Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog - Part VII - Dog Blog

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog - Dog Blog

July 9 - July 23

Day 129 to Day 143

 

 

So the NT, Northern Territory in Australia, what a dry place. Millions of gum trees to pee on, millions of deathly smells of road kill and one thirsty furry!

After driving over the border from Queensland, we drove through lots of the same surroundings and turned left to head towards a free camp site just nor of Tennant Creek called The Pebbles. I am surprised we can stay here as its a sacred woman's aboriginal site but it was such a clean camp. Usual stinky humans smells loitered the bushes, but behind where we camped for two nights was indeed The Pebbles, do you think they are just teasing me now?! We all watch another sunset, well, I plank of course. Yeah, pinks and oranges crushing the sky as another day dawns over us, yawns, I prefer to plank.

 

 

Cooler overnight but hot the next day. We found out it was a public holiday and the show was on, so after debate about what to do with me, it worked out dogs were allowed and in I went. If I looked around me past the calves, it was full of people, rubbish and wheels. We stayed for a little while, checking out the dog show - how dare Ma go over and talk to some of the owners of other furrys, I gave her good sniff on her return to see what kind of furrys they were, Bulldogs! Noisy things.
After the show it was still daylight so the folks thought they'd cruise past town. Now, I'm not sure if I've explained my car set up, but it's tops. The folks have put a comfy foam piece on top of plastic containers so I'm high up and can see outside of the back seat. Yes, I'm harnessed in and cannot fall out although I must look a sight from the outside, humans and furrys must think I have the longest legs for a dog, woof! I digress...

The town looks very dirty and just about every shop is covered with a grill or roller door, there must be serious theft in town as every brewery seems to have a policehuman outside and I noticed that humans seem to wait outside for the stinky malty smelling places to open. It's like a convention must be going on inside or something really good, as we see them lining up at midday!

After our scoot through town, we checked out Lake Mary Ann and then headed back to camp. It was coming on sunset when a van pulled up and a human asked if they were okay to park opposite us, Pa said no probs. We ended up talking to the couple and their three little humans and made firm friends on the spot. They lived in same city as we'd come from and they were having about three months off to explore Australia. The more they talked they realised they were travelling to same places over the next few weeks and decided to travel together. I was happy about that. I got extra cuddles and the little humans took me for walks in the morning.

Above us the stars twinkled and they all chatted, I again planked. I think the heat does it to me, I'm only a little furry after all.

 

The next day we all got up early and left The Pebbles, we drove through Three Ways, John Flynn Memorial ( John Flynn started the Royal Flying Doctors in outback NT -EN) and Elliot. I'm not sure if it's the big birds flying above us calling out, but I got the creeps and had to sit on ma's lap again. I can't explain in dog terms what it feels like but it makes me put my ears back, tail down and I make sure and open my eyes big time. The humans eat lunch by the Stuart Tree near Daly Waters and continue on to Mataranka Thermal Springs. I have to be left in the car but only for short time it felt. I heard there are two big pools here, full of people and the little humans upset a few when they bombed in, woof woof! 

 They find a free camp at Kings Rest Area and under another starry night we all sit until a musical sound comes down the highway. The folks think it sounds like ice cream van but surely not I hear ma say. Well, to everyone's pleasure it was and the van pulled up right near us, ice creams all round - but not for me:(

Ma wakes up and carries on about how cute these Apostle parrots are, they sound like a pack of squeaky toys to me and I ponder about that but alas, can't reach them. So close yet so far away. They pack up and drive to Katherine which is a big town, still has police on certain buildings and lots of humans sitting in the parks. I feel like joining them its that hot! They stock up on food and have lunch here. After lunch we head north where along the way we see controlled fires which makes the surroundings very dry looking. Through Pine Creek we stop at briefly to buy drinks as no liquor shop in Katherine was open at 2pm, and head east to a free camp spot called Harriet Creek, great free camp I reckon. Not too big, with picnic tables, although the folks avoid the table areas as 'backpackers' often camp near here and are loud - woof, the folks sound old don't they?! I get to walk with the little humans, Noah, Josh and Raphael and they love to pat me, walk me and chat to me. All the humans play card games and I watch and make sure no one is cheating. 

Throughout the night these wild furrys come into camp howling and barking (dingos -EN) and we all wake up. The folks think it's marvellous but I shudder, knowing what they are capable of as I can hear what they want, an after midnight snack. I don't even make a sound when I hear the pack of them. I am a good doggie.

 

 

The next day I am left in the van for a couple of hours whilst the humans head into Kakadu National Park and visit Gunlom Falls. They rub in it and say its spectacular place. I hear they walk almost one kilometre up the range to infinity plunge pools overlooking the Savannah. I would have loved it and been one tired Muppet dog. I happily planked away whilst they played. As it seems they miss out on a few attractions, I am happy to plank away in the tin can. This day they are back for lunch and partake in amusing me and washing stuff.

