Day 21. Monday 8th July 2013.

Left Batchelor nine-ish for the 100 k trip to Darwin. Got to the Hidden Valley Tourist Park (they used to be known as 'caravan parks') bright and early before lunch. Feels really hot under the sun here, so the new you-beaut sun-shades are now in use.

Off to the supermarket to re-stock. Had to get some 'Carlton Dry' for Geraldine, who has developed a taste for same. Reckons it is more refreshing than white wine on a hot afternoon. Subjective but relevant.

Day 22. Tuesday 9th July 2013.

'Tis happy birthday to the lovely Geraldine, 62 years young. Gerry enjoyed a chat with Justine, Sam and Emily via Skype. We then had a quiet morning wandering around the Darwin foreshore, had a look at the wave pool and swimming area. Looks inviting. Might give it a try some time.We also crossed the road and had a look at the old World War 2 underground oil-storage area. These tunnels were built into the cliffs straight under Darwin City. They are VERY big but also very secure from the bombing that took place.

After a quiet day we were off to dinner with Geraldine's child-hood friend, Jan Easy (nee Ryan). We picked her up from her place and she presented Gerry with a parcel of birthday cards which had been sent to Jan's place by the kids, grand-kids and others. The old girl became some-what emotional, she loved it!

Not a bad meal at a Darwin restaurant...bit like the old curate's egg, some good bits, some ordinary bits. But still, a nice time was had.

Wave Pool, Darwin Foreshore.

Inside one of the oil storage tunnels under Darwin.

Day 23. Wednesday 10th July 2013.

We are now going for an hour's walk first thing in the mornings...trying to maintain some sort of fitness. After brekky etc we're off into Darwin city (we are about 10 k's out). Hair-cut, walk around, cuppa coffee, then to Casuarina shopping centre for some more therapy. Back to the park and go for a swim. While in the pool I happen to recognise a bloke I used to work with...ex-Senior Constable Don Phalp, known as 'Phalpy', from Anglesea, Torquay and Geelong. He is travelling around Australia in his camper van and by happen-chance is staying here at the same park. Bloody small world I say. Have to have a beer with him now don't I, so I do. We do the usual ex-copper thing, that is talk about everything and anything except the job.

Day 24. Thursday 11th July 2013.

Another nice, hot 32 degree day. We decide to have a quiet day around the pool, before heading to the Night Market at Mindel. This market is somewhat different to most as while you have the usual market stalls, there is just about every type of food that you can think of available. Beautiful. More damage to the diet!

Darwin Sunset from Mindel Beach.

Day 25. Friday 12th July 2013.

After our usual Darwin morning routine we head off to the Territory Museum and Art Gallery. This place has a gallery that displays about all of the different aboriginal art styles found throughout the country. I thought that that style of art consisted of just dots...but no.

The display that is really the highlight, as well as thought-provoking, is the one that relates to the 'before, during and after' of  Cyclone Tracey. There are the usual old photographs and videos but there is also a sound-booth where a recording of the actual noise made by the winds, rain and crashing debris is played. It is really worth a visit.

After wandering around the museum for a couple of hours we do a bit of a tour around the area known as East Point. Very picturesque and a different perspective of Darwin is had from there.

We wanted to go for a swim after lunch but the bloody pool was closed due to a 'problem with the pump'. So mooch around the van instead...just as well it is severe beer-danger weather!

 Darwin from East Point.