Mataranka Springs

So doing it tough here.  Morning swim at Bitter Springs the other side of Mataranka township, very hard to take in the crystal clear water, just below bath temperature, and with enough buoyancy to just float.  As if that wasn't good enough, had fresh scones & coffee in a delightful cafe in the main street of Mataranka for elevensies, then back to the Homestead for another swim.  Oh dear life is so tough :-)

There is a replica here at Mataranka Homestead of the Elsey Station homestead of Jeannie Gunn , the author of "We of the Never Never" - her story of being a young bride faced with the solitude and harshness of Northern Territory station life. I am in awe of what some of these women endured back in the day, as we swan about in our flash caravans with en suites & washing machines, towed by our air-conditioned 4x4's.  Now they really did do it tough, and we can only imagine the hardships they endured, AND they didn't wear shorts & T-shirts but voluminous dresses and tight corsets too. God love 'em!!

The park here is really worth a visit, not only for the delectable spring water, but settled here under the palms and gums we are visited regularly by kangaroos, who eat out of your hand, a magnificent sulphur crested cockatoo pecking at the sprinkler for a drink of water, grey birds I haven't identified yet, but are terribly noisy & greedy, and to top it off a magnificent peacock, who also eats out of our hands, (seeming to have a particular liking for almonds & sultanas) and who (like the one mentioned in Judy Hannah's post), spends the rest of his time staring at his splendiferous image in the shiny polished aluminium of our bull-bar. What a poser.  I am told there are several peahens around, and another male, but to date we haven't spotted them.  Our bloke is supreme, & makes a hell of a noise to boot !!

Last night, after dinner in our van,  we thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment provided at the Bar & Bistro; a Mum, Dad & two sons, travelling musicians from Willunga, SA.  We didn't recognise them at all, but they were fantastic & the boys, drummer & lead guitar, were exceptionally talented - lovely family spirit between them too.  There are some lovely people on the road !!

Because we went off to the Bitter Springs today without the van, we did manage to stop and take some photos of the dressed termite mounds so will post a couple of those later.  

It's been lovely to have a day just chilling today.  The temps are in the low 30's but we've had a nice breeze here under the trees and have been most comfortable.  Ready for more adventures if not tomorrow, then the next day.

Cheers !!