The next day I smell pancakes, even I got a nibble from the trusty little humans. Our new family leave us as they can camp in the national park as furrys cannot. That's okay, we will only be away from them for a couple of nights. I am left again for a few hours whilst the folks head into Maguk Gorge. I hear it was a big walk along rocks to the gorge where they said a freshwater crocodile lives but they never saw it thankfully. The walk sounds too much for me so although I over-greet them when they get back it would have hurt my paws to do this trek.

 

 

 

I do miss them though when they are gone. I am taken for nice big walk and they meet another couple their age and ma takes her guitar over to them and they play together. Ma is learning and isn't the best, almost like hearing nails scratch along a blackboard but we must encourage her of course. The stars tonight are amazing and the humans point out space stations moving around the night sky. Freaky!!

After a serious planking night, no wild furrys, I awake to hear loud chewing and when I go outside for my morning walk I see two water buffalo eating behind the tin cans. They are huge and one has horns over a metre long, I'm staying away from these bovine creatures.

 

 

 

Today we head to a paid camp at Mary River Roadhouse which is a clean and friendly place and one which is a bit closer to Kakadu, I'm left in arctic conditions in the tin can (air conditioning, whinge much?! -EN) whilst the folks head off, not funny now, to Jabiru, Ubirr and Bukbukluk look out. I hear a baby wild furry ran out on the road and about rock art at Ubirr of the indigenous humans that lived in the area. They are gone a big longer today but thankfully the tin can has shade and I play with my toys and look out the window whilst putting together my blog. When they arrive all annoyance succumbs me and bounce up and down. I am of course taken for long walk and they play ball for ages, playing ball is my favourite thing, did I mention that previously?

It's now day 136, July 16th the folks and I cruise this morning, I watch the Galah birds whilst Pa has a swim. The folks leave me late in the day, they want to see sunset at Ubirr so I let them. As they are gone I myself watch the sun slowly set until it's an array of pink and purples and when the sun does sink, it's burnt orange, then the bats come out to play. Ma loves these stinky creatures. The folks arrive home late.

After a sleep in the folks quickly check out a mysterious unnamed billabong near where we are staying and then they drive back to Harriet River free camp and meet up with our new friends and they all share stories whilst I share farts, not sure what I ate today but not agreeing with me.

Day 138 and the drive into Umbrawarra Gorge. Not much water I hear, just a long walk at present. After that the humans need a decent feed and have lunch in Pine Creek at The Lazy Lizard. I'm left tied to the gate and all is okay until the terminator of furrys comes over and sniffs me. I arch up, and Pa and Aunty Carlos rescues me. I think it thought I was lunch. I'm placed back in the car whilst the humans handle a local humans snakes, I sniff this reptilian creature on them, yucky smells, I sneeze a lot from this. The folks again leave the human family for one night and we head to a free camp at Bridge Creek where an ANNOYING resident rooster literally has ownership of this place. He tells me he ran away from his humans last Christmas as they were going to eat him and he found a patch of space where humans come and go each day. The humans talk to him here, although he's not sure what they are blabbing about and he cock-a-doodle-dos every morning. I tried to subtly tell him not to squawk tomorrow but he tells me to piss off. It's his patch and he'll do what he wants. Let's just say he does squawk the next day but seems to be not too agonising. What a turd this feathered friend is.

 

 

 

Today we left the van at this site and we all drove the bumpy, long drive to Butterfly Gorge. I hear it's one of the best, a treasure that isn't heard about much. They walked through one billabong with their goods on they're heads, then another short walk to then swim the gorge, up the cliff and over to a series of rock pools behind. I definitely couldn't have done this trek so feel happy I stayed and guarded the car.

 

 

After they came back and had lunch we all headed to Bridge Creek for another night free camping and rooster annoyance. I woke up early in the morning very restless, something was out there and when the bang under the tin can happened, it woke up Ma and Pa. No one could work out what on earth it was so after some peering through the windows it was back to sleep we went.

The day after we drove to Adelaide River and had lunch at the pub there. Ma and Pa met the stuffed famous water buffalo that was in some famous movie (Crocodile Dundee -EN), and we visited the War Memorial there which is one of the biggest in Australia. Very moving. The folks drove on further north through Litchfield National Park to the western border of the park, Litchfield Safari Camp where I was allowed. This park was choose your own unpowered site and the folks chose a shady spot which makes me think I'll be seeing more of this tin can in the up and coming days but it ended up being later this afternoon as the folks headed to Cascade Falls for a walk. I whine as they leave as I don't want them to be too long. They must have heard me as they were back in about an hour. Tonight I hear curlews back, Ma's new favourite bird and watch the bats fly over us whilst we watch the night Sky and admire the stars. I wonder if there are dogs up there?

