The Great Southern Expedition :: Day 3
Monday, 21 November
The Edith River – the loveliest spot we hit in the Territory, and as this is being written between Camooweal and Mount Isa, that’s a safe statement. After a night of rain I awoke under the bridge, to the sound of rushing water and just in time to see the sun coming up – had a bath in natural running pool under the bridge and had just finished when Kath appeared laden up with camera and washing. She dived in while I went off to get my camera. Helen still sleeping peacefully by the side of Alfred. Kath still sitting happily in her birthday suit in the river doing her washing, so I took a photograph of her (and the river) and hoped she wouldn’t be recognised by the Kodak processing boys.
We went back and got breakfast and Helen got up eventually. Very hot already so we packed up and drove Alfred down to the bridge where Helen was having her bath and wash day. It was so lovely here that Kath and I stripped off and sat in the river again to cool off and Helen had a turn at taking nude photographs.
We hated leaving this spot, and eventually got away at 10:30am and made Katherine by 11:45 am. Drove to one garage – no mechanic – drove to back to the other one, and Helen was sent across the road to the plumber, a Mr Singh, who was just going to lunch – back at 1 o’clock – so we staggered to the pub for a beer – or two or three.
Kath and I did the shopping while Helen drove off with Mr Singh to a pit 3 miles away and got the tank fixed – then we all downed about three more drinks, said goodbye to Mrs Secrett and went on our way. Stopped at Mataranka to photograph a really beautiful cascara tree that put all the trees in Darwin to shame, and – just as an afterthought – called into the pub for a beer or two.
Then on to Warlock Ponds, determined to camp early this time (on night driving). Nothing but muddy water in the ponds, but we found a very pretty camping place, and stopped for the night at 7:30 – cooked our meal and then bed – Three days to Katherine! Ah well, who wants to leave the Territory anyway.
Monday, 21 November 1955
Up at 7am – beautiful morning. Crashed around in the undergrowth and set fire. Showed no signs of burning at that stage in spite of kero. Decided I must have that bath I promised myself last night. Left Helen sleeping peacefully and trotted off – towel, toilet requisites, camera and all. The beauty of the early morning green just asked to be photographed, and who am I to argue with the Aussie bush.
Found Marye packing up her roll – or is it rolling up her pack? Anyway she directed me to the ‘bath’. Ah! perfect bliss (as Helen would say). Just to sit in the running water and do the every day drudgery of washing becomes something out of this world on occasions such as this – troppo did you say? Came back to Alfred who is still leaking shamelessly and had breakfast. Felt so hot and sticky after packing up Alfred we decided another dip in the Edith was a definite ‘must’. Both Marye and I then decided we could quite easily enjoy being nudists – except for meal times. Golly it was wonderful. However, as we all know, and as we are repeatedly experiencing, all the nicest things must come to an end and, of course, we had to leave the Edith River and press on to Katherine.
Our first call here of course were the garages, in search of someone to mend Alfred’s leak – no luck. Finally we contacted the local plumber who rather begrudgingly said he would solder it but had grave doubts about its success. As we had to wait until he had eaten, decided o eat ourselves. Sat up to sandwiches (Dagwood style) in the main street. Mr Singh returned and took Helen to a ‘Pit’ somewhere out of town while Marye and I did our few shopping errands and posted our films. Said goodbye to Poppy Secrett and left Katherine at 4.15pm. Next stop Mataranka – just before sunset – glorious Cascara tree which we just had to add to our list of ‘snaps’. After a cold beer pressed on to Warlock Ponds where we made camp (close to Elsey Cemetery). Our first early night – all fed, washed in a mugful of water (no natural water available) and so to bed at 9.45pm.