Just after 8pm Sunday night the Teachabout team arrived back
at camp after an action packed weekend out on country with Robin Riley, our ever-generous
guide and teacher. We woke up bright and early
on Saturday (about 9am – we’re on NT time!), both troopies packed to the brim with
ALs and Robin’s family, to collect sugar bags. A sugar bag is found in certain
trees or in the ground; is produced by friendly non-stinging bees; and tastes
somewhere in between honey and maple syrup.
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| Micheala squeezing the goodness out of a sugar bag. |
After only a short time driving Micheala spotted one in a
tree in the distance, and so our work began! When
found in trees, the tree must be cut down and then cut open to retrieve the
elusive, tasty treat. Due to our feeble, unseasoned hands and muscles we spent an
inordinate amount of time cutting down the tree, with some necessary and greatly appreciated assistance from Robin.
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| The six activity leaders try their hands at chopping. |
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| Robin shows us how it's done. |
Due to their delicate city hands the boys walked away with
some fairly gnarly battle wounds. We’re yet to hear the end of their complaints. The
girls however, remained blisterless – which greatly impressed Robin.
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| City boy battle wounds, two days post. |
After the first site, we moved to a nearby natural spring,
perfect for a refreshingly ice cold swim. Here we found 2 more sugar bags,
which took our final total to 4!
We then returned to the car to be greeted by an
extraordinarily flat tire. Changed it. 30 minutes later, flat again. Jesse
keeps reminding us that he has never had a flat before in his whole Teachabout
life while driving, so we have officially blamed Kevin for our misfortunes.
To cap off our Saturday we had Micheala, Robin & Jojo over
for Robin’s favourite meal: lasagna!
On Sunday we headed to Arwulungu, which I have enviously
listened to Jesse rave about for 3 years. It was such a relief to hear Robin
suggest a trip there a few days prior. It’s absolutely stunning, filled with
angular rock faces and hidden waterholes around every corner. If you climb high
enough there is a spectacular 360 view of the surrounding area. The rocks are a
little reminiscent of Emyn Muil (Lord of the Rings reference for those
wondering) with less Gollum and more swimming.
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| How's the serenity? |
After a couple of hours of exploring and fishing Robin then
took us to some nearby rock paintings, as well as a site that contains rocks
connected to rain dreaming. Throughout our time in Minyerri, Robin has gone out
of his way to share with us the special places for him and his family. He is extremely
generous with his time and his knowledge. I know myself and the other new ALs are
particularly thankful to have been able to learn and see so much of Alawa
country in our short time here.
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| Removing the sugar bag from the tree. |
We ended the day at a nearby billabong with better fishing
than Arwulungu. We managed to catch two brim and Amy proudly caught her first
turtle! So we settled down to a lunch of our catch and stacks of damper expertly
made by Robin’s daughter Janita, with the help of Tara, Amy and Jolie.
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| Damper on the coals. |
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| Amy couldn't be happier with her first catch. |
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| The drive home. |
Overall it was a fantastic weekend and I cannot wait for
the next one, especially because Robin and Hilda’s lists of places to take us
continues to grow.
Now excuse me whilst I topple into bed, so as to be ready
for a big week of Teachabout & Teachabout Junior!
Over and out,
Phoebe
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