Bridge Creek

Bridge Creek
We stayed at this camp for 2 nights on the way up to Darwin and 3 nights on the way back down. A very comfortable stop with toilets and water as well as tables set around the camp, we experienced an occasion which could have been scary if it had not been a very intersting time.
The authorities were back burning on the other side of the road, around the back of us had already been done previously.
While we watched over the first two days the fire darted and flowed back and forth along the roadside and back to the next hills with what we believed was a dam in between. Sometimes there was smoke and other times very high flames which lapped at the edge of the highway. Some of the campers wandered over to get a closer look at the fires. As they moved on the fire would be lapping at their heels and just as suddenly die down in that spot and reappear in another spot.
What I found really amazing was the amount of eagles and hawks flying around directly above where ever the fire was burning. As they divebombed to catch the escaping wildlife it was easy to see what they were after, reptiles, mice, snakes and other small animals who had been unable to escape the fires. The birds would sweep down and come back up with a meal in their beaks or claws. Sometimes they would drop their catch on the road, not sure if by accident or if because it was too hot to hold. This gave a chance for some of the others to nab the catch or a fight between 3 or 4 birds would ensue, all vying for the same meal.
We were able to have happy hour with other nomads travelling as we were and have some great chats. Also an interesting fact was the amount of times we would meet up with the same ones we had seen time and time again back further in our travels.
One was Mavis, a lovely lady close to her 80s who was travelling on her own in a small high top van. We first met her at Jericho when Jules invited her over to our camp at Happy Hour. After that we then saw her at Longreach and other places. When ever we saw a van after that we wondered if it was Mavis but sadly she must have out run us and moved on.
On the way back from Darwin we stopped in a little park area where there was a lovely babbling brook, as I thought of it, just gorgeous with water so clear running over stones, so rare to see.
Had a break there and took some photos which will be in with this blog.
Back at Bridge Creek we spent 3 nights, just Steve and I for a start as we were waiting for Colleen to catch up. She had been staying with daughter and family in Darwin for about a week, needed to say goodbye and get back on the road. Jules and Billeee had by then met up with an old friend of Jules who had invited them to stay a few days so we said goodbye in Darwin to them and hope to meet up with them somewhere on this next stretch when they catch up.
Colleen arrived st Bridge Creek on our 2nd day there and needing the rest we gave her another day before heading south again.
By this time the fires across the road had died down to just a bit of smoke, so we had to make our own entertainment  which we managed as new people came into camp which necessitated another chat with someone new.
Monday morning we were back on the road heading south to Katherine to refuel, restock and head west.

 

Eagle

Eagle

Dragonfly