Ourtime 2012: Week 15 : 1 June to 7 June 2012 -- Darwin

It’s now 15 weeks since leaving Brisbane, and we’ve seen and experienced so much that it’s a bit of a senses overload. We’ve learned a lot about this great country, about travelling and caravanning, about living on a budget, and what happens when you break that budget. We’ve met some awesome people and confirmed our belief that most Aussies are more willing to give than to receive, and most of all, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves, and our relationship.

With our 32^nd anniversary just a month away, I’ve never enjoyed my time with Vic more, and am reveling in the opportunity to just be a couple. In saying that though, we are both missing our family and looking forward to seeing them in August when we go home for the birth of our grandson.

Fannie Bay Anti Aircraft Gun Site

After dropping Vic at work on Friday morning I visited the Fannie Bay Anti Aircraft Gun Site, which is on the way home. This was originally part of the East Point Golf Course and, due to it’s northerly position, was one of the first positions to engage the enemy during many of the WWII air raids. In partnership with the American Spitfires, this site was responsible for shooting down 7 of the 11 Japanese bombers, which attacked Darwin over Easter 1942. The site comprised 4 x 3.7 inch guns, a command post, Sergeant’s quarters and instrument pits. Each gun had a low roofed, earthen-floored tin hut, which provided primitive living for the personnel. Health was a concern and smouldering rags in cake tins were used to deter the disease bearing mozzies.

Fish traps were set in the bay to supplement the poor food supply, and on one occasion, the duty fish gatherer was emptying the traps by the light of his lantern, when he stepped over a log. He gave the log a kick to move it out of his way when it reared up… it was an 11ft 6inch croc!

Saturday was a lazy morning after a good sleep in. After baking some cookies, (with no oven in the van, it’s been a while since we’ve done any home baking!) we took Flash for a long walk on the beach. The weather in Darwin, now that the Dry has set in, is absolutely glorious, with days around 28 to 31 degrees and nights around 17 to 22 degrees. The news shows stories of cold temperatures and rain in the southern states, so it’s plain to see why the ‘Nomads’ sit out there winter’s up here.

fresh coconut milk drinks
$2 a coconut

Sunday, Vic and I went to the Rapid Creek Markets that are just a short drive from here. These are a fresh produce market, with heaps of fruit and veg, seafood, meat, flowers and fresh food stalls to keep you occupied for ages. I finally found a really good coffee here as well, so I’m a happy little vegemite!! It’s really interesting to see the different tropical fruits (and veg) that we don’t normally get at home, especially from the little old lady, wielding a hooked cane cutter, who chops the tops off coconuts and puts in a couple of drinking straws… Bingo… fresh coconut milk.

Vic wasn’t marketed out yet so we moved over to the Nightcliff Markets where more art and craft is available. These markets, along with Mindil Beach Markets, are all close to each other so it’s easy to have breakfast, lunch and dinner at a different market on Sundays.

We were home in the afternoon to watch the Broncos whip the Knights 50 – 24.

It’s fair to note that since leaving the Free Spirit last weekend, Vic and I haven’t had any alcohol. I’m not suggesting The Free Spirits were a bad influence, I’m just saying!! ....we did need to dry out a little though.

At the caravan park there is a lady, who does hairdressing, and Vic had used her services while at the park. After work Monday, I took Vic back out there to have a haircut, and I took a caravan magazine to keep myself occupied. As we walked past Phil and Bev’s van, they were having a drink with BJ and Robyn. Phil very kindly offered me a beer which I was glad to accept. I was finishing the second one when Vic got back. Now, I’m not saying the Free Spirits are a bad influence, I’m just saying!!

A word of warning to any ladies considering a perm, as Vic did, before leaving home. Vic made the decision to have one, thinking it would be easier to control while free camping. Typical woman...you know "what am i going to do without a hairdryer every morning!" She wasn’t aware of the chemical reaction that some spring water has on it. As it turns out the swims we had at Mataranka resulted in Vic’s hair turning into a frizz ball nearly overnight. Many attempts to rectify it had failed and she has had to cut off 3 years growth to get anywhere close to normality. She wasn't a happy camper!

Paul & Vic having coffee

On Tuesday, I prepared the caravan for our good friends, Neil and Jan, who were arriving in the NT for a fortnight. Meanwhile, another good friend of ours, Paul, was in Darwin on business, for a couple of days. We took the opportunity to catch up over a coffee and spent a couple of hours with him on Tuesday night. It was really good to see a familiar face and to know that I still have more hair than him!

Wednesday was the day Neil and Jan were to arrive so I did a bit of housework before picking Vic up from work and meeting them at the airport. Their flight was already an hour late when it left Brisbane so we dropped their gear at home and went back into Stoke’s Hill Wharf for a dinner of fish and chips.

Jan & Rod

Neil and Jan had a motorhome booked and after collecting that on Thursday, we came back to Casuarina to get some groceries, before returning home and packing for our planned trip to Kakadu National Park.