Hard to believe but our odyssey is now officialy half over!
We had planned to leave Litchfield this morning however found that one of the roads which was closed had been opened so decided to stay another day. Our friends all left this morning so just us today.
First we headed for the Blythe Homestead road - the one previously closed. 7km 4wd track which was fine including a water crossing near the start which was the reason the road had been closed. While it looked a bit daunting at first was OK and no more than 40cm deep. This same road took us to Tjaynera Falls car park. From here it was a 1.7km walk down to the falls. A beautiful walk through through thick bush where small streams bubbled away all around us. The amount of water around here is amazing. Once there we found a few people already enjoying the crystal clear pool at the bottom of the falls. We didn't bring swimming gear with us but that didn't stop Sean getting in and having a go then drying off on the walk back to the car.
From here we back-tracked to Blythe Homestead. This small 2 room building was put there in 1920s by the Sargent family who's main homestead was 25miles away. The building was placed there because of a working tin mine literally in the back yard just across the creek. The parents of this pioneering family worked the main farm while the kids were sent to live in this building and work the tin mine. No shortage of workers with 14 kids. These kids were tough - an album in this building has wonderful stories of life here - including one about 9yo Sam who caught himself a croc and proceeded to keep it as a pet.
Next stop Tableotop Swamp - a depression at the top of the hills in the national park has turned into a full on swamp.
Then onto Bamboo Creek Tin Mine. Started in the 1880s after tin was found by the workers building the overland telegraph (this is a common theme through every settlement in the Territory - one wonders what would be different had it not happened). It hurts the brain to wonder about the lives these guys led. First just to get to this place would have been a great effort, then dragging in the all the processing equipment, then working your arse off underground every day, then getting stranded here for the whole wet season -I wonder what they did with their spare time?
Then back to the van for our last night in Litchfield.
The Campbells
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