Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Hayes Creek Caravan Park



Well we got to Hayes Creek at about 3pm, after catching up with Dave's mate in Adelaide River & then of course we had to stop at the Pub for another Barra Burger :)

We set up camp:
Beautiful little C/Park - lots of shade & green grass~















On Wednesday Dave set off for work bright & early - the Mine is just 10 minutes up the road.
I caught up on the washing & was reading the paper after lunch when I heard a crackling noise, there was a fire in the bush behind us - but no need to panic in the NT they burn off alot it is called a "Cool Burn"
But I got some good photo's:

















On Thursday I walked down to the creek where there is a beautiful little swimming hole, another great photo opportunity

The swimming hole


Beautiful running creek


The Water was so clear

















& Dave thought I would be bored here!

We went up to the roadhouse for dinner on Thursday night - the meal was fabulous! I had Barra, chips & Salad & Dave had Snitzel with Hawaiian Topping, chips & salad:




Dave's job has been extended until next week so we had the weekend off.
Saturday we drove up to Darwin to do some groceries.
We stopped at the Fred's Pass Markets & got a few souvenirs & gifts for friends.
Then drove onto Coolalinga to do the food shopping - Boring!
We didn't get back to camp until about 4.30, so it was a pretty long day.
Sunday was much more relaxing, Dave cooked us a lovely Bacon & Egg Breakfast & then we packed a picnic lunch & headed off for the day.
We drove to the Daly River Crossing, it was closed but the river was beautiful:


Beautiful  river

The closed crossing














Definitely worth the drive



Daly River
Then we drove back to the Douglas Daly Region. We called into the Douglas River hot springs:

Dave heading down first








































Douglas River
there wasn't anywhere there to have a picnic so we went to the Douglas Daly Resort & spoke to the lady in the Caravan Park, who was very helpful & told us we could drive through the park then down to the river as there are quite a few camping spots there & as long as no-one was there we could use them!
So off we went & we chose camping spot number 6 and walked down to the river with our lunch & sat by the rapids - very nice!

So peaceful
















Dave threw a line in but no luck!















Then we drove down a bit further to the Arches to take some photo's:





another great spot








Then it was back to camp, for a rest :)


Dave worked through until Wednesday night & we are leaving tomorrow morning heading for home.
Until our next post,
Cheers & happy travels,
shell

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Our Last Days in Darwin

Early Morning at Lee Point Beach
Well for those of you that don't know, we were going to spend 3 months in Darwin as Dave was going to fly direct to the mine from here. But less than a week before this much planned trip Dave's Mine went into Care & Maintenance, so he was out of a job!
It was very unexpected & hardly any notice at all. We decided to still bring our van up to Darwin & Catch up with our friends as planned, but obviously not staying for 3 months.

Anyway enough about that, we have really enjoyed being up here & catching up with our friends & visiting all our favourite places.

Friday we went on a Mitchell St Pub Crawl with Jack & Si ( Si was the designated driver ) First stop Was   The Ducks Nuts yes that is the name & we had a lovely lunch there,then onto The TapThe Wisdom BarMonsoons & finishing at the The Deck Bar. Now those of you that know Darwin will know that we only accomplished 1 side of the road, But it was a very hot day & we had more than 1 drink per pub so we were well & truly ready to go home.
Si & Jack













Saturday, we were a bit slow, but we still got up at 7am & went for our morning walk :) & just potted around the van all morning. We went to the Cas Club for lunch & won $20 bucks on the pokies :)

Sunday, we caught up with friends Jenny & Steve. We had run into them at a camping shop here in Darwin, they used to be our neighbours in Kalgoorlie -small world!



Steve & Jenn





















We were hoping to catch up with Kathy & Dean Sunday arvo but they were busy so we decided to do some sight seeing:

We went out to Stokes Hill Wharf:

Talk about small world - that was our friend Grant waving in the boat as I was taking the picture!
Then we drove to East Point:

Then to Nightcliff:



The weather got real steamy & windy. the clouds were pretty threatening too:












So we decided to head back to the van.
Of course there was no rain!




Sunday night we had a few drinks with Jack & Si, just a few :)


Monday we caught up with some very dear friends that used to live behind us at Lee Point Many years ago.

Les & Suzie



Les & Suzie have been living on their Yacht & were currently moored off Stokes Hills Wharf so we met them on the wharf & had a lovely lunch of locally caught Barra & salad  a great catch up chat.
So sad we only got to see them for a short time.

Dave had organised 3 days work so we we were leaving Darwin on Tuesday.

We had our last dinner Back at the wharf with Jack & Si, it was the last day of their break as well.

Another lovely meal & good chat:


Jack, Si ,Me & Dave

So we packed up & Left Darwin first thing Tuesday Morning & Headed to Hayes Creek, which is really just a roadhouse & Big 4 Caravan Park.
But that will be in the next update!

So cheers & Happy Travels,
Shell


Friday, May 17, 2013

Another Fun Packed week in Darwin


Nightcliff Beach


Well after the Caravan Show we drove to Nightcliff & had a lovely lunch at the Beachfront Hotel.

Then back to then van & I caught up with the blog. 3 hours later, is was time to get ready to go to the Rodeo.

We were surprised how many people were there it was packed:

This is just a quarter of the arena.
As I found out in America it is very hard to take photo's of a Rodeo, but here are a few that weren't too bad:

She was so little












Ride' Em Cowboy!!
Sunday was Mother's day, so Dave said it was my choice :)
We drove into Darwin City & had lunch & then walked along Mitchell St checking out all the shops - no not buying lots, just looking!
Then we went to Sky City Casino & donated about $30!
We walked out on the back lawn to look at the beach:

Beautiful Gardens
Then we went to Mindil Markets:


Lots of stalls & things to see.
Then home to rest!

Monday was not very pleasant as I had to go to the dentist to fix a loose cap - Money & Pain, not a good combo!
Tuesday we had to wait for the batteries to be delivered so we caught up on washing & cleaning.
The batteries arrived around lunchtime so Dave fitted them - hopefully all set now for free camping :)

Tuesday arvo we caught up with our close friends Jack & Si, although it was only a brief visit as they had just finished night shift & we heading off to sleep :)

Tuesday night we met up with Kerry & Grant  at the Tracy Village Club, we had a lovely meal there.

Wednesday we drove out to do the Adelaide River Jumping Croc Cruise - very good!

Our Boat

very keen to jump



Look at those Teeth!





























It was a beautiful day, lots of Crocs & Birds:





















quite a few road trains on the road out there too:


We really enjoyed ourselves - well worth the visit!

Wednesday night we had a lovely BBQ dinner & caught up with Jack & Si as we did Thursday night as well:


Great friends great times :)
That will do for now as this post is getting too long,

Cheers till next time,
Shell