Cairns...June trip

Well we don’t get to visit Cairns often enough, and it is noticeable now as Ayla is almost 7 months old and is growing so quickly, and we are well aware of the time missed between visits.  We had great warm weather, high 20’s and about 17 overnight. Not looking forward to being back in cold Finley.

There is so much to cramb into a visit,  cuddles with Ayla, chats, chillin’ and movie nights with Sara and Craig, walk/runs with Lucy, catchups with friends, Sara’s big 30 party..  This visit also was timed well as we were able to spend time with Lindsey, (Derek’s sister), who is 17 months into her Big Lap of Australia had come across from Northern Territory and was in far North Qld.

Ayla did have lots of fun really....

Enjoying looking at recipes....yumm. Food

For some reason it was my fault Lucy rubbed her neck into something smelly......so I had to bath her

Just as well Craig lives close to the shops,  we bought more than we could carry, so brought trolly home to

Some crazy lazy taking trolly back for us...... Haa haa...it is Lindsey

Great lunch with my cousins Kath and Dave,  new street art on Esplanade.  Walking off lunch at Mondos

If it fits, I sits .......Lucy’s new mantra.....this became her nightly resting spot between Derek and I

Seriously? #12

There are many interesting things we come across during our travels,  but some include people who just make us stop and think “Seriously?”

............ or are we just easily amused?

Darwin flight to Cairns,   Have I been using them the wrong way all this time...........

And slippers on the Christchurch to Melbourne flight

Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk NP

Sunrise, cruise down the gorge, all before breakfast. Drive back to Darwin, then dinner with a side of sunset at the Trailer Boat Club

Hard to limit this to just a few photos.

Drive to the gorge,  28km

Gorge checked for Saltwater Crocs, ( yes, this far inland ), and now first day opened after the wet season.

First section always closed to public for swimming etc.  We did first two sections of six sections.

Changed boats for second section

Walked 400m to get on second boat

Sunset over Darwin Harbour.....magical......end to a beautiful day in the Northern Territory.

L

Katherine NT

Katherine is 3 1/2 hours south of Darwin.

We spent a great afternoon walking around the town of Katherine, had a short visit to the museum, including the old Overland Telegraph office which is the reason why Katherine came to be. Learnt a lot about its history and why the town moved 3 times.

the old rail bridge, and found the new rail station where the Ghan now comes through, 

paddled in their Hotsprings, the source of the Hot Spring

Only 32 degrees C

Interesting roots

We think we found a pet cemetery.....but that doesn’t explain the toilet though.....maybe a goldfish resting place

Worst geocache hunt we have ever had to endure

and finished the day with a lovely dinner out at the local Club.

A Fine time with Finn

We had the pleasure of walking Leanne’s little boy Finn around the neighbourhood golf course and lakes,  just like a local.

He was our couch buddy too. We will miss him.

Darwin’s other History

Sadly Darwin was bombed during WWII and many service men and women and civilians lost their lives, and Darwin has done a tremendous job of memorialising this event.  Today we came across some other history.

There are only 4 pre WWII homes still standing that have also survived Cyclone Tracey of 1974 which devasted Darwin.  They were public servant housing, and are now heritage listed. All designed by the same architect BCG Burnett.

The Star Cinema, open air cinema, relied on the airforce to bring them the latest movie reels.  The area has much memorabillia from it’s hayday, it is now part of the Mall and contains a selection of boutique shops and healthy snack bars, and a barber that wants to charge $44 for a mans haircut, and $65 including a shave.

Darwin Delights

We spent a whole day walking the city centre today.  Instead of the normal touristy things we thought we would capture something different.

Darwin’s answer to the pidgeon...the masked lapwing or plover, so common in the city centre

Frangipani still in flower

As hot as it still is, autumn is still evident

And so is the clean up after the wet season storms

The colourful and unusual street art

The interesting “trees of life” in the new marina precinct

Celebrating 200 People who have made Northern Territory great, their names and occupations are on tiles, spread out through the gardens along the Esplanade

Kangaroos sitting in the Hilton Hotel’s foyer

Derek finding shade

Derek enjoying the parkland and views

Seriously? #11

This “Statue Street Busker” in the Darwin Mall nicely explained to Derek that he cannot except any money, when Derek couldn’t find anywhere to put it on the ground.

He was practising his Falon Dafa (Gong).  Seriously! We thought he was a statue as he didn’t move for over 5 minutes.

Postcards from Darwin

1 June - 8 June 2018

A quick drop in on Craig, Sara and now 6 month old Ayla in Cairns for a few days, we were back on a flight this time to Darwin to visit Derek’s very dear friend Leanne, who moved to Darwin last August with work.  We waited for the wet season and some humidity to pass first.

Sunset Dinner cruise, we also caught up with another work collegue Warren, on the cruise too who had also been visiting Leanne. great food, company, and weather

Berry Springs - little oasis on the Cox Peninsula ...a short drive from Darwin. It has been checked for freshwater crocs after the wet season, before opening to the public.

Life’s Sunsets

Have just come from a beautiful sunset cruise in Darwin with our dear friend Leanne, and couldn’t help think of Aunty Winnie as the sun was setting.  We will miss her dearly.