TUESDAY 22 AUGUST     DARWIN TO HOWARD SPRINGS   12kms

Departed the great park at Hidden Valley and moved to the Howard Springs Big 4 Caravan Park.

We were installed on a site for longer term stayers – in anticipation of mango work. There was no en-suite on this site, of course, but it was quite large and fairly well shaded. Our outlook was to the rural land next door – complete with lots of ibis, and peacocks.

We would pay $24 a night, for the first 4 weeks, no discounts, then after that, $90 a week, plus our power use. That would be much more economic than Hidden Valley.

It seemed very quiet here, after being in Darwin. Very little traffic noise, whereas we had gotten used to the background of traffic noise where we had been. No air force exercises over head, either!

This was quite a large and attractive park, with a long area extending to the back, which would no doubt be fairly well occupied at the height of the tourist season, but which did not contain many guests now. It made a pleasant enough area for walking exercise, if I did not feel like venturing out onto the local footpaths or road verges.

If the mango work came through, this would be very convenient.

The park had a very nice swimming pool and spa. After setting up, we indulged here. It was John’s idea – I was surprised as he was not usually into pool use. The weather was now getting hot.

M phoned at night. She was still at Elsey NP. I told her we had not heard anything about the WA work. She said she was going slowly, thinking we might change our minds and catch up with her, or hear that WA was a no go and decide to head for home. I wish!