Darwin 30th June
We Tried two campsites in Darwin to be told they were fully booked ( school holidays had begun) Eventually we found a fantastic little site on Bees Creek Road about 30k from the centre of Darwin.
Alan the caretaker was a top bloke and looked after the site like it was his own . I got a tour of the property on his quad bike and the lowdown on the fishing spots. The creek that passes near the campsite has a 6 metre range . Despite my best efforts i never managed to fish on the rising tide so all my barramundi were tiddlers.
I did however get to see a juvenile wedge tail eagle each day as it roosted in the same tree.
In a dam near the campsite we were able to catch fleeting glimpses of a 1.5 m fresh water croc who took a daily sunbathe from around 3pm on its private beach.
We took day trips from here into town which included getting the aircon unit changed on the van and an overdue service for the car . We also took in the open top tour of the city which gave a great run down on all aspects of the town (Kate told me this as i had a snooze most of the way round ).
It was nice of the local coffee shop to lay on a Barista course for the antiqueteenagers.
We also happened to be in Darwin for the second Lions test which we watched in the local RSL .
The game was great and the predominantly kiwi crowd were magnanimous in defeat and came round and shook our hands . I don’t think the league and AFL supporters could quite take it in as the support had been fervent from both sides.! The only other Lions fans was Terry pronounced “Tirri “ who hailed from Rotherham. Terry knew a few of my old rugby teammates from Wakefield and Rotherham so we hit it off pretty well. At the end of the game he undertook a speech to the table of how this game and everyone at the table was already emblazoned on his mind for eternity then asked “what are your names again” !
The day of the test also happened to be Territory day which is the NTs excuse to party and let off fireworks. You can only purchase and set off fireworks on this one day of the year . We went to Mindil Beach market where there was lots of food stalls live music and of course a massive official firework display we could see from the beach itself .
On the way home we watched the unofficial firework displays which seemed to require at least two very drunk adults , one child who was responsible for lighting fireworks and various passers by who scattered for cover whenever the child lit a match . Should be renamed Terror day !
We had a free swim at Bitter Springs where we were surrounded by a Nag (collective term ) of Grey Nomads noodlers.
Kate and I were given feedback on our car cleaning diligence by a passer by !
The old vac seal got hammered as we prepped for the desert
We also did a bit of preparation for Georgia coming to Darwin from the frozen South. No expense spared for luxuries .
