Noonamah, Darwin.

Chris and Lucy were very good allowing us to set up at their place as they already had their parents in their huge motorhome and their friends in their off road trailer sitting in their driveway. We set up outside the fenced area as there was an old grumpy dog inside that would not get along with our dogs. We had a lovely set up, certainly good enough for the two weeks we were there.

Noonamah is very close to Humpty Doo, somewhere Jock and I remember from many years ago although I have to say much bigger we probably would not have recognised it if it wasn’t for the boxing croc! A very large statue of a crocodile up on its back legs with the two front legs in boxing gloves. Our first visit was in to the Darwin visitors centre to gather information as to what we may do this two weeks. As we approached Darwin I was blown away, it is huge! There were high rise buildings and I did not recognise anywhere, it is very sad to see it like this, it was such a small city many years ago. Even Jock was shocked and he had been here only 10 years ago this was one of his favourite places but not any more, what a shame.

In the evenings we would go around to where everyone else sat on the driveway to have happy hour. Everyone was so friendly, one night Sue Ellen (Trevor’s other cousin) and her partner Grant came over and Grant brought all his gear to give us some entertainment for the night, he is a great singer. We had a great night, bbq, entertainment, karaoke, dancing and even a conga line.

Most nights after dinner we would lay back and watch the sky, a couple of nights the moon gave us a good show with spooky rings around it. We saw the international space station go over and numerous satellites, we could see millions of stars with no town lights about. And it was mine and Emma’s mission to spot at least one shooting star per night.

Michelle, Emma and I had a great day out on the town which after the remote places we had been was very nice. We did not really need anything it was just really a look see but of course as soon as we spotted an Op shop we were in there and buying!! I got a lovely new expensive top for a couple of dollars and Michelle and Emma bought items. In the cheap shop we decided to try a few hats and masks on, as you do on a girls day out! It was a great relaxing therapy day for us all.

Jock went fishing with all the men one morning, they were all keen fishermen so it was good for Jock and Trevor to get away from camp with other males for the day. Michelle Emma and I went to meet up with a cousin of Michelle’s called Kathy, she lives here in Darwin.