John took Trick to ARB, where it was booked in to get new PolyAir airbags, that strengthen the rear suspension.
M had the Troopy booked in at an auto electrics place for some work.
I stayed at camp and did some washing.
M went out with her friend for the evening.
John and I had a rare night to ourselves. He still had not been able to get the internet happening to his satisfaction.
John was busy in the van, trying to fix up his new internet connecting gizmo.
M and I left him to it and I went with her to the shops at Palmerston, and then into the city. She wanted to do some more Xmas shopping for various family and friends.
At Target in Palmerston, I bought a couple of pairs of long chino trousers that were on special. I figured they would be useful if we finished up working where long gear was needed. Bought myself a couple of loose, cool, casual tops, too.
Meanwhile, John found out that the Rumble in the Jungle Bowls match, which had been supposed to be this coming Saturday – after our waiting around for it – had either been deferred until much later, or cancelled altogether for this year. So there was no bowls commitment this weekend for us. It is funny how things work out. If we had not been waiting around for that, John would not have seen the jobs ads, and we would probably by now have been heading south, being happy tourists along the way! I was quietly annoyed.
In the later afternoon, took ourselves off to Mindil Beach markets again, to get tea, which we ate wandering around. We did not go and sit on the beach with the crowds, but the brilliant sunset was in the background.
Some, reading this, might wonder why we were not visiting the better known tourist attractions in Darwin, like croc farms, the wonderful Museum, the fish feeding, and so on. Reason was that we had been to these places on previous visits; in my case, repeatedly. So this filling-in-time sojourn was more for filling in some gaps and visiting lesser known attractions.
We drove to Cullen Bay Marina, to catch the 11am passenger ferry across to Mandorah, from the terminal there.
The tidal fluctuations and water height inside the Marina are controlled by lock gates at its entrance. The ferry jetty was outside the actual Marina, in a kind of basin formed by a rock breakwater wall. This saves the ferries from having to go through the somewhat tedious and time consuming lock procedure. Presumably though, in bad weather, they would go inside and moor safely until it passes.
Lock gates at marina entrance. Ferry terminal to left
Tickets cost $9.50 each. It only took us a bit under 20 minutes to cross the Harbour to the Mandorah side. We passed close by an LPG tanker on its way into Darwin Harbour and the port facility at Wickham Point.
There were interesting views back towards Cullen Bay Marina and to Darwin City centre.
Darwin skyline in the background
The jetty at Mandorah had decks at different heights, to allow for the large tidal range. We disembarked onto a lower deck – tide was down.
Mandorah jetty with hotel visible between the uprights
We were not impressed with Mandorah. It was all rather basic. A rough track led from the jetty to the nearby hotel. Apart from that, dusty dirt roads went in a couple of directions -but there did not seem to be anything around that was really worth walking to.
We had assumed we would eat lunch at the hotel. But the pub and its lunch meal offerings did not appeal. Decided to catch the 1pm ferry back to Darwin and eat there.
There had been some ongoing controversy over plans to build another hotel here, possibly replacing the existing one, possibly closer to the ferry.
The hotel had a superb setting, right near the sea. Outlook great. But visitors could mainly only sit around in a cement floored area, under a large roof formed by an overhanging building, at long communal tables.
Oh well, that was one more place crossed off the mental list of those I had long been curious about.
I had a text message exchange with daughter, about where we were, the markets tomorrow, and so on. She wrote about how, one day, they hope to travel, with the grandson in tow.
It was back onto the ferry and across the entrance to Darwin Harbour, to Cullen Bay.
Drove around to Nightcliffe and bought fish and chips, then drove back around to East Point, where we parked overlooking the sea and sat out on grass to eat our lunch. It was much more pleasant than at Mandorah.
Darwin as seen from the bay
While we were lunching, John took a mobile phone call from R at the construction company but finished the call somewhat confused. John “thought” the man said we were hired! There was apparently some talk of our training. It all seemed to John a bit confusing and vague though, with nothing definite re dates or meetings. But what did the man phone to say, if not that?
Went to a place called Fone Zone, at Casuarina. There, John spent $299 on some internet link up thing that might improve our internet access in the van. Emphasis on might.
Back at camp, we phoned our house sitters. They could not extend their stay at our place, because they had to go back to Tasmania.
M, who sold up her place back in 2004 and whose only home base was to stay with her mother, said she would live at our place and mind it and the cat, for however long was needed. She would time her return to coincide with the sitters’ departure. That solved more than one problem.
I tried again to suggest that I could go home. No joy!
Phoned son and daughter. Neither were happy about the idea that we would not be home until Xmas. Well – neither was I!
In the morning, we had the job interview at the company’s Darwin office.
The Manager, R, and his daughter who was the secretary, acted like we would probably be hired.
I was quite suspicious and found it hard to believe that John was the only applicant for the Safety Officer job. Maybe it was important that there were the two of us?
It was explained that there were two job sites, approximately 100 and 250kms from Port Hedland. A somewhat vague description….
