Darwin

On arrival to Darwin we set up camp at the Free Spirit caravan park. A nice caravan park just a little expensive but we enjoyed the stay there. We met up with the Hardfums who are staying here and the Beesons as it's Jordyn's early birthday party. We had an enjoyable evening hanging out and celebrating Jordyn turning 12.

We spent the next day setting up properly, doing jobs and then went to the Mindil Market. We watched the sunset, the street performers and had tea. I had a fabulous laksa, yummy.  It's a great market with lots of stalls and lots of people. I had a great time people watching! Much to Marks amusement! We ended up going to the markets a few times. Just a great way to enjoy an evening in Darwin.

Then the big day arrived, Nan (Marks mum) was arriving. We put the kids to bed early then woke them at midnight to go to the airport to collect Nan. The kids were gorgeous, they were just so excited. Nan certainly was surprised to see them at the airport in the middle of the night.

We said goodbye to the Beesons one night and then the Hardfirms another morning. We've been seeing these guys on and off for a few years now. Will be weird and sad not seeing them. But we all have different adventures to have :)

We spent many a time at the pool, it's hot and this is a pretty nice one. We ran into Amy, Leo and kids who'd we'd met at Elquestro, at the pool one night. We had dinner with them and Vik, Craig and kids and played a bit of trivia. 

We took Beth into the city for a look around at the big smoke. We stopped at the camping store on the way  in, which entertained us for a while!! Mark was trying to find a new cowboy hat.  Not sure about these ones.

We took a drive down to the wharf area and had a wander about. Was interesting reading about the area being bomb and seeing it now looking so great. Bit of an eye opener for the kids I think. Some nice food places on the wharf but we were being tight and I'd packed a picnic. We went to the Esplanade and had lunch in the shade.

As we were driving around we spotted the Walkers down at the WW11 oil tunnels. We stopped and had a chat to them before going to explore the tunnels.  They were interesting, to think of the effort put in to make them and then they ended up not really being used!

We'd gotten a little hot and needed to cool off. We went to Palmerston water park for some fun. Mark and Jake spent ages going down the big slides. Charlotte, Nan and I stuck to the kiddie area.

The kids had convinced Nan to go on the croc jumping boat with them. Not sure she was that keen but she went anyway. We had a great time seeing all the crocs. They can jump surprisingly high. However the highlight of the trip was seeing Brutus. He's a one armed 90 year old huge croc and I mean huge. I was on the wrong side of the boat and the photos don't do him justice. He's an incredible big boy.

got a little close, oops

big boy Brutus

We drove down and had a little look at Fog Dam, had a picnic lunch then went to Windows on the Wetland. We weren't expecting much but we ended up really enjoying ourselves. It's a small but hands on informative centre. Kids filled out the quiz and spent ages learning. The view from the top is pretty specie, would be amazing after the wet. Well worth a visit for sure.

Mark trying to tame a buffalo

As I said we went to the Mindil a few times. We really enjoyed it, kids and Nan especially liked the street performers.

Makes new hat, he's very proud but still misses his 'old mate'.  This one is called 'new mate'.

The two Charlotte's

We met up with the Walkers again at the markets as their youngest boy was busking with his Diablo. Mark also went out and helped David one day with his wheel bearings and we had a BBQ tea with them at Leayner water park. Before saying goodbye and see you in Tassie sometime.

I think by now everyone knows my dislike of going to museums with Mark. The kids and I finish looking and end up waiting hours for him. Annoying for us but he loves museums and history. I was pleasantly surprised by the Darwin Museum and quite enjoyed myself. I particularly liked all the art displays. Then we had a lovely picnic overlooking the yachts out for a sail and watched the Aqua duck go into the water.

Skulls covered with sprinkles...art??

big sweetheart

How a bored little boy entertains himself at a museum

After the museum we went to the wave pool at the waterfront. We all had a fun time bobbing about in the blue blow up rings. Kids were a little too brave for me but I had to relax and let them in amongst the bigger waves. They had a ball.

On Sunday we went to Berry Springs for the day. It's a beautiful fresh water swimming area with lovely picnic areas. Needless to say, we were a little silly going on a Sunday as everybody from Darwin was there! We still had a lovely time swimming about and swinging on the rope seeing. Just disappointing seeing people drinking and smoking in the water.

Much to my delight we went to the Military museum as well. I told the children they had to stick with Mark. I had a leisurely look around then sat having a cup of tea while I waited for Mark, Beth and the kids. Best idea yet! It was another good museum, I'll admit that. They've done a great job with a new main building and display. That's the kids history lesson for the day.

Third museum......yep I really did make it to all three. I must admit I'd almost had enough once I got to the Aviation museum. I enjoyed looking at all the planes and had a bit of a read of the signs. It was hot and I was done, I broke even my record, 8minutes and I'd seen enough. Two hours later I managed to drag Mark out.

The museum aholic!

Now I enjoyed the Botanicsl Gardens much more. We had a lovely wander about looking at all the plants. It's only a small gardens but I loved all the colourful plants.

Beth looked after the kids one night and Mark and I went out. We had dinner at a Greek restaurant on the waterfront then went to the movies in the city. We found a great park nearby outside what we thought was a small cafe. We returned after the movie to a different scene. Bouncers, security cameras, people lined up and down the street and cops hanging about. And there was the cruiser sitting there all on its own, was hilarious. Mark was a little worried about his baby but then decided it was a great place to park!! We sat there people watching then headed off. Had a wander around the casino, came out $100 better off and called it a night. Love my kids but certainly enjoy time away aswell!

We went out for tea on Beths last night, to the waterfront area. Had a great meal at the Irish Pub and yummy icecream after. We had fun going up in the glass lift to the walkway. Should have heard our kids screams!

We said a sad goodbye to Beth/Nan. It had been lovely to have family to visit. The kids got spoilt rotten and lots of hugs. At least this time it's only goodbye for a few months.

We packed up the annexe. Did the restocking and some school work then headed out of Darwin. We had a great time in Darwin, it's a capital city but certainly doesn't feel like it. Would be an interesting place to live.......maybe next time ;)