatures and is very well done indeed. If you are so inclined you can walk the considerable area of the park, but most people utilise the very good ‘train’ service within the park. The train is geared to get you to each of the main events at just the right time. Main events include a ‘raptor display and talk’ and a ‘sand-bank’ experience. The sand-bank experience was excellent, involving the feeding of barramundi, archer fish (that was a good laugh) and whip-rays. I had never heard of whip-rays before and certainly was not aware that we have fresh water rays in Australia. Other features include a very good aquarium and a wonderful monsoon forest walk which includes a walk-thru aviary. The park boasts quite a passable cafeteria and a whole day could be spent there very easily. We were probably there for around 5 hours, and I wouldn’t recommend planning to be there less than 4 hours in order to see the main features. The only down side to the Wild Life Park was that “we” forgot the camera so no pics I’m sorry. Probably just as well, as I notice going back over our photos, the ones of critters in captivity just don’t seem to cut it anyway.
Poor old Jezabelle (the van) suffered an injury while we were at the Wild Life Park. When we returned to the van, we discovered one of our skylights leaning up against the van with very large chunks bitten out of it. As was (note was) our habit, we had gone out leaving tall the hatches wide open to air the van – NOT a good idea. It was not at all a windy day, but it seems that a random puff of wind grabbed the hatch and hurled it to the ground where it cart-wheeled across the road much to the amazement of those around us. This is when TBBITW comes into his own, he is such a clever bloke! He managed to sufficiently repair the hatch for us to get into Darwin. We most likely could go further if we had to, but we are hoping that we can get the replacement part sent to us in Darwin and effect proper repairs there. My washing machine has also stopped working and the bloke reckons that the lid is the problem. We need to replace that as well when we are in town. I must say I really miss my machine and never feel that the clothes are really clean when I use the park machines.
From a personal perspective, it is interesting to note how we are travelling at this time. When we were looking at the sensational water-falls at Litchfield, I felt there was something lacking in our response to all the majesty of the place – it really should have been another WOW moment, and yet we both seemed a little flat. We have concluded that we are just about all WOWED out and need to veg for a little while. When you constantly encounter stunningly beautiful sites, you become a little desensitised. I know for those of you currently stuck in a work- a -day world, that must sound awfully spoilt, but it really is true – in fact, I was beginning to feel that we were under an obligation to see everything and so it was beginning to feel a little like getting up and going to work!
We have quite a few little tasks to take care of in Darwin when we arrive there at the end of this week, and of course a little retail therapy is also in order, including a much needed visit to the hairdressers. I just wish I could include in our itinerary, a visit to a nice Doctor who would suck out all my accumulated fat as well – perhaps then I would feel a little more feminine again. Once we have accomplished all our tasks we will be off to Kakadu and Jabiru to have a look see there and then we plan to find somewhere to just sit for around 4 weeks – just to regain our equilibrium and to live a pseudo normal life for a little while. Currently we have been in Berry Springs for 6 days and it feels like 6 minutes.
We have once again met some lovely folk here and are today ‘puppy-sitting’ a couple of toy poodles while their humans go into town to do some chores. They are a couple of little darlings and have taken up residence amongst our manifold cushions and pillows (fresh pillow-slips today too!) at the end of the bed where they can watch for the return of their much loved mum and dad. It’s lovely to have the company of a couple of four footed little ladies for a couple of hours.
Well, time for me to wrap this one up, I will finish with the usual caravan park write up. I will also be putting up a special blog just for the blokes, with all the little things in it that you fellas talk about around the caravan parks, more technical than we girls generally want to know about. Love to all for now, and looking forward to talking to you again soon. Laugh, love and be happy – Steph.

Caravan Parks:
· Batchelor – we stayed at the Big 4 Caravillage in Batchellor. Big spacious park with plenty of good sized easy to access sites. When you check in they send you around to the far side of the camp to await further instructions. Be wary of the bend on the far corner of the camp – it is raised above the ground and there is a nasty drop off on the passenger side of the van – a trap for the unwary! Once you are in the appointed position someone will come and help you to choose a bay. Most are well shaded with palms and many have concrete slabs – the remainder are grassed. Amenities block is very good, although they do not have liquid soap. The pool is possibly the coldest in the region, but clean and well maintained. Not dog friendly.
· Berry Springs – we stayed at the Tumbling Waters Caravan Park – this park is picturesque with beautiful big rambling old gardens and a very tropical feel. The bays are a little tight to access and the amenities are less than wonderful. The pool is salt and was full of children when we were here (school hols) and as a result was a little too milky for my liking. Despite this, the park is lovely and we would be happy to come back again. They show a movie on Sat and Wed evenings and there are didgeridoo lessons on Sat night. The park boasts several fresh water crocs and they feed these on Sat night. This park is dog friendly.