There are many reasons to travel. The main purpose of this
trip is to make our way home to Sydney. The second is to explore a bit more of
this great country, especially the NT. The third is to catch up with some very
dear friends on the way.
Today we make a 400km return trip (260km on a single lane
bitumen road and 140km on dirt) to visit John and Jenna Armstrong and their
family who work as volunteers in the remote community of Ngukurr. Ngukurr is a
predominantly indigenous community with a population of about a thousand people
and is located about 100kms from the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
We are surprised at the diversity and beauty of the Roper
River region. Driving across the Roper Bar at this time of the year, though the
water is only inches deep, is still exhilarating. The scenery is stunningly
beautiful. If it wasn’t for the crocs this would be a picture perfect swimming
hole. 
It is always a great joy to catch up with friends. John and
Jenna have created a wonderful home for their growing family. You can buy a
gourmet meal in all sorts of fancy places, but there are few things more enjoyable
than breaking home cooked bread (and cake) with friends of long standing.
A highlight of the day is a visit to the Ngukurr Arts
Centre. A painting of a group of magpie geese in a billabong begs us to take it
home. We buy the painting and are delighted to meet the artist, Karen Rogers. We
enjoy chatting with her about her love of country, family and art.
Our day ends back at Mataranka Homestead with a live open air
concert. A whip cracking concert, no less!
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