Time to see a couple of things we left untouched in last years visit . The ute needed some fresh fuel , so we headed into Coolalinga to fill up . On the side of the Stuart Hwy are memories of WW2 , there are airstrips that have been constructed during the war years , used to house Australian and American fighter planes . One of these strips is Strauss airfield - it also has a few replica cutouts that look like the real McCoy .
The replica's are right beside the runway and make for a different view as you drive along . There were many of these airstrips all the way down to Adelaide River , and also had associated bunkers for the planes and maintenance , control towers and housing . Interesting !!
Off for the fuel and out to the Cox Peninsular . We headed out here last trip as well , but didn't go to Dundee Beach last time - today was the day .
We drove through and past many burnt areas , new growth on palm trees and other trees looked really good . After about 110 klms we arrived at Dundee Beach , it overlooks the Timor Sea . The unsettled conditions made for interesting photos - huge cloud banks glowing white in the sun - but with that , there is humidity . The build up is starting early this year , so the weather people keep telling us . For the last few days it has looked like it was going to overdevelop and dump rain on us - only to have half a dozen spots and disappear - doesn't get any cooler though !! We did get a couple of storms at the park , causing a little bit of runoff on some sites up to ankle deep . The rain has been widespread with storm clouds dropping rain in isolated areas . You can be driving along , it's raining out in front of you , then your in it , and you will quite often just drive through the curtain of rain on the other side to dry roads !!
Anyway back to the beach , we had arrived at lunch time , so had our picnic overlooking the beach . There is a tavern & caravan park at Dundee Beach and a temporary boat ramp - the old one is getting revamped , with a break wall being constructed to offer some protection from the wind & seas . We watched as one boat was brought down with a tractor towing it to the water , and putting it in the water . The tides here go up & down about 7 - 8 metres , and it was pretty low when this boat went in - we watched them swim and push the boat in & off the shelf that was obviously concealed below the milky green water .
The rocks beside where we had lunch were interesting - volcanic rock - we didn't expect that !!
The markets were on and in full swing - the stall holders were all sitting down talking to each other , not too worried about the 4 tables in front of them - hope business was a bit brisker than when we arrived - mind you we didn't increase their bottom line either !!
It is one of those places where you need to be a fishing person - there isn't a lot of anything else to do - sorry , they do some quad bike tours , and there is the pub !!! There are many properties out here , so people do live here !!
The beaches are lined with coconut palms .
We drove back out and checked some of the other dirt roads that looped around . We found a campground and a track heading off to the west - we followed . Before long the rocky track had turned to sand , so we locked the hubs and continued , thinking it wouldn't last long - oooops - maybe not , here we were on a very sandy stretch that led down to the beach - stopped , blocking said track , and not going any further without some adjustment to tyre pressures !! Down to 18psi we reversed back a bit , before Lyn gunned it down onto the beach in low range . Turning around , we powered back through the sand , back onto firm ground - safe and sound - all a bit of fun really !! We drove back along the road in and found a nice shady spot under a large tree to pump the tyres back up again!!
Heading back , we encountered a shower or 2 on the way . Next stop was Crazy Acres Mango Farm for a mango smoothy - it was to die for !!!! We chatted to the owner for a while - it won't be long before they are closed for the season - their mangoes are a little behind the others - the weather has been a bit strange for them this season - apparently they need some cooler weather to set the flowers & fruit properly , and they had only had one overnight at 9 degrees and a couple of others at 14 degrees - not enough for them to react properly !!
Back to Berry Springs for a swim and a cool down - it was awesome until the rain started - I hear you saying , well your already wet , why not stay there , our clothes were sitting in the rain , so that was our reasoning We headed up and stood under the shelter of the toilet roof for about 10 mins , before heading back to the van . Day done , here's a map link :- https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vviARd0Bp6b02wbB8P7I0bXyMOU&usp=sharing
4/9/16
Awake with the birds again , mind you that is about 6:30am , and up at about 7am with some rain falling . That was good as it cooled the place down a bit . This is the view out the dining room window .
After breakfast we sat outside for a while , enjoying the cool damp conditions . Birds were going berserk in the nearby fig trees , this is one of the smaller ones .
We fiddled around taking care of some things and had lunch before heading into Darwin to meet Norman & Debbie ( Lyn's brother & his wife ) .
Getting in to Darwin , we went to Stokes Hill Wharf and drove around the city for a while . There wasn't a lot happening so we went round to Mindil Beach and parked the car - got a great spot right near the markets - easy in & out !! The markets weren't due to start till 4 pm - about 45mins away , but we wandered through and had a look and a sit down . Norm & Debbie arrived not long after , so we checked out the markets some more and chatted a lot more . There were some interesting stalls and lots of food stalls . This lady even had a light coming out the top of her head !!
Hahaha , got ya . Didgeridoo's were being played and sold .
There were a lot of interesting sights !!
We found some food and had tea , chatting all the time . Time had gone very quickly , so I suggested we talk & walk , over to the beach for sunset which was in a couple of minutes . It was nearly standing room only on the beach , this photo only showing one side , the other side was equally as populated , and that wasn't counting the people still wandering around the markets !!!
The sun was setting rapidly and there was a lot of cloud cover - it had potential !
We had a young lady twirling a batten down the beach - she was very visible from where we were .
Night gradually arrived , the markets looking good under the canopy trees , hordes of people still wandering around .
Leaving the markets , we dropped Norm & Debb off near their accomodation and then went for a couple of beers with them at the pub next door .
We've said our goodbyes and headed off into the night after a good day .
5/9/16
Today has been spent relaxing , swimming in the pool , and just chilling out - that's our lot for today as well , hope you enjoyed !!
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