On Thursday, we rose before the sun, left Canteen Creek and travelled to a small township, Elliot, which is half way between Tennant Creek and Katherine. Here, we were meeting with one family and what better place to do this than by a beautiful waterhole. It took most of the day to get there, and the last 10-12 kms were on a dirt track but it was a stunning place.
The family we met with are the only Christians in this community - I can't imagine that situation and the burdens it creates. They seem to be fairly active in the community and always have children they are caring for. That is an interesting facet of Aboriginal communities we have visited out here. A father and mother may not necessarily be married and they can easily be raising several children that are not their own. The sense of community is broader than the nuclear family but situations arise where care by others becomes necessary, for the welfare of those children.
Watching the sun go down over the water at the end of the day was majestic. After several nights in tents at Canteen Creek, it was great to have our caravan back (we picked it up in Tennant on the way back through) to be sleeping there! Maybe I am just soft...
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