P.S. Lost Image...of Jim Jim Falls

This is a addendum to today's blog. This would have to be my favourite image of my flight. I lost it while downloading.... The trees around the waterfall are about 30m tall- just to give you some

perspective.

ALICE IS GETTING COOLER.......

I know the title is objective depending on where you have spent summer- the days have dropped to just under 30', and the nights are 17-20.Quite pleasant, and one can enjoy the luxury of snuggling under a duvet.

Last weekend(Easter) I went up to Darwin. I had not been up there before. I was so impressed- I did enjoy the city- great public reserves, parks, and unending beaches to walk along.The weather was oppressive tho-early 30's but the humidity was 95%.Not pleasant. It is nearly the end of the monsoon season, another few weeks and it becomes quite livable.

We spent a day travelling through to the Kakadu Natonal Park. It is somewhere I have wanted to visit since a child. I must have had a book that fascinated me.Some of the areas were inaccessible because of the wet season, which was disappointing. But I need not have been disappointed because I was lucky enough to enjoy an hour's flight over the enormous escarpments.Flying really is the only way to get any idea of the enormity of the Nat Park.

The escarpments rise over 100m from a quite flat surrounding area. There are many escarpments all at different angles to each other. A breathtaking sight.

Crossing the escarpments are many deep valleys obviously with water supplies, and lush growth. Many tribes of Aboriginals have lived in these areas in the past. This one is called Death Adder Valley!!!

Our guide on the flight was so informative- the rock escarpments are cliffs from inland seas many thousands of years gone. The rocks don't contain any fossils, from times before life. Being a keen nature photographer, I would have loved to be able to wander through some of the mini eco systems present in the fissures/valleys-open forest, shady overhangs all sustaining life.The guide told us that because of the huge areas involved and subsequent isolation of areas, scientists are still finding previously unknown flora and fauna. Amazing!!!!

This is from the top of a waterfall called Jim Jim Falls.A huge fall that falls 200m into a 20m deep pool.

Jim Jim Falls

Another large waterfall called Twin Falls.They look quite spectacular when one flies around them .These falls the pass down through a narrow gorge.

Not having any choice of light conditions, I was happy with my images- this beautiful escarpment had the whole array of colours.It is called Lightening Dreaming- a very important sacred Aboriginal site

From a distance they are still so distinct. All I can say is if you aver get into this part of the world- do a flight- it will become one of the highlights of your life.

I will continue the Darwin experience later in the week......take care all of you.......

A YEAR IN ALICE...!!!!!

I have just had a nostalgic trawl through my previous blogs- a year's worth.!!! I know I have changed, grown in experiences, and feel extremely content.I also know my family and friends miss me, and I them, but with communications so easy, and cheap, we will all survive.

Last week I was on 7am starts, so was able to enjoy early morning light. This is the view off of my patio- not bad eh?!!! This is Mount Gillen- not a mountain by NZ standards- but we won't argue. I am still house sitting for another 3 weeks.

I spent last weekend in Surfers with Laura and family.It was too short, but we had a lot of fun.This is Madison my grand daughter, on the roof of their apartment at Burleigh Heads. It is looking south towards Tweed Heads.The day after I arrived we went to Currumbin- a wildlife sanctuary nearby.We had a wonderful day.

Feeding Rainbow Lorrikeets was a highlight. Because of the recent heavy rains in Queensland, the birds natural food- flowering trees etc-is abundant so there weren't so many present to feed.

Madison enjoyed letting the birds drink.

These ones decided to help themselves from a stack of containers.They are so pretty, and noisy!!

We enjoyed the kangaroo enclosure where the animals were very relaxed!!!! Don't you love the totally obliviousness(?) to the world.!

Madison enjoyed her kangaroo encounter.

I quite liked this tale of tails..................

Many different varieties of lizards wander freely throughout the sanctuary. This fellow helped us eat our lunch!!!!

This interesting fellow is a Jabiru, standing about a metre tall.Love the blues in his plumage.

We were enthralled by these fellows- they are quite entertaining if they are awake.....

We all made the most of indoor heated pool, and outdoor cooler pool. I think this epitomises the sheer joy a child can experience. I alternated the heated pool, and a warm spa.....mmmm, sooo nice.

Alice is still warm- today and yesterday were 40', but the nights are cooling. Am able to sleep without the air con on. I am off to Darwin on Thursday, it will be nice to experience life in the tropics,(towards the end of the monsoon season!)

Take care and have a safe Easter break.Those of you going to Naseby- enjoy it is a great place.