Made it to the top end

We have finally made it to Darwin. We expect to be here for 2 to 3 weeks so will update with our Darwin activities when we leave.

On our first night the heavens opened up and our annexe was flooded out. Luckily everything was not unpacked so no damage done. We had 24 mm in less than an hour. Let's hope we manage to stay dry!

What may also affect our stay time here is how long it takes us to have some repairs done to the van. On the way from Kalbarri to Denham, the front window cover was nearly pulled out of it's hinge as a result of the wind blast from an approaching road train. I managed to do some temporary sheet metal work and get in (sort of) back in position. However, when travelling on the Great Northern Hwy prior to Port Hedland, another wind blast from an oncoming road train completely ripped it out of the frame rendering it totally wrecked - it is still there somewhere on the side of the road (see pic below).

On the way from 80 Mile Beach to Broome we had another window mishap. This time the window on the left side next to the door broke away from it's hinge at the top which was the result of us not winding the window in tight enough (see pic below)

Once these have been fixed (waiting on parts to arrive from down south) we will be on our way hopefully before the wet season sets in up here.

One other package we have been waiting on is Danii (Denise's daughter), who arrived here on 11th October. We have been gradually getting used to the hot weather having not been in a place under 20 degrees since we left Coral Bay. Danii hit Darwin at it’s muggy best and is taking her a while to get used to it as she came here straight from wintery Perth weather. The constant heat and humidity was slowly wearing Denise and myself down as well, and with the wet season approaching, was ready to move on and head south.

We ended up staying here for 3 weeks and in that time explored most things in and outside of Darwin. Highlights for us were Litchfield National Park (100 K’s south of Darwin), Mindl Beach sunset markets, Crocodylus Park and the Territory Wildlife park which recently featured on Channel Nine’s Getaway program.
On a picnic we had at a local park Denise was bitten by the infamous Darwin Sandflies. The result was a nasty collection of welts mainly on her legs which are extremely itchy. Apparently it can take up to 4 weeks to heal, so let’s
hope it’s less time for Denise.

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