This morning I meet a juvenile crocodile called Colin, he hates being in his cage so I whine to try let the humans know. Ma picks up on it so hopefully she lets the owners know the croc isn't happy in its environment, taken out of the water from its family to live in a trailer.
The folks tell me I'm not allowed in Litchfield National Park so I remain in the tin can for a few hours each day as they do day trips and check out The Lost City, Tabletop Swamp, Tolmer Look out, Wangi Falls, Magnetic Termite Mounds and Florence Falls. I hear Wangi is the best although loads of people and they found this secret hole in the side of the mountain to bomb in just to themselves. Hmm, bomb in, not my favourite thing! One afternoon we went for a huge walk around camp as the folks heard there may be crocs, I heard a few splashes into the water but didn't see one thankfully. I think the folks were disappointed.

The next morning we left and Pa drove the back way out of Litchfield and a slight detour to Dundee Beach. Wowsers, a huge white sanded beach with ample of room for me to stretch my leggies, and boy did I. I was very careful not to run into the water in case a croc saw me but it was so hot. The folks ended up having lunch here and then we were off to Darwin, the biggest city we've seen since Townsville......more to come!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog - Part VI - Dogblog

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog

June 29 to July 9

Day -119 to 129

Well, after the fright of thinking I'd been left at the police station and face planting on the path in Forsayth, we are off again! Berta -  the BT50, reaches 46,000kms, but for this trip we've driven over 15,000kms! I can't even fathom my paws waking that, I think they be totes worn out. 

We leave Forsayth very early, for us, and headd north to Normanton through a lot of ruff road. Ma sees a turtle crossing the road, her favourite animal, so the car is stopped and Ma helps it cross the other side of the road with ease.

Lots of bovine around and through Georgetown, Croydon we cruise and we stop at Normanton........

......but no free free camping here so the folks decide to keep driving north to Karumba, which is in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Ended up paying for a caravan spot, last spot available, but worth it for the amazing beach sunset. We seemed to have got a great spot as all other tin can spots look a bit squished. I think they'd hear me chasing bunny rabbits in my sleep, they are that close. We all feel lucky and set up camp for just one night. Karumba Point Tourist Park is a fairly big park that is well organised, friendly and clean and with many other dogs and friendly people, we all decide its a great park. I of course plank and observe how quick they set up these days, my favourite thing because I get more time for walks and cuddles. After watching yet another sunset we head back to the tin can for din dins.

Lots of kangaroos around and the biggest insects. Ma talks to Aunty Suse on the phone and it's funny watching Ma move around to various spots due to the insects jumping on her head or she'd put her hand on a fence stump and a huge insect be sitting there, woof! I continue laughing at Ma until I whine at a bandicoot or something little and furry. It smells me and dashes off. Stinky thing. After a cruisy night planking and chasing furry animals they pack up and head through Normanton but this time stop for a beverage at The Purple Pub before getting some grocery shopping done, very expensive I hear the folks say but has to be done. I hope they didn't skip on my food!

The folks eat lunch in the park whilst I quietly observe the kites flying above me. These birds are the seagulls of the North! After we head off I can't help but notice how many tin cans are on the road, oodles of them. We head south west, along the Burke Developmental Road and the Wills Developmental Road, to Burke and Wills Roadhouse for fuel. Between you and me I'm not so sure what the fuss is about with these two explorers. They weren't good trackers, didn't have a dog to show them direction and then they hid their food under a tree before they carked it along with all their explorers mates. I must investigate their history more and understand why they are such "legends". 

After a six hour, lllooonnnngggg, drive which we only covered 320kms due to rough roads, we camp at a free camp at Gregory Downs. We camp up in the allocated area and go for a walkie down to the riverbed where loads of tin cans are housed, even though they aren't supposed to apparently. It's nice and cool down there, humans have set up camp all along the river. We walk back to our campsite which hasn't the amount of vans like down by the creek, it's quiet here and I spot a few furrys around which is always a good sign. Another night goes by and I wake up the next day to the sound of small birds playing outside the tin can, Ma thinks I want a walk but I need to find where their poo is to roll in it and disguise myself and maybe eat one, I planned to do this, but of course Ma thought differently and the birds were long gone once I'd escaped the tin can. We saw the end of sunrise and before I planked whilst they set down, we were off again, heading west. The drive had extremely dusty roads with these loud frightening metal sounds would occur every so often (cattle grids -EN), and I peaked on this journey. Too much for a lil Muppet dog. Soon, my plan worked and I was sitting on Ma's lap getting extra cuddles. The rough roads was worth it as we settled into Adeles Grove for three nights, in the dog area which was of course the best area. I had so much fun here, big court style campsite where I could chase balls and bare my teeth to frighten any of the other dogs off, tough Muppet sometimes. Once we'd set up, the folks put me in my bicycle basket and we choofed off, when we got to the destination my toe got caught in some piece of metal from the basket and I howled. It felt like time stood still as EVERYONE looked at us and lots of "awwww's" were heard as the humans realised what had happened. Pa rescued me and all was well, laughed ensued and time ticked on again.

