As we hightailed our way towards Darwin we made contact with Nicks brother Tim and sister-in-law Joy. They were arriving in Darwin the following day and suggested we all stay at Berry Springs before they head out to Litchfield National Park. We found a delightful caravan park called Tumbling Waters. Although no powered sites were available we were able to set up in a bushy, grassy area with space all around us and a dry creek bed behind us. Zach was excited as there is a crocodile enclosure here with 12 fresh water crocs living in there, which are fed weekly, and he boldly announced to the owner, on arrival, "I'll look after your crocs for you."
And so the planning begins......the following day we drove into Darwin and checked out some options for a party venue. Some looked good but all would require a fair amount of set up, and were a distance from any caravan park. As we drove back towards Berry Springs we toyed with the idea of having the party at the restaurant at the caravan park. There were many questions to be asked, such as cost, menu, availability, the list goes on.
While we were discussing this, we received a message to say there was a road block and we couldn't get back. "There is a police manhunt for a guy who's done something really bad, can't get back to caravan park, come and join us at Noonamah Pub" the MSG from Kristy and Linda read. Wow (well actually I think I used another word). I googled news links in the hope of more information and yes this guy had done something bad - he had decapitated a man, was fully armed and had a background in military bush survival, his car had just been found on Cox Peninsula Rd (the road to our caravan park). So off to the Noonamah Pub it is to wait.
After a couple of cold drinks and a keen watch on any news updates we heard there maybe a back road we can reach the caravan park. The other option is staying at the local high school. We chose the back road and anxiously made our way back to the caravan.
Nick and I tried to mask our anxieties in front of the kids, but we did discuss staying together and all cramming into the van to sleep at night with the door locked, but we still went about organising Nicks Party and checking out the local sites.
Tim & Joy (Nicks brother and sister in law) arrived on the 26th and spent the day and night with us before heading out to Litchfield National Park. We all piled into the territory and drove out to Darwin Dam. Matt quickly spotted some Rainbow Beeaters and a Blue Winged Kookaburra, enjoying chatting to Aunty Joy about birds, while Abbey and Zach talked constantly to Uncle Tim. We walked across the dam wall and wandered down to the waters edge. There was a crocodile catching cage which enthralled Zach and Matt. Nick and Josh had a rock skimming contest. To set the scene, I have taken Abbey into the bush to do a bush wee, Matt was checking out the croc cage, Josh and Nick were skimming rocks, and Zach was sitting about 4 metres further around the water bank. All of a sudden Zach lets out a deathly scream. Running I wonder what has bitten him. He is holding his head unable to speak. Nick sheepishly comes over and I am still wondering what happened....... Nicks rock he was throwing to skim slipped as he threw it and hit Zach just behind the ear, leaving a small (2cm) split. Luckily we had two Dr's on hand (you are never off duty as a Dr) and I had some steri
Strips and some antiseptic. Zach recovered pretty quickly and turned to Nick (who was feeling pretty bad) and said "Dad you shouldn't throw stones it could hit someone. You say that all the time".
From Darwin Dam we went for a drive to Mandorah Jetty. Mandorah has some very high tides, and there is a ferry which travels between Darwin and Mandorah daily, so consequently the jetty has many levels, over half of which were covered in barnacles. There were quite a few people fishing, and we were intrigued with the way some were catching bait fish in a net. The only fish we saw caught was a sucker fish. It had a plate on the top of its head which is how it attaches to bigger fish and whales.
After farewelling Tim and Joy we continued organising Nicks party. If we were home I'm sure plans and details would have been able to be done over a period of time, organising the party and accommodation options for those coming up from interstate in 4 days was certainly a fun and interesting challenge.
Excitedly we await the arrival of our friends Ian Mason and Paul Schmidt (and Paul's daughter Freya). It will be really lovely to spend time with some friends, from home. (well technically Paul lives in Brisbane).
It's Thursday, my phone rings, "It's Jeremy" (Nicks brother) so Nick answers and a look of shock, excitement, appreciation, and astonishment is all over his face. After he hangs up Nick tells me Tim and Joy are flying Jerry up for the party. What an awesome surprise.
That evening, after wandering around the Mindal Markets, watching the sunset, enjoying chicken satays and noodles watching street performers, then visiting Jo and Pete Leonard (who had just got back from Bali, with lots of sunnies, clothes and jewelry for us) we headed out to the airport at 12:00 midnight to pick up Paul and Freya. By the time the plane landed, greetings, cuddles and kisses (mainly by Abbey and Freya) & baggage collected, we arrived home at about 2:15am. The Cox Peninsula Rd was not closed now but cars were all being stopped and searched. It was a bit daunting being confronted by a police officer with a semi automatic riffle ready to fire as they peer through the car, which has 8 passengers in a 7 seater car. After questioning why we were out at 2 am we were motioned on our way.
Ian arrived the next day, and hired a 4wd which proved to be very handy. Later that night Jerry arrived, and it was another 2am bedtime. At this rate we'll be asleep by party time tommorrow night.
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