Welcome to one monumental update !! due to few reasons
I did the last update a bit earlier in mid May.
We have had limited internet service.
OK but really we have been having way to much fun to be stuck in front of the laptop typing our our adventures.
So where have we been ? Here is a short list of each place ( read on further for the details )
Kings Canyon - West Macdonnell Ranges - Henbury Meteorite craters - Alice Springs ( a few times) - Palm Valley - Barrow Creek - Whycliffe Well - Devils Marbles - Heart Break Hotel - Lorella Springs - Daly Waters - Butterfly Springs - Tomato Island - Mataranka - Edith Falls and finally into Darwin.
We free camped in a secluded place around 30kms in from Kings Canyon with stunning views on our doorstep of the west Macdonnell Ranges. With no neighbours, light or noise it was peaceful and private, well until the dingos started their nightly howling sessions. With a few art requirements for school work we got busy grinding up our own paints from the rich coloured soils all around us, and began art classes. I did my own version of our back drop and Ryan created his dreamtime river of life using only the colours we could make. With all the art work done we sat around the fire for a short while as it was freezing cold outside and forecasts of around 2 - 4 c overnight !! Next day we were up early ready to tackle the Rim Walk around Kings Canyon, we advised the boys it was around 6 - 7 km around the rim - we didn't advise them that the first 1km was almost vertical. We all powered up the climb and were treated to one of the most beautiful scenic places we have been to. The whole canyon from its colours, ancient seabeds, spectacular views and the garden of eden in the centre of the canyon. Simply stunning. We spent a few days here. We had heard the intended track to alice via the Marla Loop was not going to be fun towing the van we opted for an alternate route via the Giles Track, not too bad, a bit rutted and the usual plumes of bull dust trailed behind us and found its way into the van via any way it could. We pulled up at the Henbury Meteorite Craters and explored the short walk around the crater, Ryan and Jarred were looking at every rock and asked if any of them were space rocks ? sadly there are none left but still a pretty cool spot to visit. With the weather being cool and getting colder we made for Alice Springs and rolled into the Big 4 for a week as a base to explore Alice and some more of the West Macdonnell Ranges.
First day out was the Alice Springs Desert Park which was amazing, we arrived just before the bird show at 10am sat down and chatted away with some other tourists ( one of whom lives all of 2 kms away from us in Brisbane ) then the birds put on their show, from owls, to eagles, magpies and Bustards, they all flew with in centimetres of us and walked around our feet, the kids and adults were mesmerised at the trained birds being so close to us all. After the show we wandered around the whole park for the rest of the day admiring all of the wildlife, fauna and flora that was so well displayed and we were treated to a personal indigenous guide for an hour telling great stories of bush tucker and surviavl. The next few days we spent schooling, cleaning, washing and restocking. The Finke desert race was in a few days time and it was great to catch up with my riding mates from Brisbane who were in town for the DEBRA charity ride from Alice to Broome and back. The caravan park was fully booked out for the Finke race itself so we wouldn't be hanging around to watch the main event.
With chores done we took off for a day trip to Palm Valley which was a great 4wd track right into an oasis of palms and water hidden away in what seems the middle of nowhere. We headed back to alice via the camping store to buy ourselves a bigger table to dine around and read out all the school work. With the new table acquired, we had to say goodbye to our old trusty green table and set it off to the camp kitchen with an adoption note applied ( see pic) Mr Table was quickly adopted by a smaller family of 2 and will continue for many more years on different adventures.
With Alice filling up with Finke spectators we packed up and headed west into the Macdonnell ranges and set up at Ellery Creek Big Hole. Another stunning place that was tranquil by the water with wildlife everywhere. The water however was a chilly 18 -20 c and after seeing the german backpackers dive in and out in a matter of seconds we quickly decided that sitting and watching was far better than swimming. We travelled out and explored Ormison gorge which was even more impressive again, just as cold though. Another pit stop we stumbled across were the Ochre Pits, a sacred place were every colour of ochre was all in one vein that curled along the river bed. It was good to see all the signs saying that you cannot take samples of the ochre, but it was saddening to see so many footprints leading up the river bank and so many spots where people were obviously collecting the ochre.
