Old Update #18-Darwin #1 4/06/08 - 13/06/08

We were basically in Darwin to do some essential stuff before heading West.

For example -

New rear tyres for the Prado (we ended up remounting the brand-new spares from the Van),

Caravan wheel bearings needed removing and re-packing to maintain warrantee.

Few meetings & F.S.

Post to collect.

Air-con on the van was not working. Needed that to be fixed under warrantee.

Heidi had lived here in the mid 70's (after Cyclone Tracey)with her family - and she was keen to check their old places out.

We had been fairly busy over the last few weeks and had covered a fair bit of ground. So we were all looking forward to 'staying put' for a couple of weeks.

This is where we camped for a couple of weeks. Busy season up here. Some of the caravan parks were wanting $59 & $61/NIGHT for us (2 kids bump it up) Some others were less but still expensive. We tracked down the local 'Polo-crosse' ground (AKA "Robby Robins Reserve"). Just $20/night. Still nice showers and loo. and overlooking acres of the polocrosse fields. Only downer - right on the main road. There were lots of kids for our kids to be with. And everyone could see where their kids were !
Big saving being here - nothing but the best for the 'Longies'.
First place the Hirmke's lived.

Same from the rear.

We're fairly sure this is the 2nd house that the Hirmke's lived.

No big fancy pancy pergola and pool back then though ay Fred?
Site of Alfie's old work.('Pop-in Snack Bar') mmmmm Lovely Alfi !!!

Chris Bath's cousin , Derryl, lives in Darwin and is married to great bloke named Dave. He took James and I fishing a couple of times. Thanks again Dave ! !

7/6/08 -Dave on the Left. Andrew North - local Cong - on the right (you may have noticed him on the Kalumburu Witnessing trip)

Ian and Karen King (used to be in Surfers Cong with us a few years ago) - they are now in Berrimah (A & I) cong here in Darwin. THIS IS WHERE WE LEARNED ABOUT THE REMOTE AREA WITNESSING TRIPS including the one that we ending up being included on. (East Kimberley)

This is the sign that got us interested. LOOK at the other dates. WE ARE SO IMPRESSED with the work and effort that goes on up here !

08/06/08 Sun - After the meeting - Footy on the beach at Sundown with the local A & I cong.
09/06/08 Dave took us fishing again. This is Derryl's son-in-law - also "Rob"

Here's the other Rob's son - "Liam" - nice fish Bud !

James' contribution to the day - a little 'Fingermark' from memory.

And Rob to the rescue with the Best of the Day.

11/06/08 Dinner at Darwin Wharf - Crocodile Burger. Tastes just like Chicken -Save your' money and just have the chicken.

Here's Dave and Derryl - very hospitable. Dave just LOVES having his photo taken. Heidi had some great times out witnessing with Derryl.

and here's the rest of the clan....

12/06/08 Mindle Beach Markets. These markets are a real 'big' thing in Darwin. 100's of people eating on the grass overlooking Sundown over the water, as well as a very busy market place. Very nice.

13/06/08 Ummm.. yeah that's pretty flat. Got to Beaurepaires just in time - didn't have to take the wheel off. AND... GET THIS - because we were patient - NO CHARGE ! ! !. Uh-huh !! - NO Charge !

Old Update #17 - Kakadu 29/05 - 03/06/08

We weren't gonna bother with Kakadu initially. But - why not?

The main park we wanted to visit up this way was Litchfield Nat Park - South-West of Darwin. And a few of it's attractions were not open yet (delay after each wet season). So - spending a few days in Kakadu on the way to Darwin would 'up' our chances of them being open.

Kakadu is on the South-East of Darwin.

We drove in on the Southern Arm to the point at Jabiru (and Ubirr where you overlook the mysterious "Arnhem Land"), and drove out on the North Arm (Arnhem Hwy) through 'Humpty Doo' and into Darwin.

Here's James next to an average ROAD TRAIN. Nearly 60 mtrs long and weighing a couple of Gazilion Tonne - they make a formidable sight on the roads. The Petrol Tankers have them with another 1/2. Almost 4 trailers. Basically a B-Double with an extra 2 full-size trailers. I suppose a 'B-Quad'???

Gunlom Falls

The best spot we visited here was 'Gunlom Falls' -an awesome few nights camping here.

Off the main highway - 36-ish km's each way of fairly rough and corrugated dirt roads.

Dust all through the van - yuck - must sort that problem out before the Gibb River Rd.

Gunlom is a tall waterfall with these INCREDIBLE (almost rectangular) swimming holes at the top. And from one point you can look DOWN the waterfall.

It's a steep 3/4hr walk to the top of the falls. We did it two days in a row because we enjoyed it so much on our 1st visit.

This is at the bottom of the falls. We swam anyway. Like most other people - just ask around for local knowledge. Aboriginal guides are great.

'Gunlom Falls' -not much water at this time of year.

Getting ready to cook on the fire. We are always so proud of our fires. Sorry about our dress-mode.

Our camp at Gunlom. Washing time again. Just a 'bucket job'.

Thanks Kids for all your' hard work again.
These are only SOME of the pools at the top of the falls.

Not overcrowded either ay?????

Standing ALMOST on the edge - looking down at the lake.

Same-same but different

Same-same but different.

How's this for a 'Wet-edge' pool?

And this?

I don't know a guy ON EARTH who doesn't like jumping from a waterfall ! !

Or - holding his GIRL underneath one !

Ooops.

Aaawwww.

Sometimes.. I'm SO photogenic !

I have NO IDEA why I'm so serious?? - Maybe I'm worried about my GUTS hanging over the back-pack belt???

Aaaahhh - nothing like BURNING your food on a fire.

This is just after 70km's. Goodness knows what a 1,000km of dirt will do later on.

Same question.

I think they have a little TERMITE problem here. They're not the ones that eat houses - apparently.

Aboriginal Art .mmmmmmmmmm. We had a real tough time explaining this (anatomically) to the kids.

Ubirr outlook. (I LOVE this place. Basically because of it's pronunciation = "You-BEER" Aaahhhh...beer. I love beer.

Great spot for a sunset here - overlooking wetlands and the Arnhem Escarpment.

How do I explain this?

We later found out that the local 'Traditional Owners' don't want people to have a drink in this spot. Some sacred bizzo again.

GREAT SUNSET

Still nice

OK - so NOW the signs are getting serious.

These wet-lands are teeming with life !

Including birds.

We were glad to have had our few days in Kakadu - despite nearly being CARRIED AWAY by mozzies at the campground at UBIRR.

Off to Darwin now......