Berry Springs and back to Darwin

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

Nightcliff market

Mindl Beach

Darwin an interesting place (for a couple of days)

On our last day at the wonderful wilderness resort Youngmi did the laundry in bore water but despite the warnings next to the machine it did not come out red. Swim in the pool the happy hour and beer and wines are $3 each. We sat on the lovely decking watching the sun setting through the palms drinking beer then white wine. Rlaxed by these we had the salad buffet in the dining room for $15. Great night.

Reluctant to leave we head to Darwin 150kms away. Stop at Adelaide River but we have just missed a jumping croc boat trip.

Near the Stuart Highway we start to see lots of houses as Darwin spreads out. The Highway into Darwin is like a race track. Stop at 5 camp grounds along this main road but none are right. Fish and chip lunch at the Victoria Tavern is a welcome break from looking at campgrounds in the hot sun.

Eventually find Lee Point campground near the sea about 15km from the CBD. Seen better days, no fridge and $35 but lots of space. This like the other campgrounds has lots of long term residents. Beach looks beautiful, blue sea and crocodile warnings.

Drive into Darwin about 5pm. Traffic not too heavy but fast and pushy. Doesn’t suit Dave’s low acceleration and braking style. Mindl Beach but no market. Only Thursday and Sunday. Lots of backpacker vans. People swimming and beach is patrolled. Good of crocs to keep away. Find Mitchell St in Darwin which is the backpacker street. Lively pubs and we have a parma in one. Nice.

A bonus was the crab racing. Two long thin ones were the fastest.

Next day move campgrounds. Causarina shopping centre is nearby and had everything except Hungry Jacks. We bought another camera from big W. The Discovery campground was $45 and a building site. Lots of workers pre fab accommodation and about 30 washing machines. Rough camp kitchen. Decide of the Freestyle resort. $50 but smart and good pool and kitchen. Dave goes shopping in nearby Palmerston while Youngmi chats to Rob. He is from Benalla and his wife is in hospital after breaking her foot in Litchfield. They have been to South America many times having once had an Argentinian exchange student stay with them.

Sad to hear Robin Williams died today. Mrs Doubtfire is on the telly but a big family wants to watch cartoons. Road noise all night from the Stuart Highway.Where are people going as it is 1500kms to the next big town.

Dropped off the car at VW for its service. Shuttle bus into town but not back. Library for newspapers and internet.

Comfy. Dave walks 6km back to the VW garage and collects the car. Meet Youngmi at the lagoon using the 2hr free parking at Kitchener Drive. Swimming in lagoon is good.Seawater , beach, good grass, hot sun. Drive to Doctors Gully for fish feeding but only at High Tide. Fannie Bay and museum looks good but need food. IGA bread, salami and juice and picnic near East Point. Fannie Bay seems the posh part of Darwin.
East Point military remains from 2nd world war when Darwin was bombed by Japs

Most of Darwin and bit rough or industrial or quickly put up. There appear to be jobs here but nowhere good to stay without paying over $100 per night and not much to do in the city. Decide to move on next day. 
Thursday and another day of blue skies and sun and 30degs. Pack up and drive to Casurina shopping centre to get things we might need for next few weeks driving to Perth. Try Doctors Gully again but have missed the high tide and fish feeding. On radio Joe Hockey is explaining why high income people will pay more petrol tax than poorer people-poor people can't afford to drive as much.
Library again for this update and off we go.

Kakadu-crocodiles at Cahill's Crossing high tide--highlight

Crocodiles at High Tide at Cahills Crossing near Ubirr Kakadu

Eating fish and given the chance eating the fishermen