The company was to build two 280 person accommodation camps, for construction crews that would build an iron ore railway for a small company, Fortescue Metals, from the mine in the Chichester Ranges, to be shipped from Port Hedland, where they were building their own shipping facility.
There was a real sense of urgency. Apparently, they needed to start ASAP, which might explain the speed at which they were prepared to hire us.
R said access to the site had already been delayed by some sort of external cause – not his company’s fault.
Mention was made that they would train us here and in Alice Springs, and then fly us to Port Hedland, transporting our Truck and van down by truck! But it all seemed rather vague and being made up as they went.
It would be BIG money!
I came away thinking I would need to learn the Excel program in a hurry, and brush up on my Office program skills in general. John tends to think that anyone who can spell or write can do clerical work….
We left there with nothing concrete. They would get in touch with us….
However, John did mention that we had a friend travelling with us – and R seemed a bit keen to hire her too! But M was not interested, however much John tried to persuade her. I thought that was very smart of her.
I would still prefer to tag along with her and go home. I said to John that I could go with M and leave him to go off alone on this particular little adventure. He did not like me saying that. I even said I could drive Truck and van home, and he could fly off adventuring. He got quite cross at the idea.
We went to the Casino for lunch. It was $9.85 each, for all one could eat from a very good buffet spread. Great value. It was a pleasant dining area too, with views out over the swimming pool to the sea.
We were not interested in the gaming machines and facilities, so we were not the type of customer the establishment was trying to lure with their attractive lunch deal.
After lunch, drove to the Holmes Jungle Nature Park, on the outskirts of town. Did one of the walks there. It was hot dry and dusty and not particularly impressive. The reputed bird life was in hiding from the heat. I did not have my camera with me, either.
Inner Darwin
John phoned the company number that was in the newspaper job ad. It connected to their head office in Alice Springs. He explained that there were two of us and that I could do clerical work. He did not mention that I was less than willing! They were interested – at which I was amazed. The woman that John spoke to offered him $30 an hour. I don’t know what possessed him, but he replied that we were worth more than that! And, bugger me, she upped it to $35 an hour! That would be EACH.
We had been working for $14 and $16 an hour at the cafe. So, I was even more amazed.
It would be a four month job, down in the WA Pilbara, somewhere. We were to go for an interview, tomorrow, at their Darwin office. John told M that he would see if they had a job for her, too – she said she was definitely not interested! Funny how he seemed to take more notice of her – a little, at least.
I was really quite ambivalent about this possible job. I was looking forward to a leisurely run home, being tourists down the Centre again. I really did not want to be working until almost Xmas. I was rather suspicious of it all because it seemed too hasty, too easy, not enough questions asked. Like us – Safety Officer and Site Clerk? Really?
After lunch the three of us drove out of town, to Window on the Wetland and then to Fogg Dam.
Window was new since the years I was bringing students up here and was an information centre about the Adelaide River flood plains. The Centre was up on a hill – fairly important in a flood plain area – so it looked out over the wetlands – which were quite dry at this time of year!
We browsed the information displays for a while, but without the wet component of wetlands, there was not all that much to look out on – just dry flat land.
Moved on to Fogg Dam. We parked at the start of the causeway that crossed the Fogg Dam wall. We were not sure that we were allowed to drive over it. Was not a very substantial looking structure.
Slathered ourselves with anti-bitey creams, then walked across the causeway, keeping a very close watch for any signs of crocs, given the several warning notices that were there.
It was about a 3kms return walk, to go across the dam wall and on to the Pandanus Lookout. It was really pretty, with prolific bird life – so many egrets, assorted duck varieties, waders of various descriptions.
The Fogg Dam was originally built, in the 1950’s, to irrigate rice growing at nearby Humpty Doo. I explained to M and John how every magpie goose in the Top End decided that they liked baby rice plants, and that was the end of that scheme. It made a superb wetland area, though!
Egret and Magpie Geese
After we returned back across the dam wall, did the 2.2kms Woodlands to Waterlilies walk, which was also really pleasant and interesting.
Reflections on the walk
Then, back to Darwin after a most enjoyable day.
John and M played bowls in the morning, at the Darwin Club.
I did the washing, read some more of the papers, and just relaxed.
After lunch, M was meeting up with her friend. John and I lazed about camp.
Went shopping for some foodstuffs, and bought newspapers.
Had lunch at the food court at Casuarina.
Refuelled Truck at Casuarina – $1.36cpl.
Reading the papers occupied much of the rest of the day.
Oh dear, John had gone back into work mode – just when I was enjoying being a tourist again.
He saw an ad tacked up in the camp kitchen, wanting workers for the coming mango harvest season, for farms and sheds at Humpty Doo. He phoned the given number and expressed an interest in sorting/packing work – and thus had us put on the work list. All that prior experience – all six weeks of same – seemed to count for something!
Darwin localities
Darwin localities
Then, in the afternoon, he saw an ad in the Darwin paper – for a Safety Officer/clerk for a Territory based company. The ad stressed that the work was in a remote location. He was intrigued. Think I’d had enough of “remote” for the time being. I was sure I preferred mangos!