With a few days exploring all done, we made tracks back into alice for a few hours as Ryan had a school project on the Royal Flying Doctor Service and as the museum is in Alice we lept at the perfectly timed opportunity. Ryan was amazed at the plane and all of the old radios that he had been learning all about in his assignment ( we gave him an A+ for this subject ) A few other errands such as washing at the laundromat, haircuts and a bit of fresh food shopping we were ready to hit the road, well almost, as the bottleshops don't open till 2pm in Alice we waited around a little longer to avoid the major price hike at the remote places we were heading to. We stopped along the highway north at an old water well called Ryans well just because it was called Ryans Well, then headed to the Barrow Creek Pub for the night, camped out the back of the pub and headed up for dinner and entertainment. As you can see in the photo they have a sin bin for the bad people :) Inside the walls of the pub were adorned with money and signatures everywhere, Jarred was a little amazed to hold a 25 Billion dollar note which was sadly Zimbabwean dollars and would not even be enough to pay for dinner. Speaking of dinner we all tucked into the famous Bullshit Burgers and they were far better tasting than there name suggests. Up early the next day we travelled at light speed to Wycliffe Well the UFO capital of Australia where we met a couple of little green fellas, they weren't up for much chatting so we headed off to the “Devils Marbles” and we were treated to an amazing cloud formation that seemed to highlight the stunning rock boulders that were scattered everywhere and teetering on top of each other. Another amazing sight of this country of ours. A quick stop in Tennant creek where I ran into another mate, Will S, from Brisbane who was heading down to Finke then we stopped just up the road at the John Flynn Memorial ( John Flynn was the founder of the RFDS ) and another opportunity for Ryan to see things he has been learning about in his school work. On the roads again we overnighted at Daly waters in preparation of going off road for a while. Next day we headed to the Heart Break Hotel at Mount Crawford and the last of bitumen for a while. Quick stop then we hit the dirt, bulldust, rocks and corrugations through Limmon National Park and into Lorella Springs which we had heard so much about and we planned on stopping for a week or so to relax and explore.
After all of the dust and one million bumps we set up quickly and went straight to the thermal springs right outside the campgrounds bar area and sat washing away all of the dust from all of us. The pictures displayed in the homestead showed amazing springs and waterfalls all over the 1 million acre property which extends all the way into the gulf. With these scenes we headed out to explore, however sadly the pictures were from the best seasons and as the previous wet season was one of the driest, all of the springs were empty and all was very dry indeed. We did find Nannys Rest and as a permanent water hole and we swam for a few hours in the cooler springs. We spent a few more days here but with the prices we were paying for no power or water, and the $8 per beer or $13 per bourbon can we decided to move on and explore elsewhere. We headed back out on the dirt roads crossing some picturesque water crossings, dodging water buffalo and cattle, and probably crocodiles. We stopped of at the Lost city for an explore along the way before we headed to a place called Tomato Island. This campground is a fisher mans paradise ( so long as you have a boat ) very busy as it was also a long weekend in the territory and the park was reasonably full. They have a legendary happy hour which saw every person ( around 120) in a circle for a few happy hours. With no boat and the banks not suitable for fishing from due to crocs and brown snakes we would make for Mataranka the next day.
We rolled out and rattled down the corrugated roads again and stopped in at the Roper Bar Store to get some lunch and a little more fuel. We filled up on $20 burgers and $2.20 a litre for diesel ( yes $20 for a burger ) then back to the corrugations and rocks for another 70 kms. With a strange black vision ahead of us the corrugations ended and the bitumen began, 30 kms to Mataranka and the end of the dirt. Sped unto 100kms an hr when we heard a weird sound then looked in the mirror to see the van on a weird angle, Ahhaaa Flat tyre, I pulled up to check it out only to find that the tyre wasn't flat - IT WAS GONE - wheel and all !!. sheared off its wheel studs and then shot off into the never never to never be found ever again !!! I unhooked and Sue took of into Mataranka to get in touch with RACQ and get us towed. An hour or so later we had the van on a tilt tray courtesy of Kaine from Roper River Transport who also run the mechanics workshop in town and we were put into accommodation the the roadhouse. As it was a long weekend we had to wait till Tuesday before the mechanics could restud the hub and put on our spare wheel. So we had 3 full days to explore the area.
