Darwin/ Litchfield

We made it to Darwin!  It was a funny reunion with Sarah and Brad - very hot an muggy weather, combined with no shower for the past four days, and setting up our camper at the Free spirit resort... I ran to a shower at the first moment so I could give them a big hug without worries of stench and slimy skin crossing their paths.  Despite it being 5 months, in some ways it felt like only a few weeks had past - that is except for the baby brewing in Sarah's tummy!  How exciting.  Clearly we had lots to talk about.  So set up, swim, groceries and then dinner down at Stokes Wharf to celebrate.
The next day saw Ben and Brad take a long drive (almost to Kakadu) to fish for barramundi.  It was a big day out with lots of fish caught (but unfortunately undersized) and incredible scenery.  A real top end experience.  Sarah and Mandy spent the day by the pool chatting as Larina became more and more confident under the water now that she is free from floatation devices.
Day three - hello Grandma and Pa!!!  Cuddles all around, and the kids jumped into where they had left off in December.  In our attempts to fit a few things in this day, and have plenty of time to exchange news and stories, we ended up doing a kind of progressive lunch day - which was lots of fun.  First stop and coffee break was the jumping crocs cruise.  Spectacular.  Can't believe how ugly these prehistoric creatures are up close.  was a little pleased to put our feet safely back on shore after seeing a number of them devour meat that dangled from the boat.  I thought Sam was particularly brave, trying to get video footage from an open window right near the crocs - and this was despite his bad dream about them the night before.  Next stop for morning tea - Fog Dam - a great wetlands backdrop for a biscuit and cuppa.  Our final stop for picnic lunch was Charles Darwin Park, overlooking Perth city.  Perfect.

jumping croc's were incredible and ugly all at the same time

Fog Dam - moment to stop and capture a family pic.

 Other highlights in Darwin that we squeezed in were; Deckchair cinema under the stars,(date night for Ben and I, thanks to having baby sitters in town) NT museum and art gallery, Mindil Beach markets - particularly the paella sunset dinner, aviation museum, and lots of hanging by the pools. Larina received a book written by Francesca Bucknell called Princess Larina - A Fairy Story, while here in Darwin. We picked up the parcel on the way to the pool for a swim. Larina was so overcome with emotion she burst into tears after seeing the first few pages. It was a beautiful gift, and we have all read the story (multiple times) and smiled,laughed & reminisced at the photo's.  The lizards in the park here have managed to occupy the kids at every available moment, much to the kids delight and the lizards horror.



We loved the museum - including "Sweetheart" 



tropical Darwin.  mmmm  Sunset markets are fun!  (yes Dad - they are FUN!)

hav'n a crack'n time.  (sorry)

yummy food, good company, pretty sunset...



As Friday approached, we took a drive south, via Berry Springs to Litchfield National Park.  The park was fantastic, with swimming holes having just opened up during the week.  This also meant a popular time to visit - with lots of locals ready to beat the throngs of tourists that will be arriving over the next month.  We just about managed to see all the falls/ cascades and walks that were on offer.  Florence Falls will be forever etched in our memory along with the coach full of (USA) Marines who arrived there with us.  Our favourite swimming spot was Buley water holes - watching Pa diving into the deep pool, and of course, Wangi Falls, which is where we camped for the two nights.  I have to report - that the camping facilities were among the best, with hot showers, flushing toilets and free gas BBQs.  Over the few days, Sam and Nick became more and more game with jumping into rock pools, and we all took every opportunity to cool down whenever we could.  I was happy being tail end Charlie with Mum on the walks - giving us good opportunities to chat.  I think I put on weight this week - with all the ice cream, cake and treats from Mum!  It was nice to enjoy some spoils - thanks mum!
We also ran into the Browns again at Wangi - though schedules did not meet up so well this time, and we couldn't enjoy our catch ups after dark due to the swarm of insects - mostly the mossies!  Hopefully a day in Kakadu will work out for a good 4WD trip! (fingers crossed for Jim Jim Falls!)

Sneaky Larina...
"shh, don't tell Pa that I just put a gecko on his back..."

Cooling off at the top of the falls - Greenant walk. 

Bravery has reached new heights for the boys

our last supper around the pool

It was wonderful to see family again - and of course got us thinking lots about home and all our family and friends we miss.  It has also marked the halfway point of our journey around Australia.  Mixed feelings about this really - thoughts about how we will manage returning to life back at Warners Bay as well as giving up life on the road. 

I will enter a few more photos of the kids at the water park this afternoon soon - it looks like we may be slightly delayed in Darwin as we get our car fixed... oil problems...thanks Pa for all your advice.  Fingers crossed it will not be too expensive.