Hi its been great in Kakadu but there are a lot of Spider and Insects this was the bigest Spider so far in the pic and there has been a lot of Eagles and Birds Henry would like it. We went on a boat tour and was very good because off the Crocs and Animals.There was a very nice sun set for the last few days the best one was on top of a mountain in Kakadu. But before all this we went to Darwin it is all a lot like Sydney. We went to a good market called the Mindle beach market lots of good things and some good shows. Its been very hot here in Kakadu and I hate it but i just go swimming to cool off, but i’m enjoying it see you soon……….Jack

Hi everybody what are you doing. The other day we went to Darwin and went to the markets and it was cool, then the next day we went shopping and brought lots of presents and stuff.While we were out robbie got new tyres. Next we went to Kakadu and the scenery was good and it was very very hot.While we were in kakado we went on a boat trip on the aligator river and we saw lots of crocs not the shoes the proper crocodiles,and we saw a jesus bird which walks on the lilly pads and it was really funny.Then we saw a baby jabaroo which are really big birds. Gran you said you felt small so I show you this picure of me with termite mound to make you feel better. See you soon bye xx

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.

Yes Auntie Jane I do remember those fond days in France and definitely the highlight was that amazing production we put on. All the critics agreed that we stole the show! Sadly my acting skills are not much asked for here in Australia. I have, however, been able to do a lot of reflection and I found that the best spot for meditation is under this immense fig tree (pictured looking up at it) that formed a pyramid above me. It is something to do with the channelling of the heavenly powers down into my cotten stitched body. I am hoping I will see my higher purpose here with Lady Claire the lovely.

Tomorrow I think I am driving them all from Darwin to Kakadu. PG!!!!

We went through cobolt gourge in a little boat but it needed to be small because the gorge is only 1.5 meters wide I got some good pictures of cobolt gorge and the three crocs they didnt move much but one of them did move and when he did he was very fast then then we got back from the boat we went on a walk up the hill and saw some cool things but it was so hot and we didn’t have much drink left.Then we went to lawn hill it was very dusty in not much there but as soon as you get to the gorge it is great. We went up the gorge in car inner tubes and it took hours but it was still good.Then the next day we went up the same gorge but in canoes that was not as fun because it was very windy and hard but you did see alot.Then we went to lorella springs and it was fun because it wasnt so dusty and we had hot springs which were good.The women that ran the site said she would show us some slides and we went and there was a slide made of smooth rock and you go realy fast and i didnt even hurt but just up a bit was a two metre deep pool wich was good to jump in.

hi everyone three nights ago we went to Lorella and it had hot springs. But on one of the days we went to a water slide and it was made of rock and it was really cool. Also next to it was a plung pool so we could jump off the rock into the pool. Cat recommended a banana paddle pop and we had one yesterday and they were really tasty. see you soooooooonxx

We are gradually winding our way up to Darwin. The road has been slow and pretty tiring. By the time you get this we should be in Katherine which is in the Northern Territory. Yes, after 6000ish miles we finally crossed the border from Queensland. The last few days have not been without some minor hitches. I killed an Eagle. It flew into the van, smashing the front light protectors. We ruined a tyre driving offroad on the most horrendous roads. Poor Robbie had to change the tyre in 34 degree heat. We then had to travel some 500km offroad to get to somewhere to have a new spare fitted. That’s a challenge in itself. You can travel hours without passing a car, let alone a shop or petrol station. Robbie made us laugh the other day. After travelling for several hours without seeing a soul, a couple of cars passed us and Robbie said ‘God the roads are busy today’ We have been bush camping for the past week or so. Seriously though, you could easily die out here and no-one would know. It is so hot and food/water supplies and petrol are so scarce. If you broke down off the main track, you might never be seen again! Luckily Robbie has backups for everything so all should be good for us. We have never been so filthy though..The dust is in everything. I thought I was brown until I had a shower tonight and it all came off. There are so few people camping the way we are. Most tourists are not so stupid and stay in proper campsites or motels and take organised bush tours. We have been camping with the real dedicated Aussies who have all the gear and travelling is their life. Last night a man cooked us ‘damper’ in the dutch oven on the fire Damper is a kind of Aussie bread. He put some sugar in it and it tastes like scones. There are advantages of bush camping though. Not many people see the amazing things we have encountered over the past ten days. Above are pics of the highlights.

hi grandad sorry to hear about maisie’s heat stroke but we have bought here a campervan to cheer her up. she would like to chase all the birds here and one of them jumped up to get some food. This morning we had our first bath in 6 weeks on the side of a road in the hot springs.there is a volano under the ground which makes the water hot.we are on the way to the outback and we have seen lots of termite mounds. see you soon bronte xxx

Everything in the outback is so far away from each other. Over the next few days we will be travelling over a thousand kilometres. The area we are covering at the moment is the size of Switzerland. It’s weird, I thought that I’d find the outback landscape boring but you see beauty in everything. The road is a bright red colour and stretches off into the distance as far as the eye can see. Emu’s race across the road along with the kangeroos. When I was reading the guide to Australia I remember seeing a picture of a huge termite mound and thinking ‘we must visit that.’ Little did I realise they are everywhere. Thousands of the things, peppering the landscape like graves in a cemetary.

On our way out of Cairns we stopped at another national park in the Atherton Tablelands. We met up with Robbie’s Dad and Roz and stayed with them for a couple of nights. This is a magical place. The wildlife is amazing. We were right on the edge of the lake with no-one else around. In the morning you open the curtains and see pelicans swimming in the lake. We had great fun watching all the birds. The attached picture is of a Rosella in the bottlebrush tree. Jack took the picture of Bron. He thought she looked like a weed monster.