We visited the Mataranka Hot Springs first - they were nice and warm, a little murky but still relaxing and very busy, had a great lunch and then back to our temporary accommodation for the afternoon to watch a few dvds and chill out. The room was way smaller then the van and we felt very cramped in so off to the pub we went for dinner and to finish of a long day after the previous one and not much sleep. Next day we went to Bitter springs which was a totally different thermal springs. Crystal clear blue warm waters surrounded by lush green trees. the water was so clear that with snorkelling gear on we could see almost the entire length of the springs. We swam for hours and hours before going back to the confines of the cabin. With the Workshop opening today I was down there at 830am to find them almost finished the wheel and that meant we had our home back and could move further north We hooked up with smiles on our faces ( and no spare wheel ) then went back to Bitter Springs for another swim then headed into Katherine to do a spot of shopping then straight off to Edith Falls for a few days.
Edith Falls campground was great, we had a huge private backyard next to our van with lush green grass all to ourselves, no power or water but we didn't need any, Sue and the kids went down for a swim in the lower falls while I set up and prepared dinner, after dinner Luke and I headed down to listen to one of the travelling nomads who brought out his guitar and amplifier and put on a great show for a few hours entertaining around 100 plus people. Next day went hiked to the upper waterfall and we were treated to a stunning flowing waterfall and waterhole in which we swam for hours again along with a lot of the people. The hike back was a lot hotter in the midday heat as we are now in the top end and the cold nights were way behind us, so we had a bite to eat then back for another swim in the lower pools before a great nights sleep ( except again for the dingos howling away at various times during the night). They were all around us and it sounded like 10 or more of them. Luke confirmed that they were loud and close as he was sleeping out on the lawn in his swag. Next day we decided to barrel up the highway into Darwin to Sue’s Sister place in Fannie Bay. We arrived early afternoon straight into the heat and humidity that Darwin provides, but the pool in the backyard soon provided relief for all of us. With the van parked up under cover and bedrooms for all we moved into the house with Tim, Ceily and the twins Tyler & Harrison. Well Luke didn't ,he decided he would sleep in the van in our bed all to himself.
After catching up and cleaning up the van, car, clothes, etc we headed off to explore Darwin with the kids. We drove up the road and went to the museum which had the Cyclone Tracey exhibit which we had told the kids about along with lots of NT’s stories, wildlife, sealife and boats. A few hours exploring and learning about Darwin we then went off to Aquascene were the fish come in at high tide for a free feed of bread. Thousands of catfish, along with HUGE Milkfish and a few stingrays, sharks, pufferfish and a heap other aquatic species I had no idea of what they were, but there were a lot of them. A few good solid days of schooling, swimming and Xbox playing Sue and I headed off ( child free ) for a night at Mindel Markets wandering and having dinner on our own ( a rare treat ) Next day we headed out to one of our favourite swimming spot in Litchfield NP to a place called Buleys (which we found 4 years ago on a previous trip) we spent hrs swimming and jumping of the rocks into the swimming hole which shared with water lizards and other tourists. We them drove a few kms down the road to Florence Falls, walked the 400 mts down 135 stairs to an oasis with 2 waterfalls flowing into a massive swimming hole thats was teaming with Black freshwater bream and a lot more tourists. We swam again for a while then packed up our bags and towels and headed back up the 135 stairs ( Sue and Luke took the long walk back along the watercourse ) and met us at the car. We took along the road to go and get an ice cream and Wongi Falls before heading back to Darwin along the dirt roads through Berry Springs. A few kms down the road Luke casually announced that we have a “SNAKE” in the back of the car !!!! I found a place to pull over and everyone evacuated the car rapidly while I started the search. I pulled out the towels and shoes one by one when I could suddenly see the snakes head looking at me from under the backseat I chased it around the car for a little bit trying to coax it to slide out the open doors, it moved to the front seat where I could finally flick it out onto the grass. Now this snake was not a 2 metre long people killer, rather it was a 10- 15 cm water python ( Phew ) he must have climbed into to our bag at Florence Falls. With our stowaway removed we headed back to Fannie bay. Next day we caught up with Kaine, Kylie, Sophie and Luke whom we met way back in Muldura on the banks of the Murray river at Easter Time. We wandered down the street to the Darwin Sailing club for lunch and a few beers along with the kids exploring the low tide chasing hermit crabs and having races with them, back for a quick swim and chat before they headed off to watch the sunset at Mindel markets.
We plan on catching up again soon and doing a spot of barra fishing before returning to the fireworks spectacular that Darwin puts on for Territory Day - But all of that you will have to wait for our next update.
