Before leaving we visited the centre again for the library
and a swim at the waterfront. Heading south we turned to Berry springs and
after 20kms found the Tumbling Waters campground. Real nice and peaceful. Crocs in one area and a camp kitchen.
Everyone very nice. Our neighbours a young couple from Queensland were fishing
their way around Oz. Another guy Sep, short for Joseph was a retired public
servant from Canberra who had once had a secondment to Blackpool.
Friday drove 65kms along the Cox Peninsula Rd to the ferry
jetty for Darwin. Lots of palm trees, giant termite mounds and one Aboriginal
community that looked very neat. The pub near the jetty had closed, one guy was
fishing and had caught a barracuda,there were a few houses and that was it.Back
to the campground and then to Berry Springs which was beautiful. Warm blue
water for swimming and not many people. Friday night was quiz night at the
campground and happy hour. Glass of wine in the lovely garden lit by torches
then our team won.
Cool at night, windy at times and red hot in the day. Sat we drove back to Darwin stopping at Palmerston Hungry Jacks for an omelette muffin and coffee, Dave’s favourite. Used the internet and read more on Joe Hockey’s poor people don’t drive story. Then to the airfield for a look at the planes connected with the ongoing Pitch Black exercise. Good freebies, great planes but no flying. Met Henry and Marie ih the 1km queue for the buses back to the car park. Arrange to meet them at Tumbling Waters as they have been unable to find a good campsite in Darwin.
Drive on to Bagot for an aboriginal part of the Darwin Festival. Bagot turns out to be a community where aborigines were forced to live for many years. Darwin has grown around it and the weekend is to help break down the barriers between black and white. We are lucky to be able to join the walking neighbourhood where local kids take you around the area. The kids are full of fun. On the walk meet Owen a guy from Melbourne who has just finished a degree at Melbourne Uni in criminology. He has cerebal palsy and has a real fancy wheelchair to get around that he controls with his chin. One of the local kids asks if he has broken his arms. Chat to him more at the community house over a cup of tea. As we are leaving we are invited to join three aboriginal guys for a chat under a tree. Great afternoon.
Back at the campground there is a deckchair cinema with a new Walter Mitty film being shown. Good film for the campground and the quality is excellent. Looking up there are hundres of stars to be seen.Yellowtail shiraz complements this but no sign of Henry and Marie. Bit noisy Sat night as lots of people have come from Darwin.
The action continues Sun morning as some of the crocs are out of the water sunning themselves. There is also an albino python on show. Youngmi manages to touch a snake for the first time and is impressed. The snake lady says to wear boots and thick trousers, jeans, in snake country. If you are bitten wrap the bandage away from the heart so as not to push the poison heart wards. Keep foot down and move as little as possible
Back to Darwin for the last time. At Hungry Jacks our phone works and we call Marie. They were at the campground but didn’t make the film. Hopefully we will meet in Litchfield.Drive past Rapid Creek market and stop at Nightcliff market which is very pleasant. Health check stall is Dave’s favourite but he is told he is overweight at 74kgs. 68 would be better. No more Hungry Jacks. Beach and sea at Nightcliff are gorgeous but too many killers in the sea for even a paddle. Museum and Art gallery and are good and cool. It seems red hot today as there is no wind. Mindl Beach market is finally open but not too exciting.
On the drive back there is a big scrub fire and helicopters water bombing it. Another swim at Berry Springs this time with goggles. Lots of big fish in the pools. Archer fish and grunter. Pasta for tea and all is peaceful again
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