Day 25 Mataranka to Katherine 110 kms

Usual start to the day although Woody was the first out of camp which is a very unusual occurrence. Not sure what was the matter with him as he had upgraded so he shouldn't have had the restless night most of us did due to the humidity. Although I'm not sure if his room had air conditioning or not so he may have had a bad night- didn't get the chance to ask him.

They all got a move on when they realized Woody had left and the group was not spread out as far as usual today. Morning tea was at the 55 km mark at a rest area and Jan reported that the toilets were sweet smelling for a change. Jacquei donated biscuits then Theo donated a fruit cake and then Bob donated more biscuits so we had an abundance of supplies today. Just as our riders were leaving, another rider going in the other direction was pulling in so we invited her to a cup of tea. She was from Germany and it was a bit unclear as to where she had been and where she was heading but she was 75 years old and traveling alone. She wanted us to carry her luggage across the Nullarbor but in the opposite direction as to where we were going and for free. We tried to explain to her this was not possible but she didn't seem to understand. She was a real talker and we had to excuse ourselves so we could catch up with our riders.
Not far down the road we came across two more riders who had left Darwin 4 days ago but due to the winds they were struggling to travel very far each day. They had started with 3 of them but one pulled out this morning as he was struggling to keep up with them. They are heading to Newcastle.
Made it to Katherine before midday and staying at a really lovely caravan park although a couple of the riders are complaining that it is too far out of town. It is 5 kms out of town and the grounds are superb with great facilities and peace & quiet. We did tell them that they can move themselves to a park in the middle of town and we would deliver their luggage to the park of their choice (this would have to be considered an upgrade and at their own expense). No-one took us up on the offer.
Went into town for a food shop as we needed morning tea supplies and we are having Jacquei, Melanie & Annie to our cabin for dinner tonight. We have given ourselves a little treat the next 2 nights so that we can have a break from the constant demands. The cabins are expensive but very nicely set out and worth the money.
We have had such a lovely night with some very good friends. I made a spaghetti bolognese and Jacquei made 2 great salads and then ice creams & tim tams for dessert. Lots of beer and chips to round off the night with a game of Ludo. Annie won and poor old Melanie and I came last.