I did the last update a bit earlier in mid May.
We have had limited internet service.
OK but really we have been having way to much fun to be stuck in front of the laptop typing our our adventures.
So where have we been ? Here is a short list of each place ( read on further for the details )
Kings Canyon - West Macdonnell Ranges - Henbury Meteorite craters - Alice Springs ( a few times) - Palm Valley - Barrow Creek - Whycliffe Well - Devils Marbles - Heart Break Hotel - Lorella Springs - Daly Waters - Butterfly Springs - Tomato Island - Mataranka - Edith Falls and finally into Darwin.
We free camped in a secluded place around 30kms in from Kings Canyon with stunning views on our doorstep of the west Macdonnell Ranges. With no neighbours, light or noise it was peaceful and private, well until the dingos started their nightly howling sessions. With a few art requirements for school work we got busy grinding up our own paints from the rich coloured soils all around us, and began art classes. I did my own version of our back drop and Ryan created his dreamtime river of life using only the colours we could make. With all the art work done we sat around the fire for a short while as it was freezing cold outside and forecasts of around 2 - 4 c overnight !! Next day we were up early ready to tackle the Rim Walk around Kings Canyon, we advised the boys it was around 6 - 7 km around the rim - we didn't advise them that the first 1km was almost vertical. We all powered up the climb and were treated to one of the most beautiful scenic places we have been to. The whole canyon from its colours, ancient seabeds, spectacular views and the garden of eden in the centre of the canyon. Simply stunning. We spent a few days here. We had heard the intended track to alice via the Marla Loop was not going to be fun towing the van we opted for an alternate route via the Giles Track, not too bad, a bit rutted and the usual plumes of bull dust trailed behind us and found its way into the van via any way it could. We pulled up at the Henbury Meteorite Craters and explored the short walk around the crater, Ryan and Jarred were looking at every rock and asked if any of them were space rocks ? sadly there are none left but still a pretty cool spot to visit. With the weather being cool and getting colder we made for Alice Springs and rolled into the Big 4 for a week as a base to explore Alice and some more of the West Macdonnell Ranges.
First day out was the Alice Springs Desert Park which was amazing, we arrived just before the bird show at 10am sat down and chatted away with some other tourists ( one of whom lives all of 2 kms away from us in Brisbane ) then the birds put on their show, from owls, to eagles, magpies and Bustards, they all flew with in centimetres of us and walked around our feet, the kids and adults were mesmerised at the trained birds being so close to us all. After the show we wandered around the whole park for the rest of the day admiring all of the wildlife, fauna and flora that was so well displayed and we were treated to a personal indigenous guide for an hour telling great stories of bush tucker and surviavl. The next few days we spent schooling, cleaning, washing and restocking. The Finke desert race was in a few days time and it was great to catch up with my riding mates from Brisbane who were in town for the DEBRA charity ride from Alice to Broome and back. The caravan park was fully booked out for the Finke race itself so we wouldn't be hanging around to watch the main event.
With chores done we took off for a day trip to Palm Valley which was a great 4wd track right into an oasis of palms and water hidden away in what seems the middle of nowhere. We headed back to alice via the camping store to buy ourselves a bigger table to dine around and read out all the school work. With the new table acquired, we had to say goodbye to our old trusty green table and set it off to the camp kitchen with an adoption note applied ( see pic) Mr Table was quickly adopted by a smaller family of 2 and will continue for many more years on different adventures.
With Alice filling up with Finke spectators we packed up and headed west into the Macdonnell ranges and set up at Ellery Creek Big Hole. Another stunning place that was tranquil by the water with wildlife everywhere. The water however was a chilly 18 -20 c and after seeing the german backpackers dive in and out in a matter of seconds we quickly decided that sitting and watching was far better than swimming. We travelled out and explored Ormison gorge which was even more impressive again, just as cold though. Another pit stop we stumbled across were the Ochre Pits, a sacred place were every colour of ochre was all in one vein that curled along the river bed. It was good to see all the signs saying that you cannot take samples of the ochre, but it was saddening to see so many footprints leading up the river bank and so many spots where people were obviously collecting the ochre.
