Well reading back through my blogs - it's been awhile since I last posted - isn't it amazing how quickly time fly's by. We've had a fantastic time here in Darwin, and whilst everyone down south has been battling the cold and sadly quite a few of you have had your share of colds & flu - we've been sweltering up here.
It's quite obvious why you seen so many travellers heading North for the winter. We haven't had a day below 33 the whole time we've been here. It's been funny weather - whilst it was 33 in July, the sun didn't feel hot however the humidity was around and you felt sticky all the time. Along came August and the humidity dropped and we had some lovely weeks of enjoyable warm weather. Then suddenly it's September and whilst the humidity comes & goes - it's the heat of the sun that has been the biggest change. Now the minute you step out into the sun the force of the heat nearly takes your breath away. Some of our best times here have been taking the bikes in and riding around all the wonderful bike paths that run around the harbour & foreshore. Yesterday Rob & I thought we would have a last ride but after 15 minutes we had to head back and get back in the car. The force of the heat made you feel physically sick. Oh well - off to the Oyster bar and some cold beers!!
We started a bucket list of things we wanted to do whilst in Darwin when we first arrived and each week we've been ticking something off and with Lou & Bruce from Kingscliff here working as well - we've been able to share some of these things with them. We've had lots of visitors, including my Mum & Dad who travelled up from Narromine. It was lovely to be able to show them some of the things that we love about Darwin and the NT. Mark & Cathy from Narromine also dropped by on their way home from Dragon Boat racing in Broome (of all places).
We had a weekend out at Crab Claw Island (now I want to point out that it's only an island once or twice a year when there is a King tide but apparently this allows them to call themselves an Island)
It was a great weekend with lots of laughs, not many fish but some amazing mud crabs given to us by another guy who appreciated our help pushing his boat out to water when then tide went out and left him high & dry.
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| View from our Deck |
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| Amazing Sunrise with the moon still up |
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| so worth getting up early |
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| Don't throw the lines in just yet boys! |
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| Catch of the day to Lou |
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| Check out the fog |
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| A feast of Mud Crabs |
We even fitted in a swim at Berry Springs - so beautiful and the water crystal clear (& safe to swim in)
With the Darwin Festival on in August we also enjoyed a couple of shows, with a local band and also a theatre show on Parliament house lawns.
We had to fit in a day fishing trip. I can truly say that by the end of the day I was heartily sick of reeling fish in. We didn't keep them all but we had plenty to keep us in fish for quite awhile.
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| Our companions for the day |
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| Heading out through the 'lock' |
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| My little shark |
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| Now that's a bit better |
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| Some of the haul for the day |
We've checked out the Botanical Gardens which have great bike & walking paths
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| Botanical gardens |
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| Lots of cool shade |
There was an Open day at Government House so we went and checked out the Governor's lovely home and gardens and enjoyed scones & tea in the courtyard.
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| Lovely cool verandah's on 3 sides |
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| Government House - Darwin NT |
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| The Living Room |
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| Dining Room - sure my name was on one of the placecards |
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| View from near the Living room |
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| Another verandah - little sitting areas everywhere |
The gardens were just beautiful, and with a stunning harbour view - who wouldn't want to live here!
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| Beautiful stonework paths and borders |
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| Cannot get enough of this view |
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| So Pretty! |
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| And a Pond of course |
My last 5 weeks in Darwin I have been working for FORWAARD Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centre.
I have to say it's been the most interesting and challenging job I've had. It's a Government funded Aboriginal centre that offers 12 Week rehab program. Some clients are there voluntarily and some are there on court orders. They live on-site whilst on the program and have counselling, AA meetings, etc plus they also partake in a variety of different activities like going to the movies or fishing whilst under supervision. I was very fortunate to spend some of the past 2 weeks with a lady who graduated from the program last Friday. She was very open and talked with me about her life, family and the difference that a program like FORWAARD's can offer. She still has a long road ahead of her and I wish her all the best for the future.
The family violence, suicide rate and problems with alcohol and drugs within the aboriginal committee's up here is horrific, like nothing I could possible imagine. It's not about the money handed to them as this appears to play a very small role for the majority of them. It's more about an ancient civilisation trying to adapt to a 21st century lifestyle whilst still firmly anchored in the past. I certainly don't know the answers but it is heart breaking to see them trying to fit in around the city of Darwin. You might look and only see a drunk person sitting on the footpath or a group sitting around in the park but it's so much more than that.
In the past 3 months there have been 30 suicides in the NT. Not something you will hear about on the News - and before we all ask why isn't it in the news - it's more to do with a fear of copycat suicides. Just last week there was a 14yr old boy who killed himself in the same manner and in the same place as his brother the year before. I'm also told Families are having their children removed, and whilst they may try and clean their acts up - the children by then don't want to go back. The Mum/Dad then do note want to live with the shame of having let their children down.
Well to finish on a more cheerful note - Rob & I leave Darwin on Friday. We need to be in Kingscliff on the 4th October for a couple of days and then headed south to see the family and get ready for the Cherry season. Hopefully we will catch up with a lot of you over the next couple of months - then WA here we come !!
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Cheers !!
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| Darwin Ski Club with Lou, Bruce, Sharon & Phil Klein from Kingscliff |
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| Oh another selfie!! |
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| Rob with his cousin Tom |
