A casual start this morning with most moving off at their leisure, with our target being Darwin. Tony as usual was out of the blocks at 8.00am. We stopped in to see more termite mounds – the cathedral type and the magnetic type. We stopped at the Bachelor General Store [apart from Caravan Parks the only store in town] for morning coffee only to meet up with Peter C and Jill P ahead of us, and then Peter & Susan D, John & Lanlan, Norbert & Jill M who were behind us. Peter C was anxious to get to Darwin, as Maire {sounds like Moira} was joining him for our stay in Darwin.
Dot & Michael arrived in Darwin after Midday and had to kill some time to check in at 2.00pm as advised by the park. Upon arrival we found that a number of the party had not bothered with the 2.00pm check-in and had been admitted upon their arrival well before 2.00pm.
The Free Spirit Caravan park is very large and well established with mature palms throughout the complex. Cabins were comfortable with air conditioning, however the beds were on casters and when sat upon tended to move around the room. The facilities includes three swimming pools, with the main one being adjacent to the meals & bar area. We used the latter areas on a regular evening basis with meal specials and drinks being very reasonable. Wine glasses were overflowing when provided.
The first priority with most was to tend to either professional or DIY servicing/repairs & cleaning of motor vehicles. The only vehicles not to receive a wash was Norbert & Jill M. and Peter & Susan D…they regard the red dust as a badge of honour.
During our stay, most tended to do their own thing during the day. Thursday Dot & Michael went into the city for a look around and check up on location of Toyota for service booked for Friday morning. Dot was enthralled by the Paspaly Pearl shop, but taken back by the Crocodile products shop – $70.00 for a lipstick holder, $700.00 for a wallet, $2700.00 for handbags and so on.
A number of our party went to Mindil Beach market on the Thursday evening, whilst Tony P & Jenny, John & Lanlan, Dean, Dot & Michael were taken to Tim’s Restaurant by Brett & Phong Prowse [son & daughter-in-law]. We had a great evening with a French waiter entertaining & intriguing us with magic tricks.
Friday breakfast in the City for Dot & Michael after dropping dented Prado for service. Bumped into a number of our party wandering around the city and had ice coffee for morning tea. Very pleasant sitting in the mall under cover watching the world go by at a warm 32 degrees……though the locals regard this as cold. Hat hunting was an objective a some of the ladies, to ensure they had good cover for the days ahead up north. Got the good “oil” on fishing gear and had the line on our reels upgrade to braided 30lb line and 40lb leader.
Friday evening, most of us went to the Palmerston Asian market for tea – range of vendor’s providing an array of fruit & vegetables, cooked Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese & Thai meals. The Fruit smoothies vendors were very popular - the mango smoothie was great. Those that went to Mindil Beach market last night, commented that many of the vendors were the same. We ate on the lawn with entertainment in front of us. Michael took advantage of the massage vendors and had a Thai massage for his neck/shoulder. Upon dusk the trees surrounding lawn area were invaded by screeching lorikeets.
Saturday, Dot & Michael into the city again and to another suburban market… this time saw wallets & purses made from barramundi skin – very strong & durable. Drove around the coast area and came across junior cricket in full swing. According to local paper, their second last round is underway this weekend. Visited the Stokes wharf area – site of initial bombing raids in World War 11, passed underground storage tunnels for oil used during WW11. Plaques follow the footpath, acknowledging the participants in Darwin during WW11. Many other WW11 history and museums were visited by our party members.
Sunday was supplies shopping day along with repacking/refuelling the cars…everyone seems to have more than when they started 3 weeks ago. Tony P & Jenny, Dean, Dot and Michael went to Brett & Phong’s home for a Vietnamese style lunch….very nice.
Dean has been very busy steam cleaning the vehicle and vanilla essencing his fridge and contents in readiness for picking in Karen, who arrives at 6.00pm this evening. Tony advises that he has had a number of dry runs to the airport to get the timing right for Karen’s arrival.
LINK TO STATISTICS: A link within the blog is available to provide you with an overview of mechanical and other matters encountered by our party.
NOTE: With our relocation to the Cobourg Peninsular, we are likely to be out of range of Telecom to enable update of the Blog, so please bear with us.
I love you Nanna and Pa, but it's good that you have gone on a trip so that we can have a special visitor go to swimming. I have seen a lot of antipodoia and pink butterflies, i love the sky because some clouds look like Daisy and you. I love it more than ever because we get to read your blog now as a bedtime story.
ReplyDeleteBelle xox