With a few days exploring all done, we made tracks back into alice for a few hours as Ryan had a school project on the Royal Flying Doctor Service and as the museum is in Alice we lept at the perfectly timed opportunity. Ryan was amazed at the plane and all of the old radios that he had been learning all about in his assignment ( we gave him an A+ for this subject ) A few other errands such as washing at the laundromat, haircuts and a bit of fresh food shopping we were ready to hit the road, well almost, as the bottleshops don't open till 2pm in Alice we waited around a little longer to avoid the major price hike at the remote places we were heading to. We stopped along the highway north at an old water well called Ryans well just because it was called Ryans Well, then headed to the Barrow Creek Pub for the night, camped out the back of the pub and headed up for dinner and entertainment. As you can see in the photo they have a sin bin for the bad people :) Inside the walls of the pub were adorned with money and signatures everywhere, Jarred was a little amazed to hold a 25 Billion dollar note which was sadly Zimbabwean dollars and would not even be enough to pay for dinner. Speaking of dinner we all tucked into the famous Bullshit Burgers and they were far better tasting than there name suggests. Up early the next day we travelled at light speed to Wycliffe Well the UFO capital of Australia where we met a couple of little green fellas, they weren't up for much chatting so we headed off to the “Devils Marbles” and we were treated to an amazing cloud formation that seemed to highlight the stunning rock boulders that were scattered everywhere and teetering on top of each other. Another amazing sight of this country of ours. A quick stop in Tennant creek where I ran into another mate, Will S, from Brisbane who was heading down to Finke then we stopped just up the road at the John Flynn Memorial ( John Flynn was the founder of the RFDS ) and another opportunity for Ryan to see things he has been learning about in his school work. On the roads again we overnighted at Daly waters in preparation of going off road for a while. Next day we headed to the Heart Break Hotel at Mount Crawford and the last of bitumen for a while. Quick stop then we hit the dirt, bulldust, rocks and corrugations through Limmon National Park and into Lorella Springs which we had heard so much about and we planned on stopping for a week or so to relax and explore.
After all of the dust and one million bumps we set up quickly and went straight to the thermal springs right outside the campgrounds bar area and sat washing away all of the dust from all of us. The pictures displayed in the homestead showed amazing springs and waterfalls all over the 1 million acre property which extends all the way into the gulf. With these scenes we headed out to explore, however sadly the pictures were from the best seasons and as the previous wet season was one of the driest, all of the springs were empty and all was very dry indeed. We did find Nannys Rest and as a permanent water hole and we swam for a few hours in the cooler springs. We spent a few more days here but with the prices we were paying for no power or water, and the $8 per beer or $13 per bourbon can we decided to move on and explore elsewhere. We headed back out on the dirt roads crossing some picturesque water crossings, dodging water buffalo and cattle, and probably crocodiles. We stopped of at the Lost city for an explore along the way before we headed to a place called Tomato Island. This campground is a fisher mans paradise ( so long as you have a boat ) very busy as it was also a long weekend in the territory and the park was reasonably full. They have a legendary happy hour which saw every person ( around 120) in a circle for a few happy hours. With no boat and the banks not suitable for fishing from due to crocs and brown snakes we would make for Mataranka the next day.
We rolled out and rattled down the corrugated roads again and stopped in at the Roper Bar Store to get some lunch and a little more fuel. We filled up on $20 burgers and $2.20 a litre for diesel ( yes $20 for a burger ) then back to the corrugations and rocks for another 70 kms. With a strange black vision ahead of us the corrugations ended and the bitumen began, 30 kms to Mataranka and the end of the dirt. Sped unto 100kms an hr when we heard a weird sound then looked in the mirror to see the van on a weird angle, Ahhaaa Flat tyre, I pulled up to check it out only to find that the tyre wasn't flat - IT WAS GONE - wheel and all !!. sheared off its wheel studs and then shot off into the never never to never be found ever again !!! I unhooked and Sue took of into Mataranka to get in touch with RACQ and get us towed. An hour or so later we had the van on a tilt tray courtesy of Kaine from Roper River Transport who also run the mechanics workshop in town and we were put into accommodation the the roadhouse. As it was a long weekend we had to wait till Tuesday before the mechanics could restud the hub and put on our spare wheel. So we had 3 full days to explore the area.
