Superman writes about the fire

We had an exciting time at Mt Beatrice Campspot-the last free camp before Darwin on the Central Arnhem Road.

Murray had just finished jacking down the legs and the NT fireman arrived to tell us that in 30 minutes the savannah grass surrounding us would be burnt. He suggested that we move from our shaded spot and park in the middle-in the blazing sun-and that he would have a fire truck on standby in case the wind changed.

Burnoffs are common here at this time of the year-with much of Kakadu smelling of smoke and Darwin also has not had clear skies for the previous week as the smoke lingers-it smells like a rubbish fire.

We moved along with 2 other vans.

 A man on a quad bike came along with a fire torch and lit the edges of the campsite and POOSH up went the flames. Crackle and pop – just like cocoa pops….

Wild birds-eagles, hawks and kites hovered above us, hoping to catch an escapee-a snake, or a mouse or lizards.

It was thirsty work, so I shared a coke with the fireman.