23 July
The Pub was slowly waking up when Rosie and I took our usual walk this morning. Many of our neighbours had already packed up and were back on the road again before we ambled off.
On our way again, we paused briefly at Mataranka, ‘We of the Never Never’ Country. As we came closer and closer to Katherine, I was surprised at how the journey began to affect me. My heart ached when a group of motor biked riders overtook us. The turnoff to Tindal left me feeling like I wanted to scream and as we neared the spot where my darling boy lost his life my emotions were all over the place. I must have still been numb when we came here last time. I did not feel much at all then. We did not stop, but continued on to the lovely Manbulloo Homestead just out of town, on the Katherine River. Somehow our booking was mixed up, so we had to camp the first night in front of ‘The Ringer’s’ accommodation.
Stuart Highway 
Mataranka 
My heart aches 
Temporary camp Manbulloo 
It was very hot as the afternoon sun moved over us, so we took Rosie to the dog bath for her first wash this trip. As usual she was a reluctant participant, however I am sure she felt much better afterwards, with all that brown, grey and red dust washed away. Although she managed to plonk herself down in a dusty spot straight afterwards, she certainly looks much brighter.
Clean, hot, nearly dirty again dog 
It was SO hot as the sun passed over us and down to the West. We decided just to take it easy, following the shade until the evening cooled down. There were a few little mosquitoes around so we retreated into the air conditioned comfort of our home on wheels.
ON THE ROAD 