Day 45/46. August 3-4, 2022. Mataranka. Bitter and grumpy

The last few days of driving and setting up and packing up and driving have got to me, and I am in a bit of a grumpy mood when we get here. “The dust, the dust is everywhere, it’s in your eyes and in your hair.” What we are doing is the right way to go for us, the right balance of fending for ourselves and occasionally eating out. Setting up for dinner and washing dishes in a bucket and putting it all away again takes a bit of time, but really, we have plenty of it. Accommodation in units for all of the trip would have reduced the time away and reduced our flexibility, but it does get a bit draining. (I know, bring out those small violins). Darwin in a couple of nights where we get to stay in an apartment for 9 nights is coming along at the right time. To be able to stand next to the bed and be in the same room will be great, and to have our own bathroom where we can leave stuff will also help me from losing soap holders in the showers.

My mood does pick up for a bit in the afternoon when we head down to Bitter Springs, which really is amazing. It is a spring river that for a bit they have made some easy entry and exit points. There are signs to be aware of freshwater crocodiles, but the likelihood in the small section is quite unlikely. The temperature is now topping 35 degrees, and the spring water is thermally heated to a constant 32 degrees – my excuses have now run out and I take the plunge. Forewarned is forearmed and friends had recommended bringing swimming noodles with us, and we have been carrying two since Charters Towers where Linda managed to find the last two. Apparently, there is a nationwide noodle shortage, and some people on facebook were selling their used noodles for $25 each. Not sure if they got any bites, but we were surprised there were sharks in Mataranka. Other people have been leaving theirs when they move on. The spring provides a surprisingly strong current and for 10 minutes or so you bob along the water which is nice. Like Bathurst, we did three laps in the afternoon.

The next morning, we are up at 7 and go down to Bitter Springs to bob in the serenity, assuming there would be less people there. There were, but a surprising amount of people that like to come for an early morning dip like to talk at a volume that is at the same level as I am after a few beers. Not too bad in a pub, but in a forest with a gentle stream and the birds singing you don’t need Harry and Harriet to scream good morning at everyone and demand to know about the turtle situation, or George and Georgina to exclaim to everyone how the water does wonders for their back and where have you been, you shouldn’t have gone there, somewhere else is better, blah blah blah.

Mataranka springs were nice too, but have been made a little more accessible and sustainable. It is more like a pool, with only a small current, but nice to lie around in and find spots where George and Georgina are out of earshot. I have declared before my dislike for things like Hot Peninsula Springs, where you are in a pool of water with a dozen other people whose skin health status is unknown, and it is 5 degrees outside and the cold rises through your feet and shins like knives in a Freddy Kruger movie. However, with it being warm when you get out, and the water constantly flowing, this I approve of.

Our last night in Mataranka we go for a sundowner at the bar after our third swim at Bitter Springs. Just a quick beer and update some plans, and back to cook dinner. However, our immediate plans are thrown out the window when we notice the speaker covers are off and there are guitars up on the outdoor stage. A gig! Live music! We didn’t miss this one! Another round ordered, dinner ordered and Jessey Jackson – originally from Anglesea from all places – entertains us, and we sit at a table with our van neighbours and have a good chat as well. Dinner is really good, and it has been astounding how good some of this food is in the middle nowhere. Tonight’s Barramundi is fantastic. Jessey plays some originals and covers, and we are back into one of our comfort zones. Nice to have a chat with her as well.

I was a bit grumpy coming to Mataranka, but I am feeling a much better now.