Jumping Crocodiles

Lovely to have a bit of a sleep in and a leisurely start to the day after breakfast. Wandered up Cavenagh Street and got to The Cav hotel where I went and booked a table for us for tonight's dinner. Most of the kittens were happy to go back to the RSL club but I found out that they don't take bookings for Friday nights as it is so busy. The lass at the Tourist info centre recommended the Cav so I made an executive decision and made the booking. As we didn't need to meet until 12.30 it was lovely to have some free time to sit and contemplate the meaning of life, plus get some reading in. All were ready and on time for our departure as we set off on our Spectacular Jumping Crics nature tour. We had a short stop at the Window on the Wetlands Visitors Centre which was interesting. Saw where the failed rice fields had been and where the buffalo breeding has replaced it. Lovely view across the Marrakai Plains. Then on to the Adelaide River for a cruise on the river to see the crocodiles which launch themselves out of the river to eat the chicken carcasses and buffalo bones dangled on a rope above them. We were told that there are about 1600 crocodiles in the river and it didn't take long at all before we saw them either on the river bank sunning themselves, or in the muddy river, following the boat!!! What an amazing sight to see them jumping up out of the water. The 'regular' crocodiles that follow the boat are all recognised on sight by the boat crew (who all happened to be female) have been named by the crew and it was 'Trevor' who gave us the best photo opportunities. He was a bloody big croc!!! Back on the coach and then on to Fogg Dam nature reserve where we saw more bird life, crocodiles and even a long neck turtle. Back to Darwin and dropped off at out hotel at 6.25 pm. As I had made our dinner booking for 6.45 I told the kittens that they had 5 minutes for a toilet stop, freshen up and back in the foyer for us to all walk down to the hotel. I offered to get a taxi for little M and Frugal as I know neither of them like walking, but they both said they would prefer to stay and eat in the hotel restaurant again so I was happy to leave them to it. The other M who is very easily distracted and has a terrible habit of not listening so that you have to repeat everything 3 times and she still doesn't get it, was hoping that I was going to book a taxi as she clearly didn't want to walk either but I told her to get her skates on as the others were all ready to go. I ended up sending the others on their way while I waited for her and then kept her moving at a speed she wasn't used to! What is it with women who can't walk and talk at the same time? I thought we could all do that, but the two 'M's are the exception. Anyway just as M was telling me that she would have to stop I told her 'No... Keep walking'. She looked at me in total shock as I then told her that we had reached the hotel! It certainly was a busy place and the meals were good, but a noisy bunch of inebriated males were a bit of a nuisance. A couple of the kittens complained to me about their language, which I wasn't paying any attention to, but as it was obviously getting to them I said I would go and speak to the blokes. I had no idea what I was going to say but figured if I gave them 'The Look' and said something like, 'Don't make me come back a second time to ask you to lower your voices and watch your language' surely they would all instantly become choir boys. Well that was the plan anyway, however just as I was ready to go and chat them one of the female bar staff took a jug of water over to them and must have given the same speech I was about to give them as they weren't a problem after that! Crisis and international incident averted. Time to head back to the hotel and have a much needed cuppa. It's an early start again in the morning so hopefully a good night sleep is ahead of me. It's been another lovely day one could get used to these 28 degrees days....