In Darwin for a few days in a van park called Shady Glen, though more appropriately called freeway to airport, they even have jumbos landing and 0200, and then the semi's start about 0500 but the town is chockers so just have to put up with it, thank heavens for the pool and central location. It has been wonderfully warm but Jack has now outgrown 3 pair of pants and 2 T Shirts so quick trip to vinnies yesterday and $20 later both he and Morgie are quite happy with their new outfits. Have been having heaps of down time in Darwin, I had my birthday spa visit which my brother splashed out for me and the kids spent the morning in a wave pool similar to Jambaroo yesterday. Great asian noodle lunch then picked up some essential things - gerry can etc before retiring to the shade with our books. All in all too much excitement.
Jack got a little sunburnt on the face yesterday, reflection off the water so avoiding the sun today. This plus the fact that Gordon saw croc tracks on the beach whilst out for his morning jog has convinced us the van park pool is the place to be. Jack continues to hone his spear and after several attempts to make a stone tip has decided to sharpen the wooden end. He has asked the photos of his work in progress and tools be posted.
Went to Parap markets today, I want to move to Darwin just for them, The food was better than Sydney China town, traditional Asian very different to what we are used to at home - rice flour waffles with sugar bananas, tropical fruit freshly picked, and a myriad of Asian herbs, spices and fresh vegies, all very aromatic. Could have bought so much stuff, but no way of keeping it refrigerated, we are very tight for refrigeration space.
Got caught in tourist trap by a young girl who was wrapping braids in hair, she quoted a price per inch then cost of beads, we agreed on a length and max cost of beads but once it was beyond going back she said, it was extra for this, this and this, so the price blew out by another $10. It looks great and Morgie was very happy but left the girl with no misunderstanding that I was less than happy with her underhanded ways. She was next to a guy trying to sell tasmanian honey that had gone candied and was remelting in the heat so not much business coming his way. It would seem these were the casual stall holders.
This was in stark comparison with the other side of the markets which had great hand made crafts, this place would solve all my Xmas shopping problems but again space is the issue and much of it too fragile to post home. Morgie managed to pick up a hair clip with frangipani on it which she is very pleased with. Surprisngly little indigineous art other than a photographer trying to do Anne Geddies cutsie with indigineous children, maybe it appeals to the overseas market.
Picking our brave friend and brief travelling companion, Anne, up from the airport today and out to dinner with some local friends tonight. Tomorrow involves some serious menu planning and final prep stuff - fixing the stone chips and other minor rattles before we leave for Lichfield and then across to start Gibb river Rd. Happy that it has been all small and easily remedied stuff, my dad who set out at the same time as us has had to turn back once because of a road being closed and ended up cooling his heels in Mt Isa for a few days wating on a rear windscreen to come in. He is back on track now - though a much changed one and will meet up with us somewhere east of Kununurra. Have added in an extra day to stay at Lichfield but things a bit up in the air as may go in to bungle bungles after Broome to give us time to go up to Cape Leveck but will see once through Katherine.
Will continue to think of you poor souls down south whilst we run round in swimmers and have the washing dry in half an hour, though I fear you may have the last laugh with it only being 12 degrees of a day in Alice springs at the moment - we may have to dig the thermals out again yet.
Jack got a little sunburnt on the face yesterday, reflection off the water so avoiding the sun today. This plus the fact that Gordon saw croc tracks on the beach whilst out for his morning jog has convinced us the van park pool is the place to be. Jack continues to hone his spear and after several attempts to make a stone tip has decided to sharpen the wooden end. He has asked the photos of his work in progress and tools be posted.
Went to Parap markets today, I want to move to Darwin just for them, The food was better than Sydney China town, traditional Asian very different to what we are used to at home - rice flour waffles with sugar bananas, tropical fruit freshly picked, and a myriad of Asian herbs, spices and fresh vegies, all very aromatic. Could have bought so much stuff, but no way of keeping it refrigerated, we are very tight for refrigeration space.
Got caught in tourist trap by a young girl who was wrapping braids in hair, she quoted a price per inch then cost of beads, we agreed on a length and max cost of beads but once it was beyond going back she said, it was extra for this, this and this, so the price blew out by another $10. It looks great and Morgie was very happy but left the girl with no misunderstanding that I was less than happy with her underhanded ways. She was next to a guy trying to sell tasmanian honey that had gone candied and was remelting in the heat so not much business coming his way. It would seem these were the casual stall holders.
This was in stark comparison with the other side of the markets which had great hand made crafts, this place would solve all my Xmas shopping problems but again space is the issue and much of it too fragile to post home. Morgie managed to pick up a hair clip with frangipani on it which she is very pleased with. Surprisngly little indigineous art other than a photographer trying to do Anne Geddies cutsie with indigineous children, maybe it appeals to the overseas market.
Picking our brave friend and brief travelling companion, Anne, up from the airport today and out to dinner with some local friends tonight. Tomorrow involves some serious menu planning and final prep stuff - fixing the stone chips and other minor rattles before we leave for Lichfield and then across to start Gibb river Rd. Happy that it has been all small and easily remedied stuff, my dad who set out at the same time as us has had to turn back once because of a road being closed and ended up cooling his heels in Mt Isa for a few days wating on a rear windscreen to come in. He is back on track now - though a much changed one and will meet up with us somewhere east of Kununurra. Have added in an extra day to stay at Lichfield but things a bit up in the air as may go in to bungle bungles after Broome to give us time to go up to Cape Leveck but will see once through Katherine.
Will continue to think of you poor souls down south whilst we run round in swimmers and have the washing dry in half an hour, though I fear you may have the last laugh with it only being 12 degrees of a day in Alice springs at the moment - we may have to dig the thermals out again yet.
to jack hectic spear you have there i will show tyler tomorro played spotlight tonight and missed you. how far can you throw your spear? how are your drop kicks going.how big was the biggest croc you saw? how close where you to it? was it scary?i had noone to play with and with and wish you where here.btw love your hat. to morgan love your braid.did it take long? hope you are having fun i miss you alot.i painted my room light blue its look really good and mum keeps going on about how good it looks!last day of the school holidays tomorro:( are you going to be on msn soon? speak to you you soon love you xxx
ReplyDeletefrom Erin and Haydn
Hi guys, Morgan and Jack are out and we will not have internet for nearly 2 weeks now so I am answering for them, Jack can throw his spear about 5 m and getting accurate aiming at trees, tried to get sister but was threatened with punishment. Nearly lost football and places often quite crowded so not getting much footy practice but hope to once we are bush. The biggest croc was about 5 1/2 m and we were in a boat but about 3 m away, the boat driver said it could jump and get us if it wanted. The hat is dad's old one but Jack has shaped it to look cool. The braid took about 20 min, can't wait to see your room. Hope you enjoy school, won't get on msn for about 2 weeks and we are 2 hours ahead of you so we are getting ready for dinner when you finish school.
ReplyDeleteMorgan and Jack