 

We swam in the grove although I was a bit scared as I heard crocodiles might be in here and if my folks were eaten, who'd look after me?! I wasn't enjoying it so I was taken back to the tin can by Pa and he left me there to return to swimming. I was happy with this, I dreamt of chasing crocodiles away and saving my folks lives.
 

When they returned, I was told I was seeing my Aunties again! Yay, Aunty Phil, Hauley, Rhonda and Jude. Licks and jumps all round. They were so excited to see me and had come a long way just to visit me. We all caught up over fish and chips, well I had a few wee bits snuck my way of course, it's amazing what these brown eyes can do, I must use them more to my advantage! Woof! 

The next morning, as the hopping furrys went past us, the folks had to leave me in the tin can as they drove to Lawn Hill, some people we've met say it's the best place in Australia. I'll never know as furrys aren't allowed there. The folks said I would have loved it and would have been no problem to the environment, they kayaked up two gorges and did heaps of swimming. Hot day today but comfortable for me in the tin can and when they came back I greeted them by my usual bouncing around and i did run around outside because it's one of my favourite things. The park here where we are staying is dry but comfortable. No electricity up here or down in the grove section. The Grove section is a lot cooler, greener and heaps more people. Apparently it's the popular part of the park but seemed very noisy when we were there, school holidays I heard which I think means the little humans aren't spending their day times in a room learning about stuff, they come to places like this and experience the real world.

 

The next day the folks and Aunties had to leave me again for a few hours as they went back and did some of the walks around Lawn Hill. Whilst they were gone i chatted to the dogs around camp as they'd been left alone too, it was fab to catch up with the gossip on the dog world, I can't obviously write a lot that I hear as its only for us dogs of Alveridgea.  After a third night we left Adeles Grove and headed south and after travelling back on that same rough road we got to Gregory Downs and the folks noticed they had a cut in the tyre. After some huffing and puffing, whilst I found a dead hoppy to sniff, it was fixed and to Cloncurry where we stayed our last night with the Aunties. It felt sad leaving them as I felt like they'd become part of the family. I made sure and gave them few extra licks the next morning so they wouldn't forget me, pfftt...as if!

So we become solo again and headed to Mt Isa for two nights, staying at a free camp at a truckie stop which was just north of the town. When you see the big truckie stop, just drive off to the dirt track and park there. We had two nights here, oh and the airport is next door.  I don't think any of us slept well that night with the road trains zooming past, and other weird night time noises. My Isa is a big town and Pa got some work done for the car fridge and whilst he was waiting he went to the cinema to see Terminator, Ma and I chillaxed in this weird camp spot. We all went to the look-out for sunset which was nice although being a mining town we watched it go down on the mountain just right of the mine structures! I had my usual food for dinner, ooh yeah dinner, my favourite thing, and Ma made pizzas. I think we all slept a tad better tonight and there was another camper here as well so we always feel a little more comfortable knowing someone is nearby, strange how that is.
 

The next morning Ma checked out the underground hospital in the city and we visited yet another cemetery before leaving town and visiting Lake Moondarra but no furrys allowed so just a drive through. What do humans have against our kind. Some mutt or human owner must have ruined it for the rest of us.

 

Off we continued to drive through sporadically spread gum trees and heaps of termite mounds, where many have clothes on them! They give me a fright as I think someone is in the bushes! We arrive at Camooweal and free camp along the river bed, not much water near the bridge unfortunately as I could feel a swim coming on, but what a huge place. A few humans in their tin cans but with so much room, we don't have to camp too near others. Although it seems the humans in tin camper vans seem to like camping right up the tin cans butts. I am left to my thoughts and devices as the folks head to the pub to watch some game called State of Origin. a few hours later when it was dark, I hear them try to find the tin can once the game was over and I did think I could bark to let them know where I was, but its too funny listening to them argue about not bringing a torch and having to download torch on their phones, my eyes water up with tears of laughter just writing about it. We all sleep well and the next day my eyes glaze over almost as much as Ma's when we hear about the huge win again and again but Pa was on such a high due to QLD winning so we endured it of course, we had to put a flag (found in pub - EN) up on the tin can as well. This high went for a few weeks and as I type Pa is talking to Aunty Scott about it, such passion.

 

As we pack up the next day, eyes a bit bleary, kites circle above me and I'm glad I'm tied to this lead otherwise I'd be bird food! So only a few minutes drive and we enter The Northern Territory, woohoo, (after about 97 days in Queensland and remaining on the Camps 8 book, page 17/18 for yonks, I can safely say we made it  - EN). Through flat landscape and seeing huge road trains that are 53.5 metres long - are you thinking what I'm thinking? -  A load of tyres to pee on, I know!! Pa enjoys the drive as its 130km/hour although with the tin can he doesn't drive that fast.......more on NT to follow....

