Life in Darwin.

The Oasis Caravan Park in Howard Springs was not very full when we arrived. After a few days, we were moved to a large site against the back fence. Heaps of room. We'll be able to stay there until October, then this part of the park is liable to flood in the wet.

The first week we were in Darwin corresponded to the opening of the Mindal Beach markets for the dry season. It starts at 5pm and runs until 10pm. There were heaps of food stalls, and about as many market stalls. It seemed like every second stall was selling jewelry. It was not a market to find a bargain! We were able to get there early, so we had a reasonably good chance to look around, but then the crowds started to flood in. Many set up camp on the beach to watch the sunset. The food stalls were doing a great trade, and it seemed most people had come for the food and a night out. We had intended to wait for the fireworks, but when we found they were at nine, we decided to leave. There were so many people now, it was a very slow crush to get out. It was an interesting night.

On the first weekend, we made an effort to find a folding clothesline for Lyn and a portable sullage tank to empty our waste.

We had no real trouble with the clothes line. The portable sullage tank was another thing though. We ended up ordering one from an internet business in NSW, and hope it gets here before our toilet tank overflows.

Lyn soon had the clothes line working just behind our van so it was not in direct sight of all, but she could watch it out our windows. The temperature gets to 33 degrees every day. No need to check the forecast. It's always the same, so the clothes dry quite well.

We took a trip to the Howard Springs nature reserve which is quite close by.

The springs themselves were used as a reserve water supply for Darwin during the war. The yanks built them into a R & R area, with swimming pools for the troops.

The area is just a real tropical paradise. Nice and cool under the large greenery, with the water making it perfect.

Today, the main pool is home to some very large barramundi fish, who just laze around. The picture is of one over three foot long, and just before I took this picture he had swum very close and just yawned. Mouth open wide, and gills full out. Just so tired with all that swimming around.

We have been into Darwin a few times, but it is quite hard for parking. Even on Sunday, it seems busy. The streets are infested with parking meters, and small bays, so we haven't seen much there at all. The city does not make much room for trucks.

We were able to stop and have a look around the esplanade and look out over the water. Again, the tropical water is so lovely.

Sunday. 4/5/2008

Late in the afternoon, we went into the city. Drove around the new Convention Center where I had been working.

We drove out on Stokers Hill wharf and had a look around the shops there. It was very pleasant over the water. Boat tours departed from there, and were cruising around the wharf.

We decided to have tea there, and both had fish and chips. The serves were very generous. In fact next time we will only need one plate and two sets cutlery.

The sunset held great promise. We waited on the esplanade cliffs for the sun to dip below the horizon. As it did, we expected a glorious orange sky, as in Broome, but it went out with just a fizzle.

Tuesday. 6/5/2008

15.9 degrees was the freezing outside temperature we woke up to. Luckily we had put the quilt on the bed last night so we were not too cold. As the sun rose, the temperature climbed quite quickly.

Went to see Shaw Transport this morning about a job and got quite a good reception. Went away to fill out all the paperwork they needed, and took it straight back. Was told to call at four, and when I did was told I could start on Thursday. Got to go in tomorrow for an introduction to the business.

Friday. 9/5/2008

I'm now working for Shaws Darwin Transport as a local delivery driver. One of our park neighbors, Graham, steered me toward this job. I was reluctant because I have no experience with large trucks and forklifts, but the boss was willing to give me a go, and everyone in the depot has been helpful. This was my second day, and it has been going quite well. The boss had originally said they would not throw me in the really big trucks at the start, but my first solo delivery was in one of the biggest trucks they had that my licence let me drive. It was tough, but worked out well and has given me the confidence to tackle whatever comes.

After work, we got cleaned up and went with Graham and Colleene to have a look at the Palmerston markets that had just restarted for the dry season. I had not expected it to be much, but it turned out to be the best market we have been to up here so far. There were a good variety of stalls. The produce stalls were a bit disappointing as they mainly had asian vegetables, but the food stalls were good. We had Indian currys and sweet dumplings for tea. It was a good evening at the market, and we will certainly do it again.

After the market, we went for a drive looking at various sites around Darwin. Went to the wharf area and finally saw the large "moon fish" that swim around eating chips that are thrown to them. There were lights trained on the water so you could see them. They were quite large, and very pretty to watch. Well worth the visit.

It was a very good night out.

Sunday. 11/5/2008

Spotted this bit of fence art on a back road in Howard Springs.

Wednesday. 14/5/2008

The social club at Shaws had arranged an evening sunset harbour cruise on a small catamaran. I had put our names down, as had Graham and Colleen, so we were keen to get away from work early enough to get changed and get into the wharf by 5.30. We all made it in time, and found the right boat.

Lyn had not been on a small boat before, and was a bit hesitant, but once she was on board, quite quickly found her sea legs and was able to get around the boat like an expert.

We sailed off into the harbour, and around towards the Cullen Bay area. Unfortunately it was still quite cloudy, so the sunset was just average, but the trip itself was great. So close to the city and lights, yet it all seemed so far away. As it got dark, we could see the glows from the fires still burning out in the bush. The boat was big enough for all, yet small enough to enjoy the water close up.

Large seafood platters were supplied, and well as nibbles and drinks. It was a really good evening all round, and we went home happy and tired.

Sunday. 18/5/2008

Finally we have set up the awning here. Our site has no shade, so we decided to try leaving it up to see how it goes.

Sunday. 25/5/2008

We set of early to the Berry Springs Market. There was not too much there today, so we went a bit further down the road to see the Darwin dam. It was a huge volume of water and made it obvious why water is not a problem up here. It was quite strange at first to see lawns and gardens being watered. Footpaths watered by the council. And being told by the van park to water around our site every few days. This just would not happen down south

After we drove out of the dam area, we decided to just keep going down the road and see what we found.

Well we found the tallest termite mound I have seen so far. There was also a couple of 'magnetic' mounds there too.

I find the different styles, colours and shapes of the termite mounds really interesting. Even the small ones look cute.

The road went on for ages. Passing through an aboriginal settlement, and ending in Mandorah, a small settlement on the Cox Peninsular opposite Darwin city. There is a good jetty there for the ferries.

This is looking back from the jetty.

And here is Darwin itself, in the distance, across the water.

In the afternoon, we went to the Adelaide River Bridge on the road to Jabiru, and went on the Adelaide River Queen, jumping crocodile tour. It was $25 a head for a bit over an hour's cruise.