Wednesday the 29th of July 2020 – Darwin, Northern Territory

Had a bit of a rest the last couple of days but still managing to get out and see a few things. Tuesday, Steve and I had a day out visiting the Aviation Heritage Centre, the Darwin War museum, The RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) Centre and many other sites to do with Darwin’s WW2 and aviation history, whilst our vehicles were being serviced. The highlight had to be the RFDS Centre with the Virtual Reality film’s on the bombing of Darwin and a mercy flight in one of the RFDS’s PC12 Air Ambulances. The VR films were simply great, going to have to get myself one of those VR machines!

Today we dropped the caravan off for servicing and hopefully a fix to our alignment problems. Then into town to stay in a hotel for the evening, the first night in 7 months since we have slept in a bed that did not sit on 4 wheels!

Whilst Susan had some pampering in the Spa in the hotel, I met up with Steve and Vicki for lunch and then into Crocosaurus Cove for a bit of close up action with some Crocs! Crocosaurus Cove is in the city centre of Darwin and I hope the buggers never get out. There are some big and nasty types in there and the Crocs are pretty bad too!

After the Crocs it was down to Stokes Wharf for a drink and dinner. It was our last night with Steve and Vicki as we leave Darwin tomorrow for Litchfield National Park, whilst they are staying on for a few days before heading back home to Adelaide. Other than a short gap between Kununurra and Darwin we have been together since early March. It’s been a great trip, sharing all the adventures and also the misadventures together. Safe travels home guys!

B52 at the Aviation Heritage Museum
The 1934 QANTAS Hangar which is now amongst suburbia in Darwin. Just around the corner was also the site where Keith and Ross Smith landed their Vickers Vimy Bomber that won the Great Air Race from England. It landed on this spot on the 10th of December 1919 and they won the 10,000 pounds on offer from the Australian Government.
A 9 inch Gun at East Point overlooking Port Darwin. Unfortunately it didn’t become operational until very late in the war, well after the 19th of February 1942 when the Japanese first bombed Darwin.
This plaque is at the Darwin Cenotaph and my father was a member of the works squadrons that were in Darwin on the 19th of February 1942.
Liquid lunch with Steve, Irish Pub of course.
Close up with “Leo” all 5.3 metres of him.
Feeding “Burt”, everyone knows Burt as he was the star in the first Crocodile Dundee movie. He’s a cantankerous old bugger now at 80. Also he’s eaten his last 3 girlfriends, so he’s a confirmed bachelor whether he likes it or not!
Two more adventurous people with Leo!

One comment

  1. Victoria James's avatar
    Victoria James · July 31, 2020

    Nice commentary at the end All I can say is ditto until we meet again XXX

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

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