 

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog - Part V

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog

June 1st to June 29

The journey continues now through Queensland...

It's been an amazing three months. Feels like three years for a furry. If I think about my life before I met my folks, that sucks..... I know I'm now a very lucky furry to have an adventure about Australia at my youthful age. 

After the big trip to Cape York, we remain in Mareeba for about one week. The folks had planned to leave earlier but things crop up so we stay longer. Aunty Karen and Aunty Irwin have two dogs who would perhaps eat the likes of me, so I have my own yard on one side of the fenced area, with our tin can, and they all live over the other side. I feel safe and I remain in the yard even thought I could sneak through the front fence, but shoosh, don't tell my folks that. Also staying in this yard are friends of my Aunties, Gay and Paul and their two dogs, Molly and Tara. They are okay but I'm happy with my humans and we all get along without too much butt sniffing.

After Cape York I am pooped moop, I prefer to plank, my favourite thing, and play ball, my favourite thing and get cuddles, my favourite thing. The folks see a few movies here as apparently the RSL club has movies and movies are Pa's favourite thing. We check out the town, it's big, lots of people and shops around. Mareeba is known for coffee and wine so the smell of the two aromas in the air, is weird, not altogether awful, just sweet and bitter I guess! Granite Gorge is something else, I come face to face with a wallaby furry, smells odd, and looks at me as though I'm odd.....helloooo weird marsupial furry. This Boulder walk is insane to say the least. We all think it's going to be a cruisy walk but it's mainly boulders we walk over, sometimes with crevices between each boulder, very scary for a little muppet. Pa has to pick me up lots. Ma's knee isn't doing so well but we get there, past dinosaur footprints. Real footprints! How scary is that. I wouldn't be much of a meal to one of them, almost get caught in one of their teeth. Really worth doing though if you get the chance.

 

 

 

 

Other sites seen around Mareeba are the wetlands and the Bat Hospital, where I feel I'm almost replaced, not my favourite thing. Ma loved bats and I hear all about it later on.
 

Ma and Pa were going to leave after four nights but they find out friends are visiting not far away so we head into Kuranda. I know I've been here before as similar smells. Aunty Squeeze and Aunty Neil met us for lunch and wander around. I feel like an ant as I'm surrounded by four giant humans. It's nice here, rather touristy but really worth it. I can sense Ma could buy a bit of stuff here if she had more room in the tin can.
 

That night is really cold, even I have a blankie around me. There have been few cold nights here which the folks seem to enjoy. I get extra cuddles here, I think they are sucking my warmth, and allow me to jump on the bed in the morning, my favourite thing. The curlew birds shriek throughout the night, they are Ma's favourite thing, but to me it's a weird sound.
 

After one week with our new family, we pack the tin can up and all six humans and I head south to a lake just near Atherton. Lake Tinaroo.

I get into the kayak with Pa, it's so windy here and cold for Pa but not me with my fur coat on. After a play in the water and lunch, we say goodbye to new friends and travel east through, Yurrumburra, Malanda, check out a curtain fig tree.......

and then a waterfall circuit - Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Elinjaa falls. We keep driving along the Palmeston highway and arrive at Babinda late. My folks need my eye site as the free campsite is packed and it's dark so they camp where they can for one night and move the tin can the next day to a nicer spot and here we camp for two nights.

We can't do much as it rains a lot, not my favourite thing as I can't be walked much or head to the river that I remember from last time. The folks love it as they haven't seen rain like this for months and they still get to wear shorts and thongs. Ma gets her hair cut and shops at the op shop and Pa chillaxed and then after three nights back at Babinda, we're off again, through Cardwell, where we check out Hinchinbrook lookout and finally ended up at Rollingstone free camp for the night. It's packed here, so many people...some look they've been here for weeks but people seem to come and go. The folks meet some friendly peeps nearby, everyone is packed in and we start off having no one near us then it's full house. Nice green park here with river for me to play in.

 

The next day we head to Townsville where we base ourselves for eight nights. Grandma and Aunty Kath come all the way up from Melbourne to visit me...err...us. We all meet them at the airport that night and I bark as they are wearing the same outfits. I wonder if they are really twins! We check out the city lights from the amazing Castle Hill and head to their home where they are staying for for six nights. We get them settled into their accommodation which is next door to the caravan park where we are staying and then the day after we check out the town. It sure is beaut here. It does rain a trickle but we have fun day walking up the Main Street, lots of friendly locals say hello to me, of course, and that night they head out to Italian restaurant whilst my important job of guarding the tin can starts. If only they knew that all I do is sleep. Occasionally the curlew birds shrieking gets my heart racing and I can hear bats in the palm trees above me, but I am a tough Muppet (sometimes....shhhh)

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June 13th already and we head to Charters Towers for the day, checking out the old buildings, picnic lunch at the look out, bats in the park and drink at the pub.

