Today was the final leg to Katherine, civilization for the first time in some weeks. For Brendon and Daniel it will be an opportunity to prepare for the second leg of their odyssey, for Nina and I it will mean some new tyres and repairs to the pop-top tent. Nina and I were the farewell party for the guys as they prepared to get underway and finally departed. Then we did a little tour of the Mataranka area visiting a few of the local sights; Bitter Creek, the replica of Elsey homestead built for the movie We of the Never Never, and the old Elsey Cemetery.

We caught up with the cyclists about 40km from Katherine.

In Katherine we all stayed in cabins at the Boab Campground.

Wednesday 16th Aug

Up to this point the stay in Katherine was pleasant but only partially successful. Of the various items we have been waiting for in the mail only one has arrived. The new tyres for our vehicle have not arrived. The spares for the pop-top tent are not even on their way as yet. Finally the Matildas lost to the English.

Thursday 17th Aug

On a positive front today Brendon and Daniel got underway with a mammoth effort on day one of the final leg; 200km from Katherine to Victoria River Roadhouse.

Our vehicle got its 20,000km service.