Mataranka, Wed 19 June 2002, email us, text only sorry, at longw@acr.net.au. Enjoyed answering the emails we received today, thanks to Mum, Anne and Sue.
Leaving lovely Mataranka where we spent 1 night on the way up to Darwin and then 2 nights on the way south. This is the home of the book "We of the Never Never". Also the home of some beautiful thermal springs set amongs tropical palms and the water was 34 degrees!!! (sorry!!) The kids loved every minute of it and it was difficult to get them to leave!
The movie of Mrs Gunn's novel, above, was filmed, mostly, around here and they constructed a replica homestead about 100 metres from the sight of the original where Jeannie Gunn lived. We looked at the replica yesterday. Rooms are set up with period furniture and displays of clothing of the time. AT the resort (?) next door they show the movie at noon each day which is a little weird in sight of the building shown in the movie!!!
Today we head 550kms to Three Ways near Tennant Creek and then we get up very early tomorrow to travel the 630 odd kms to Mt Isa. We have been told that the trip across the Barkely Highway (i think that is what this bloke we talked to called it) can get very head-windy so an early start may be to our advantage!! Next message may be from Queensland!!
We will be sorry to leave the NT it has been very interesting with perfect weather and blue skies every day (though the sleeping is only comfortable inland!!)
A special hello to 9/10 computing studies, I hope I am in time, today, for you to read this. We are half an hour behind here so it is almost 2nd period, anyway, enjoy classes cos I will be back soon!!! (grim news all round, I bet!!!) Study hard and go easy on Mr Foo and the others, they DO care about you!!! Still waiting for an email from some courageous student in 9 or 10...have an email from yr 11s already so thank you for that!!
Better go, the road awaits!!
REgards to all, bye for now
Warwick, Libby, Kelsie, Brittany and Janaya!!