Thursday 19 June 2025

Today is another waiting game. We are to fly into Darwin today, for just one night before this amazing trip is over. We have skipped breakfast this morning, and it was an apparently wise move. This luxury lodge had run out of bread and everything else seemed inedible. It appears that perhaps Nell, aka Brunhilde, is not as in control as she would like. I neglected to mention that last night, for our only buffet dinner of this journey, there was a cheese platter. However there were no biscuits. As I was enjoying my cheese with knife and fork, another traveller requested some biscuits. There was a little confusion before a long wait. A long wait. By which time the table had been cleared. Then, and only then, did the biscuits appear. Scotch Finger.

Whilst we wait for our afternoon flight, Cherrie gathers her photos together. Just some examples of the flora we have seen throughout our trip.

The three most common trees seen across our adventure are below. From left to right are the Ironwood, the Woolybutt and the Stringbark. The flower is that of the Woolybutt

More rare are the carbuncle varieties

And, then there was the fauna. The lower two photos are of a black ant nest in the fork of the tree, with the ant trails to the nest

As for bush tucker, be careful what you forage for. These below are bush grapes, delicious

And here are the quinine berry on the left, excellent for tooth ache, and the strychine berry on the right. The latter will kill even the biggest beast within hours. Fortunately not found around Leongatha

The flight to Darwin started for me as it always does. Checking the seat pocket for what is becoming increasingly less sought after. Good to know it’s family friendly though

The slow burns are evident

And the resulting cloud cover

We transfer from the airport just in time to check into the Outback Spirit arranged hotel, shower and change for our final tour dinner, on the MV Charles Darwin. A two hour cruise and buffet dinner provides a most unusual occurrence. That of me not eating. It’s the roll of the boat. SeaLegs has obliged as it is intended, but my appetite is abeyed. Perhaps a long cruise is just what the waist needs.

We watch another sunset

As we farewell our fellow travellers. We have made new friends on this trip and look forward to catching up with Brenda and Tom in Sydney.

Cherrie and I will spend the next three days exploring Darwin before heading home.