Being Australian born you are accustommed to the local wild-life and therefore I was not really worried about anything we might come across on the trip (except for spiders which the roaring technique works well for both stunning and removing them from your skin). I have managed to find something new, horrible, and darn-right scary.
Before I tell you what it is I must mention that in our travels we stopped at a creek that I now call “Phobia Creek”. It seems that the Arnott bunch are a hardened crew and not scared of much (except for Lady Claire’s daily scream at something that might resemble a spider if you added another 2 legs, 6 eyes, and 2 fangs) but this changed when we arrived at “Phobia Creek”. The night became dark and we were all alone with no one else for miles. The camp fire was high and then suddenly Jack fell to the ground screaming. Bronte and Lady Claire soon followed and I was not sure of the symptoms… Was it my cooking? That’s right, I did not cook. Clare and Bronte retreated to the swags and 4WD with wild hysterical screams. These screams were admidst these little jumping sounds. Little jumping sounds from something very big!!! That’s right. Grasshoppers! The kind my grandmother captures from behind and quickly rips their heads off. And now the Arnott bunch know why.
So back to my story. I have been attacked… by mosquitos which is a common problem in the tropics and sub-tropics. I have scratched merrily away as well (so has Bronte). Now that has left me with these sores that are slowly healing, but not anymore. I met this new menace just a fews days ago. We all went for a swim at some hot springs and I felt a bite under the water. Jack soon dived to inspect what was going on. When he emerged from the water he was shivering and white (he was a little cold and off-colour that day). Jack announced that it was a fish. Whack!!! I had another bite but deeper this time. I think I had accidently walked into a fish run cleaning station that you might find on the Barrier Reef. I quickly escaped the water. Now each time I swim that same thing happens. Whatever unhealed wounds are found these fish attack until the wound is both clean again (although bleeding and needing to start the whole healing process again). So when going into swimming holes of the Northern Territory make sure you cover your wounds from the hungry fish.
Hi there,
OK the hard man has spoken and felt the impact of Australian wildlife on the tourist invasion with injuries to their largest body organ. Where is the evidence, I see no sores, or fish teeth, or sucking lips. I saw more in Henry’s fish tank yesterday when this enormous cat fish emerged from its cave. OK it looked big because it was magnified through the glass but at least it was real.
I’ll check the info tonight when your Australian friends are arriving. It probably is just a phobia that your grandmother instilled in you when you were younger Robbie!
We used to have an Australian at work who came out with these fantastic tea break stories about life in the outback. As we strolled back to our workplace the discussion was centred around which of those stories we thought were true. A good read though Robbie but a little bit of an anti climax. We await for the next episode.
Keep having fun.
Regards John