Horrible December and a break in Darwin

Hello all
I thought it was hot in November...............but December showed me how wrong i was.

I have read many articles over the years about travelling out of season to avoid the crowds and inflated prices. It all sounds good in theory but just is not practical, its just too bloody hot.

Early october in the Kimberley

Even now I see the occasional traveller come through in a Camper Trailer or Tent, they only last one night,two nights at the most, then book into an Air conditioned Cabin.

late october in the Kimberley

The plans you make for the weekends don't happen.......its just too hot.

mid November 

Unless you get what you need to get done before about 8-9am it just gets too hot.

early December

Now as you are probably aware official temperatures are measured in the shade.

ground temperature a few weeks ago

When you decide that you wish to go for a drive, think again............ground temperatures hovering around 70c, shade temperatures around 42-45c and its just too hot to get out of the vehicle.
Until the rains start and cool the ground down there is no relief, in the morning everything is still hot from yesterday.

So next time you southerners get a couple of days about 37c and whinge, spare a thought for us up here, where there has only been a handful of days UNDER 40c since late September.

With work closing for two weeks over Christmas and the New Year it was a good opportunity to head up to Darwin to do some shopping and escape the heat.

Victoria River Region, Gregory National Park

Wow Darwin was so pleasant............you could stand in the sun........you could do things and was such a nice change to be only getting 34-35c days.

On the other side..............after dealing with our 2 roundabouts but no traffic lights, hitting the Boxing Day sales at the homemakers centre carpark in Bagot Rd (BCF, Anaconda, Supercheap and Retravision) was a traumatic experience haha.

So many angry, people all competing for a carpark.....so they don't miss out on a bargain.

I did my bit for the economy, while there, New 245/70R16 BF Goodrich K02 All Terrain tyres on the Ute. A new CFF45 Dometic Fridge Freezer. a Dune Barwon Swag and so on.

Fuel, food, accommodation, a short trip to Kakadu, my trip to Darwin cost me about $3800 but the savings and elimination of freight cost compensated somewhat.

Reluctantly I left Darwin for the wilds of Kakadu, in the Wet while I still had some money left....

South Alligator River Floodplain

After an uneventful drive out to Jabiru, It was check into accomodation and next morning head out to Cahill's Crossing.
Remember that camping up in the tropics this time of year is not really an option, its just too hot and wet.

40kph wipers were on 

 A tropical Storm was encountered on the way out to the East Alligator River. The rain was so heavy I had to pull over and stop.

Cahills crossing into Arnhem Land claims another victim

The Wet Season needs to be experienced, the new vegetation growth glows almost luminous with the nitrogen in the soil.

Kakadu floodplain

The downside is, so much is inaccessible due to flooding, and the best parts of Kakadu are off limits this time of year.
The upside is, after seeing Kakadu many times all brown and dry, it was good to see full of life. And believe it or not.....I did not see a mosquito!

The humidity is so high this time of the year that every time you get out of the vehicle you sunglasses fog up, as does the camera.

Jim Jim Creek

It was time to start heading back towards home, and after a massive overnight storm in Katherine the Victoria Highway was like an obstacle course in parts with debris and trees down across the road.

Victoria Highway, Gregory National Park

The drive through the Victoria River Region is one I always enjoy, and to see it so lush and green was special.

Victoria Highway, Gregory National Park

Since being away there has been a couple of good storms to cool things down a little.

lightning tracker from thursday night

When these storms occur they need to be seen to be believed............the lightning is constant......thursday nights storm started about 12.30am and fizzled out about 9.00am after dumping 65mm of rain.

The benefit is that these storms cool the ground down a bit and make life a little more livable here.
Also the temperatures seem to have dropped below 40c and the waterfalls have begun.

The Grotto (movie) and Valentine Springs (still)

I am desperately hoping this change is the weather stays so that I can explore the waterfalls.
I talked the Boss into closing again at Easter (take 3 days get 10 days) so depending on Roads being open I want to head to either Kalumbaru or Broome for 10 days.

Bye for now.............