MONDAY 6 JULY     KALPOWAR CAMP

It is already evident that the days are much hotter, away from the coast.

After breakfast, we went back to the Ranger Station to extend our stay here. Really like this campground, and there seems to be lots to explore in the Park. We registered for a total of four nights here and four at Hann Crossing, which is further north than here. They allocated us Site 12 there. There is a policy that tents can only stay in one place at Kalpowar for five days, so as to give the grass a chance to recover a bit. We figure that, with the time here and then at Hann Crossing, we will have enough time to explore the National Park well, and also to recover between moves.

We only felt like a small outing today, so drove to Mick Feinn Waterhole, on the Normanby River, upstream from Kalpowar. Spent some time here, bird watching. We found some Sarus cranes – like brolgas but with a different head marking.

Got back to camp for a late lunch.

Walked around the camp area and along the river, for a while.

The campground has remained almost full through today.

Tea was steak, fries and salad. Now that I am using the gas camp stove, am limited to two burners, so meals have to fit that parameter.

Used the radphone to call K – he confirmed that he had received the phone message we left before we left Cooktown, that he is to send mail to Weipa, and he said he would do so. The contact faded out after a while.

Another early night – tent camping away from electricity tends to encourage this