GOODBYE DARWIN

The week began with Brodie's 7th birthday. He had been counting how many sleeps for over a month!

We got him a foosball table - a small, tabletop one, which I had calculated by its measurements would fit nicely into the space under the lounge. Of course the measurements did not include the handles sticking out! Anyway, he's happy - and I'm sure we'll find somewhere to keep it. His favourite present was a set of rhythm sticks.

The daily afternoon storms are really setting in now. An odd thing we noticed is that up here most buildings don't have gutters on the roof. Unless you have a rainwater tank it's pointless. The rain comes down so fast that gutters can't hold it. It creates some impressive waterfalls off the rooftops.

We spent one afternoon visiting the old Fannie Bay Gaol. It was really interesting, but there was quite an eerie energy about the place.

Tara checks out the shower and toilet block.

A couple of the remand block cells still had beds set up in them. It must have got so hot in there as the building is just a big tin shed.

A visit to the gallows resulted in endless questions and some challenging discussions on the drive home!

So the time has come when we must say goodbye to Darwin. The saddest part about that is leaving Darren's cousins Liza and Bernie and his wife Fiona. They've made our stay here so much fun. Yesterday they came out to the caravan park for a bbq, and we set one of the tvs up outside so we could watch Bathurst.

Our last day was spent packing up and getting ready to head off in the morning. Gary, who runs the caravan park, is also a Collingwood supporter, so we've become good mates. Casey sweet-talked him into letting him drive the buggy this afternoon. If you're ever in Darwin, remember the Oasis Caravan Park - an awesome spot! We'll miss it. Tomorrow it's off to Kakadu.