Waking to new sounds

Darwin

Lee Point Village Resort

1st May - 1st June 2010

Days 134 to 190

Just in case you thought we had all been munched by a croc, swept away by a cyclone or melted in the humidity I thought we were well past an update.

Here at Lee Point, we have been waking to the screaming call of the curlews and sensational, fiery sunrises. We have had a fantastic time here for many reasons. The weather for the last 6 weeks has been fairly consistently balmy. An average of 30 degrees during the day with gentle breezes keeping the humidity at bay is spoiling us.

We have met some great people, with kids our kids age, so that has lent itself to a very social time up here. Wayne and I have both had nights out with girls/boys allowing us to enjoy our gender preferred activities, like markets, shopping, coffees and girl movies v's crab potting, fishing, footy and pies. The kids are really going to miss building cubbies, bike riding, footy, swimming, fishing, gymnastics and chatting with their new friends once we leave in about a week and a half. Though we are ready to move on now and will catch up with our friends in time.

Wayne has enjoyed work for the most part and being a 3 minute drive from where we are camped, the travel time is no issue. It's been really interesting for him to work in Darwin and what is involved in building homes that will withstand cyclonic activity. To start with, all the new homes are built with blocks with no frames and the roofs take about 3 times as long to put up and tie down because they have to be so much more secure than down at home. He is looking forward to a break and his boss has organised for all the boys to go on a fishing trip next weekend - a great way to finish off.

We have found Darwin to be really family friendly and have enjoyed lots of outings consuming our weekends and afternoons. Here is just a sample of our exploring - to many things to list.

We saw Fantastic Mr Fox at the Deckchair cinema, an outdoor movie theatre right next to the water - didn't know whether to watch the movie or the sunset!

The National Museum was a treat, giving you the experience in a sound booth, of what it was like in the midst of Cyclone Tracy. It was packed with lots of visual displays, plenty to read and lots of artwork to appreciate.

Mothers Day was spent on a SeaCat over to Mandorah, where we enjoyed a few drinks, a jazz band and a walk along the beach. After heading back to the city we found a beautiful park and had fish and chips and watched the ship sails by - hmmmmm!

We went on a Jumping Croc Cruise down at Adelaide River. It was incredible to see the crocs in their natural environment and so close. The strength in their bodies to launch themselves out of the water to snap at a chunk of meat is amazing.

Darwin is a haven for markets. We have nearly roadtested them all - will have to stay to finish them all off.

Lee Point will always be memorable as the place where I last had to put a nappy on one of our kids. No more day or night nappies - hooray!