It's only an hour and half drive back and Ma cooks dinner for everyone at the tin can. We have our own toilet and shower at this caravan park in a handy brick room, called an ensuite. Seems all spots have this ensuite. The folks use it to store stuff so seems to come in handy.

There are many furrys in the park and some tell me they never get out much and are bored. I try to help them escape but doesn't work. I'm sure the folks would be okay with more furrys on the trip although my cuddles would be reduced so maybe it worked out for the best, and really I am a bossy girl and prefer just me and my humans.

Sunday we check out the markets, Monday the humans head to Magnetic Island for the day and I am placed in doggy daycare. I have lots of fun here although some other furrys need to back off. I think they smell my excellence and want it. I play all day until my folks pick me up and woof, I am happy they came back for me. 

The rest of the time we check out Paluma National Park where they swim at crystal creek and have to hide me as furrys aren't allowed in such places, and two of the  botanical gardens. The gardens here are amazing, so lush and green and trees we've never seen before. Grandma seems to love it! As we wander around, huge planes (F18's-EN) fly around us, my ears go mental each time. Ma loves these planes, they're her favourite thing. Due to a RAAF base here, the fly over most days. It sounds like enemy approaching to me and I feel the need to almost run for cover!

 

So it comes time for Grandma and Aunty Kath to head home, Ma takes them to the airport and Pa finds a pub to watch State of Origin. Pa meets a couple there and eventually Ma joins him. The couple end up asking the folks over for dinner the next night. They are so friendly in this town, I could live here. 

Our last day comes and I help of course throwing my ball around although this seem to go down enormously as they pack, and a little down south we drive, back to Home Hill to visit family again. We all chillax here and eats loads. I get to chase birds, roll in their poo, have the house to lounge in and get plenty of cuddles. Rosie the stalker lesbian furry has calmed down a bit thankfully and it appears she has seen more furrys since she saw me but then again, not enough as she constantly watches me when dinner isn't happening. Aunty Paul sorts out a cane fire for the folks to watch, it's amazing. We end up seeing three decent cane fires here, one point of the cane field gets lit and then "boom" takes about 10-20 minutes for all cane to be burnt in succession and ready for harvesting. The sky turns black, kites fly around in search of prey that manages to run or fly out, the crackling noises fill my ears and the black ash pours out of the sky as the flames eat the field. It's a fantastic spectacle.  The ash does settle everywhere on cars and homes but the wind afterwards pulls it off. Apart from the folks visiting a sugar cane mill and all of us heading to Townsville again for the day with Aunty Kaye and Aunty Evan we have a fairly relaxed time. No sooner than I was tolerating Rosie, we were off to Charters Towers for the night to visit new friends, with a dog the size of a house, and after a much cooler night we head north west through The Lynd, Einasleigh and into Forsayth for two nights. The road travelled today had many dead Roos, termite mounds, picturesque mountains that I really wanted to run down and rather dry countryside. The folks soon chat to a cop, Aunty Ian and then next minute I meet his dog, Savannah, for some reason. One of those long dogs that look like a sausage, not a dog.

I soon find out the next day why I've met Savannah - I'm staying with her and Aunty Kelly and Aunty Ian for the day, in a police station mind you! It's fun there so whilst the folks relax knowing I'm in good care, they head to Cobbold Gorge for the day. I give the house a good sniff. I can smell so much history here but I do sit at the window to see if the folks have arrived for me on and off.  When I eventually hear their car, I leap up and down and zoom out to them. Silly me, in the haste I slip over and plant my face to the ground, everyone laughs but it's not funny, I just want Ma and Pa, hugs all around. Woof! 

till our next adventure, woof!!

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog - Part IV

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog

May 13th to May 31st

So the folks and I joined the gang and up north we apparently went from Lakeland (got a chipped windscreen - EN) through Laura until we camped the night at Kennedy River. Imagine driving off a red dirt track, where a small circular browny dirt area awaited us. Couple of trees in the middle and a bench setting. There are also trees all around the outside of the circle. Smells of bovine greeted me so I couldn't wait to jump out of the car although being my height, I tend to tire of looking at humans ankles. Although Ma and Pa's skin isn't so see-through anymore, they've actually browned up, woof!

No one else here so we set up for the night. The folks put their new sleeping arrangements, bigger kennel (fellow campers spare tent - EN), up and down nearly every day on this trip, gives me a head start of at least one hour of planking. Pa took me down to the river and I wondered if I could dig a hole to Melbourne yet! I didn't get that far but I dug until I found water. The bovine smell here was fierce. That night, I don't sleep well, noises all around me that I've never heard before. Sounds seem noisier in the kennel. Cattle moo'ing nearby leaves me wide eyed and restless. "Not sure about this Ma and Pa" I growl and get told not too.