We visited the Mataranka Hot Springs first - they were nice and warm, a little murky but still relaxing and very busy, had a great lunch and then back to our temporary accommodation for the afternoon to watch a few dvds and chill out. The room was way smaller then the van and we felt very cramped in so off to the pub we went for dinner and to finish of a long day after the previous one and not much sleep. Next day we went to Bitter springs which was a totally different thermal springs. Crystal clear blue warm waters surrounded by lush green trees. the water was so clear that with snorkelling gear on we could see almost the entire length of the springs. We swam for hours and hours before going back to the confines of the cabin. With the Workshop opening today I was down there at 830am to find them almost finished the wheel and that meant we had our home back and could move further north We hooked up with smiles on our faces ( and no spare wheel ) then went back to Bitter Springs for another swim then headed into Katherine to do a spot of shopping then straight off to Edith Falls for a few days.
Edith Falls campground was great, we had a huge private backyard next to our van with lush green grass all to ourselves, no power or water but we didn't need any, Sue and the kids went down for a swim in the lower falls while I set up and prepared dinner, after dinner Luke and I headed down to listen to one of the travelling nomads who brought out his guitar and amplifier and put on a great show for a few hours entertaining around 100 plus people. Next day went hiked to the upper waterfall and we were treated to a stunning flowing waterfall and waterhole in which we swam for hours again along with a lot of the people. The hike back was a lot hotter in the midday heat as we are now in the top end and the cold nights were way behind us, so we had a bite to eat then back for another swim in the lower pools before a great nights sleep ( except again for the dingos howling away at various times during the night). They were all around us and it sounded like 10 or more of them. Luke confirmed that they were loud and close as he was sleeping out on the lawn in his swag. Next day we decided to barrel up the highway into Darwin to Sue’s Sister place in Fannie Bay. We arrived early afternoon straight into the heat and humidity that Darwin provides, but the pool in the backyard soon provided relief for all of us. With the van parked up under cover and bedrooms for all we moved into the house with Tim, Ceily and the twins Tyler & Harrison. Well Luke didn't ,he decided he would sleep in the van in our bed all to himself.
After catching up and cleaning up the van, car, clothes, etc we headed off to explore Darwin with the kids. We drove up the road and went to the museum which had the Cyclone Tracey exhibit which we had told the kids about along with lots of NT’s stories, wildlife, sealife and boats. A few hours exploring and learning about Darwin we then went off to Aquascene were the fish come in at high tide for a free feed of bread. Thousands of catfish, along with HUGE Milkfish and a few stingrays, sharks, pufferfish and a heap other aquatic species I had no idea of what they were, but there were a lot of them. A few good solid days of schooling, swimming and Xbox playing Sue and I headed off ( child free ) for a night at Mindel Markets wandering and having dinner on our own ( a rare treat ) Next day we headed out to one of our favourite swimming spot in Litchfield NP to a place called Buleys (which we found 4 years ago on a previous trip) we spent hrs swimming and jumping of the rocks into the swimming hole which shared with water lizards and other tourists. We them drove a few kms down the road to Florence Falls, walked the 400 mts down 135 stairs to an oasis with 2 waterfalls flowing into a massive swimming hole thats was teaming with Black freshwater bream and a lot more tourists. We swam again for a while then packed up our bags and towels and headed back up the 135 stairs ( Sue and Luke took the long walk back along the watercourse ) and met us at the car. We took along the road to go and get an ice cream and Wongi Falls before heading back to Darwin along the dirt roads through Berry Springs. A few kms down the road Luke casually announced that we have a “SNAKE” in the back of the car !!!! I found a place to pull over and everyone evacuated the car rapidly while I started the search. I pulled out the towels and shoes one by one when I could suddenly see the snakes head looking at me from under the backseat I chased it around the car for a little bit trying to coax it to slide out the open doors, it moved to the front seat where I could finally flick it out onto the grass. Now this snake was not a 2 metre long people killer, rather it was a 10- 15 cm water python ( Phew ) he must have climbed into to our bag at Florence Falls. With our stowaway removed we headed back to Fannie bay. Next day we caught up with Kaine, Kylie, Sophie and Luke whom we met way back in Muldura on the banks of the Murray river at Easter Time. We wandered down the street to the Darwin Sailing club for lunch and a few beers along with the kids exploring the low tide chasing hermit crabs and having races with them, back for a quick swim and chat before they headed off to watch the sunset at Mindel markets.
We plan on catching up again soon and doing a spot of barra fishing before returning to the fireworks spectacular that Darwin puts on for Territory Day - But all of that you will have to wait for our next update.