Week 19 : 29 June to 5 July 2012 -- Darwin

Well, the countdown is on for our departure from Darwin, and time is running out to do a couple of things not yet done. You’d have thought three months would be more than enough, but as usual, those things that got put back to later are now looking in doubt.

I’m mostly concerned about Litchfield National Park. It had been on the agenda for last weekend, but as I told you in my last blog, there was a murder suspect on the loose down that way and we thought it best to stay away. Early this week, Police apprehended the bloke in question, but with only two weekends left in Darwin, I fear we won’t be able to give the park it’s due. We’re thinking we might have to visit Litchfield when we pass back through the NT in a year or so.

As suspected, we ended up at the Parap Markets again on Saturday, and after grabbing some fresh fruit and veges, we headed home via Nightcliff. In the car park by the Nightcliff Public Pool, there is a mobile café called The Jellyfish Café. They do some good looking toasties and quick meals, and the coffee is jolly good as well! What I love about the place though, is the bean bags placed on the grass, under some nice, shady trees, where you can sit back and relax while enjoying the view out over the Arafura Sea.

Relaxing on the waterfront

Sunday was ‘Territory Day’ (1^st July), and it is celebrated up here by being the only day of the year that fireworks are allowed to be sold, bought and detonated. Over the couple of weeks prior we were bombarded with letter box drops, tv and press advertising the sale of fireworks.

Signs everywhere

Outside Office Works

Oriental Emporium Supermarket
+ "Fireworks"

Pots & Pans + "Fireworks"

There were huge signs and banners everywhere you looked. Because of the limited sales time, every man and his dog seem to sell the stuff and we saw them being sold at corner stores, a fruit shop, a Beaurepairs Tyre shop, a sex shop, service station and heaps of temporary outlets.

The local council sponsored a fireworks display, in conjunction with a Darwin radio station, at Mindil Beach, and was held during the markets. The display was set to music (shades of Riverfire in Brisbane) and to say it was spectacular would be to sell it short.

Waiting for the fireworks

Check out some amazing photos of the fireworks below.

As we drove home, the smoke in the air was thick with explosions going off all around us, and when we arrived, Flash (the wonder dog) was a bit on edge, so we let the poor thing sleep inside. Fireworks were still going off after midnight and some even woke me before the alarm on Monday morning. Mind you it doesn’t get light until nearly 7am. The council gave permission for open fires and fireworks on the beaches below the high tide mark, so consequently, the remnants have been washing up all week. It’s my opinion that the mess created is a very strong argument for the banning of private fireworks consumption.

  

I’ve given you all a break from my military site ramblings for a few weeks but I did get to visit the Darwin Military Museum on Wednesday and found it a really interesting way to spend a morning, oops sorry my ramblings are back.

Nicely restored Willys Jeep  

9.2" Gun emplacement

Once you pass through the ticket counter (don’t forget your seniors card… concessions apply) you enter the WWII galleries, loaded with interactive audio visual presentations that allow you to listen to the personal experiences of those people who were evacuated from Darwin, those who stayed and those that fought. There are many old photos and films from the time, and after checking these out, you should visit the ‘Defence of Darwin Experience’. 

Remains of a cliff-side observation post

This is an extremely moving Filmspace presentation of the events of 19^th February 1942, and as the enemy planes fly over and release their bombs onto an unsuspecting Darwin, you feel you are part of the happenings of that day (reminds me of Sunday night really!).

Outside, there are military vehicles, field guns of varying sizes and heaps of other pieces of equipment on display, so it’s easy to pass time here.

6" naval shore gun

Anyway better get packing so until next week… happy travels!  

Week 18 : 22 June to 28 June 2012 -- Darwin

I informed you last week of our plans to head home (not that we have one anymore!) and spend the rest of the year in and around S.E. Queensland. Most of my time at present, while Vic is working, is spent preparing for the return trip. It’s amazing how much stuff has come out of the caravan, since we’ve been housesitting, and not gone back in. Consequently, I’ve done some ‘spring’ cleaning, while repacking, and even though I was confident I could do a better job of organizing that cavern under the bed, nothing’s going back the way it should.

Casuarina Beach at low tide

The tide, this week, has been low in the late afternoon, so Vic and I have been enjoying longer walks than normal, along Casuarina Beach. Flash, “the Wonder Dog’, loves it and spends ages in the water. When we head down to the beach she drags me all the way and on the way home, I have to drag her all the way! During the low tide here, the water goes out a long way, leaving a huge expanse of open beach and makes tidal pool exploring, a lot of fun.

Resting after a big beach walk and fishing session

Over the past week I’ve had a bit of an issue starting the car on occasion, with the voltage being down to about 12 in the mornings. When I had the auxiliary battery and electrical work done on the car back in Brisbane, I had the starter battery checked, mainly because I was certain it was still the original. It passed the check ok then, but I didn’t want to take any chances on it heading home. I am still rapt in the work done by Battery World (back home), so got the local store up here to do the work for me. Once again, I am extremely happy with the way they dealt with my enquiries, even though ‘Darwin time’ did interfere for a short while. The starting issues seem to be taken care of but I’m still a little concerned that something is causing a power drain overnight. 

Sitting on the dock of the bay

Regular readers of this blog will be aware of my interpretation of ‘Darwin time’ (see week 13) and the affect it has on getting things done promptly. My thoughts were reinforced recently when I saw the following explanation for what ‘NT’ stands for. I always thought it was Northern Territory, but if you’re waiting on a delivery… it means… Next Train or Next Truck. If, however, you are waiting on some work to be done… it means… Not Tuesday, Not Thursday, Not Today or Not Tomorrow!

Vic and I have become market groupies of late and last weekend visited the Parap Markets on Saturday, Rapid Creek and Nightcliff on Sunday morning and Mindil Beach on Sunday afternoon. They are all good entertainment and don’t break the budget.

Rapid Creek markets - Sweet water apples

Great for your weekly fruit and vege needs

Yellow water melon....love the tropical fruits

Anyone need a charger? Heaps here.

At the markets, you are sure to bump into Monte Dwyer, the former Channel 7 weatherman. Since leaving Channel 7 (and for a time prior) he has been travelling Australia in a motorhome, and interviewing the more ‘interesting characters’ that live away from the countries main centres. 

the full Monte in a bag

The results of his labours are a series of books, dvds, a cd and audio books, with the common title, Red In The Centre. He spends a few months each year in Darwin, during the dry season, working 5 markets per week. After stalking him (Vic said I did anyway!) over a few weekends (She also says I’m craving male conversation!) he did a deal on the 3 books and 2 dvds (the old adage… the more you buy, the more you save.). They are a really good read and I can highly recommend them. Check out his web site at www.monte.com.au and be sure to have a look at the antics he used to get up to while reading the weather for the ABC in Darwin.

Vic and I had intended to visit Litchfield National Park this weekend but there is a murderer on the loose, from NSW, who is accused of beheading his victim. Police believe he is hiding out in the bush somewhere between Berry Springs and the park, so we’ve decided to err on the side of caution and stay around Darwin. Probably end up at the markets again!

Until next week… Happy travels!