As we travel the next day the sky has loads of those Eagles/kites, they watch and wait for road kill and any other food source they can eat. I edge to my seat and hope their cunning eyes show disdain for my taste. It appears they do. Whilst looking out to the surrounding nature, there are these high dirt mounds aplenty, termites I hear the folks say. Squillions of them, I can hear their noisy work and I can't believe the folks can't. This is the place to live if you are a termite, although how you'd find the right termite companion when so much competition, I just don't know. Thankfully due to the dusty roads, the windows are kept up and the noise levels subdues. Also roaming around are more bovines, have to be careful driving Pa, don't want to hit one.

We have a pit stop at Musgrove Station and a white furry seems to take an interest in my butt. My growls keep it at bay although Ma fawns over the stinky furry. Funny thing here is seeing an airfield with bovine walking around the strip, woof! Further north we trek to Coen and as I'm not allowed at the (S)Exchange hotel, I am tied up outside whilst they all sit in the garden slugging brews. Lucky I am only a short distance away otherwise whining may have happened, not their favourite thing. We camp just north of here the night near a creek. Two furrys live nearby and hang around, as this is their territory, I tolerate their presence. Then it's swim time and before I know it, sleeping, my favourite thing. I wake up many times throughout the night. Bovines are walking nearby and munching on greenery. I think I kept the folks awake again!

We head up to Archer River, dead stinky boar on side of road, lots of cattle, sand red then white then green vegetation and heaps of minor river crossings. Lots of gum trees,  the humans chop wood for their camp fire and then we are into rainforest scenery, a place called Chilli Beach. We have now come to the east coast and by crickey it's windy and I'm sure I can hear the ocean roaring only metres away. I overhear that furrys aren't allowed here so we all must be careful although from what I heard, a ranger told the folks that we won't have a problem bringing her in. After a camp fire, humans chatting and me trying to stay awake it's again, time to sleep. I do not sleep....I repeat, I do not sleep. It's noisy here. Wind, ocean, dark, animals....what the hell have they brought me too. I'm sure we are going to be abducted by some animals I hear roaming around the big kennel. I somehow manage a couple of hours and I am left in the big kennel the next morning whilst they do what humans do (walk the beach, so much rubbish brought in from boats etc on the beach - EN). I am enjoying my new Aunty's more and more, they are a funny bunch. They give me loads of cuddles and I hear one day that I'm the perfect dog, yeah, I know, woof! Tonight seems an important occasion and a camp roast is cooked and before I know it, tables are set up with tablecloths, shells and flowers and we all sit around having a blast. I manage to sneak a few bits of meat from my Aunty's when the folks weren't looking. After a crap night sleep, I have a vom and this makes me feel better. I still don't sleep much.

Today we head further north and then west to an actual town, Weipa! I was beginning to wonder if we'd lost track of civilisation altogether. I notice mums fingernails are dirty, and her clothes aren't the best, I must try point out that washing is due soon. We set up camp here and yes, washing is done. I begin to think I'm tellepathetic, no, telleportal, oh you know what I mean. 

The next day I'm left with Aunty's as the folks do a Rio Tinto mine tour in the morning.  I hear it's not bad. The folks also find a supermarket and stock up a bit and I hear they can only buy frozen bread here! After a second night here, I think I may have had a better night sleep, which I gain plenty of cuddles and "good girls" for. I must try to sleep better but I'm just a little dog and the noises heighten my anxiety. We all leave Weipa and head north to Moreton Station. Cattle along the roads and are they stupid or what, don't get out of the way but we manage not to hit any. At camp tonight a slithery thing was near us, so I growled at it, then a few humans got on edge. A snake it's called and it zoomed off and we never saw that again. We finished the night around the camp fire. I lounged on Pa's lap and enjoyed the warmth of the flames. The humans chatted and watched the full night sky, full of stars.

The next day I felt so plankable. Bush turkeys were roaming around and they're noisy birds. I wonder what they'd taste like.....We drove on, past more cattle and a few kangaroos and breaked at Bramwell Station where Pa made the mistake of putting petrol in the diesel tank. I wasn't sure this was a problem, but apparently it was so the folks both panicked. Thankfully, the story I heard ended okay. Aunty Barry, Ian, Phil and Garry towed Pa out to the rubbish dump and when they couldn't find an outlet under the car to empty the tank, Aunty Barry drilled a hole in the tank and it all drained out. Then Pa was towed back to us and Aunty Barry put a screw in the hole with something called 'need-it' and we waited patiently until it was dry and okay to fill up again, with diesel this time. All was well and it only put us a few hours behind. I was taken on many short walks whilst they were gone and I could feel Ma a bit anxious but she knew Pa was in good paws. Phew......got out of that scrape.

We cruised down the old telegraph track to Palm River where I wanted to get out into the water, my favourite thing, but the humans decided to keep driving along a very bumpy track, I think I lost some brain cells, and across a deep water crossing, yep, Berta the BT50 made it through to camp at Canal Creek. There was only us staying at this camp. I reckon that insane water crossing kept a few out. Seriously, are these humans nuts!

