Sunday 13th July

Sunday in Darwin is something else. It all is very quiet until about 0930 then everyone comes out to play, so to speak. It was nice to be out cycling early this morning with next to no traffic and only a light breeze to contend with. I rode from where we are staying basically into Darwin CBD. It is not much bigger in land area than Ballina or Lismore CBDs except that there are multi storey buildings. A nice Mall in the centre with the usual array of alfresco cafes and others nearby. I did just on 50 kms this morning and I think I am still quite fit although there are no decent hills to test me out. There were numerous cyclists out on the road this morning. Remember Cadel Evans was born in Katherine in the Northern Territory so that is an encouragement to many up here.

After I returned from my ride, Richard, Rita, Prue and I went to the Sun City casino for a late breakfast. I did need it after my longer ride. The casino was very busy with the breakfast crowd not to mention the poker machines and Keno running nearby. The scenery from there was lovely with a view over the swimming pools out into the bay. The colour is very tropical.

When we finished breakfast, Prue and I decided to go into Darwin CBD for a daylight look around. Richard and Rita returned to do some work. We walked around the CBD discovering various tourist oriented shops. Prue had some photos printed of the Devil’s Marbles, south of Tennant Creek. She hopes to start to do the painting bit soon. She has sketched a few items so far. In the CBD there is the usual array of shops such as Rivers, Katies, Camera House along with many locally owned shops. While wandering we came across a fellow we met in the tourist car park in Katherine. He is hard to miss as he must be nearly 2 metres tall. We caught up on where we both had been and shared information. He is an engineer with a company that make up rubbish removal vehicles to go into many small aboriginal communities. He says that he has a long job ahead as he then attempts to train the local community how to use them.

After a coffee in the CBD we made a decision on what we would do for the afternoon. We went for a quick look at the Beer Can Regatta on Mindil Beach. The Markets were on again but at least the crowd was somewhat less. Then I dropped Prue at the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery while I went off to the Australian Aviation Heritage Museum adjoining the Darwin Airport. Its biggest piece is a Boeing B52 bomber donated to Darwin by the USA government. I cannot believe how massive it is especially when you see some other aircraft parked under its wings. There were represented such aircraft as the Auster, Sabre, Mitchell bomber, controversial Mitsubishi passenger aircraft, Australian designed and built Nomad as well as numerous types of ultra light aircraft. The Nomad (being restored) was used in the TV show “Flying Doctors”. Apparently, there are still more than 50 Nomads flying around the world and there will be a new lot from around 2010 to be built by Gippsland Aviation in Victoria.

There is a great graphic display along with a large display of uniforms and decorations and other aviation related items. It is another location to visit in Darwin. After that, I returned to pick up Prue and returned to our current location.