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....