I cooked a roast lamb dinner for all of us. It felt slightly strange, to be cooking “normal” food again.
Back into town where I wanted to check out a couple of aboriginal art galleries.
The first of these was a let-down, both in terms of the type of offering and the prices set. We were not tempted by anything.
I was much more impressed at the Framed Gallery. Unfortunately, could not afford any of the several works that I liked. But bought a pair of earrings – silver Lightning Man figures – for $112. That was a lot for earrings, but I love the Lightning Man legend as depicted at the Nourlangie rock art site in Kakadu, so just could not resist these. I was sure no one else I meet at home would have anything like them.
We returned the little Colt, which had been great to zip around town in, and got Truck back. Whatever else one can say about the Defender, it definitely does not zip in city traffic! Just hoped it really was finally fixed.
Went out again for tea. Funny that I could not get too enthusiastic about cooking, myself!
Went to Yots Greek Restaurant, at the Cullen Bay Marina. This had been recommended by M’s friend who lived at the Marina, and she came too. Although the food was very pleasant, it was expensive – $120 for the two of us!
Cullen Bay Marina and surrounding apartment buildings
Today was our wedding anniversary – 15 years. The time had gone quickly, but we had packed a lot into it.
M’s Troopy was booked in for a service in the morning, so we collected her from the service centre, almost right in the centre of town. Then went to breakfast at the Cool Spot. M had not been there before.
From there, it was on to the Darwin Bowls Club, where we did three hours of practice. In my case, it was sorely needed.
Lunch was at the Casuarina shopping centre food court – but with restraint, in anticipation of this evening.
Took M back to pick up the Troopy.
Went to Mindil Beach Markets, at about 4pm. Our idea was to get in and get parked before the crowds that would come for the sunset, but it was already starting to get busy. Wandered about, checking out stalls. Did not see anything that I was tempted to buy.
Eventually, we bought from the many and varied food stalls, for tea. Now there we found many tempting offerings, unlike the general stalls!
We sat on the beach and watched the sun go down – as one does at Mindil Beach.
The sunset did not disappoint. A couple of passing small boats added to the scenes.
It was about 8pm when we headed back to the van.
Decided that I find the Mindil Markets just a bit too crowded and frenetic for my taste, these days.
We left early, to take Truck to Landrover, for a new assessment and eventual fix. We were lent a little Mitsubishi Colt for the duration – no charge for this, since they hadn’t fixed the clutch problem last time. We appreciated that.
Hidden Valley site – our en-suite building at back, complete with our own clothes line
M was going to do her own thing this morning, while we did assorted mundane things. I think washing figured large on her agenda.
After leaving Truck, we went to the Cool Spot for breakfast. It was really pleasant – almost decadent – sitting on the veranda, in the morning’s warmth, looking out over the sea.
We went to Casuarina shops. I found a place that could cut my hair, with little waiting, at a reasonable price. The cut was adequate.
We found an optometrist where John had his eyes tested. Two new pairs of glasses would be needed – one for normal use and one for close up work, as per usual. He ordered these – they would be ready for collection on Friday week. We knew we would be here until at least then, because the Rumble in the Jungle Bowls event was not until 19th.
Went back to the van for lunch, after doing a grocery shop.
In the afternoon, we all drove into the city centre. Took Tiger Brennan Drive, which we could get onto easily, not far from the caravan park. This was the closest thing Darwin had to a freeway and allowed traffic to avoid the heap of traffic lights and slower going of the Stuart Highway.
Darwin was still small enough to be able to get a parking spot not too far from the central Mall.
I wanted to stroll the Mall, looking at the tourist oriented shops, with a view to getting Xmas presents for the family. There was no shortage of places to look at, though the merchandise was pretty repetitive.
Bought two rubbery crocodiles, some 25cm long, for my two grandchildren. I remember my son having one, as a little boy – could not remember where it came from. He loved it and had to have “Fierce” at bedtimes. I hoped the two I bought today might become as loved.
John bought a polo shirt with a Darwin logo, and me a T shirt with a small, stitched logo. We bought a couple of stubby holders, and two somewhat risque souvenirs for son and my brother.
M did some similar shopping for her family members.
We walked around some of the central streets, just browsing.
At a shop called House of Pearls, John bought me a pair of pearl earrings that I liked. They were dangly ones, with several tiny pinky coloured pearls – freshwater mussel ones? – on long wires. Rather “different” , for $50.
After a sojourn back at the van, we all drove back to town, to the Stokes Hill Wharf, for a very nice seafood dinner. The set up there was that a number of hawker style food outlets had been set up in one of the former shipping buildings. Seafood predominated in both Asian and Australian establishments. The procedure was that one bought their food, then found a spot at one of the tables outside, on the wharf apron, and ate, overlooking the sea. Very relaxed, cool, enjoyable, and very pretty at night.
It had been a day of being tourists, which was very pleasant to do. We were able to enjoy Darwin, without a heap of business to see to and without having to head out of town on a long drive at the end of the day.
This Adventurous Age 