The next day the folks and I switched cars and we drove with Aunty Phil and Aunty Hauley along an old telegraph track. As we cruised cockatoo, around gunshot and Birdy Water crossings, I came to the conclusion that these humans are mad, very mad. Up and down, swish and swash, bump after bumps. Through muddy water, rivers, sand....just when I planned to get the straight jackets out, we were at the famous Twin Falls and Elliot Falls and we all had an earned swim.

Most humans even jumped from top of the rocks into the water, yikes. Hopefully this has washed the crazies out of their brains. At camp tonight music was played and I can barely remember the awful singing that ensued as I was exhausted, yet again!

The next day we took a dip at Fruit Bat Falls where Pa's phone broke and both the folks lost their sunglasses, such is life. That may mean less photos taken of me as one less phone to be able to take them. We headed up to Punsand Bay and stayed here for three nights. Gorgeous spot, beaches for me to run, animal tracks to sniff and more sleepless nights whilst bush turkeys and bandicoots came up to the tent. Not sure bush bashing is my favourite thing!

After watching sunrise, why does Ma do this, it was finally time to visit what the trip was kind of about. The most northerly point in Australia. We parked the four cars and walked up the rocky cliffs past the mangroves, and back down again to the other side where a small sign greeted us. There was no one about and we managed some crazy photos, even I was happy about these photos. We all dunked our paws into the water that was slushing about the tip, cool feeling on my worn out paws. After some group photos we headed back and I spotted two dingos checking me out on the drive back, I could sense they wanted to eat me. I tried to stare them out, they were both thin and poor looking so a meal of me would have satisfied them, yuk, why am I even writing this.

The next day the humans all went on a helicopter ride, seeing my favourite humans zipping off in a very small tin can with blades on top was daunting but my aunties all soothed me. The folks said it was pretty good but the pilot wasn't very knowledgeable about the area. 

Now, the next part, I needed the straight jacket to stop the humans. Aunty Hauley wanted to go through a river crossing where we had to be winched out. So Ma and I stayed in the car with him and the others put the winch around a tree. I'm looking at this tree, cos I know my trees and as we started winching the tree fell down. Aunty Hauley laughed and then I noticed water on the floor which was handy as I was feeling thirsty.  Ma told Aunty this and they realised the door had a leak. Nothing too serious so onward we travelled. The folks and I got dropped off at Cable Bay and walked back to our campsite at Punsand Bay where they ate fresh fish for dinner. Kindly caught by our neighbours, and I even got a little taste as they had so much given to them.

After a night where I think I slept a little more easily we left the next day for the big trak back to Cooktown. It began to rain, very small amounts but the humans were glad as it kept the dust to a minimum on the roads. Checked out a DC3 plane wreck and caught the Jardine river ferry back across. Four humans and I drove the old telegraph track down to the actual Jardine River, Ma was driving and I gave Pa a glance to ensure he thought this was a wise move. Over a few river crossings, up a hill to where they stopped and even I looked. Aunty Phil and Hauley were down a ditch, back wheels spinning around but they were ok. Seems Aunty Hauley was so busy looking for a termite mound in the shape of Queensland that he'd seen on a previous trip that instead of a path in front, the cars bumper kissed the ground. Pa popped the snatchems on our car and we pulled their car out. They all had a laugh and I just looked at them again thinking to myself 'why'!

 Looking back it was defiantly an adventure and I think it's one of my favourite things, adventure, that's what this is all about. We drove back and met up with the others and as the window was down, the wind was blowing my ears I couldn't help but think.......nothing really. Wind, my favourite thing. 

We spent the next few nights through Coen, Kennedy River, Laura, Old Laura, Normanby River then the scenery changed to rainforest flora and then we were at Cooktown. Stayed here overnight where I'm pretty sure we all had best nights sleep in the big tent so far.

The road travelled the next day took us through the Black Mountains, into The Lions Den and then Ayton where we camped for the night. Great caravan park here, not many people around and I was off leash a fair bit, sniffing the camp dogs butts that lived there. Nice quiet night sleep then off again, putting the cars up rocky roads along the CREB track to Megs Falls and then finally we hit the Daintree and we stay at Cape Tribulation for two nights. Very wet under the big kennel here, sand flies bite me but its a pretty spot here. We go for big beach walks and I am snuck into a camp where dogs aren't allowed for our final nights dinner with the gang. Sad to say ta-ta to my fellow travellers but we must move on. Across the Daintree on the ferry, into Port Douglas to catch up with Aunty Trish and check out the markets and then back to Mareeba where our tin can awaits us. We are all daunted looking at all the dust to clean on the car,  washing to wash and tin can to be sorted out again. The folks get it all done and I help by staying out of their underfoot of course!! Woof!


time to plank, my favourite thing.....