Finally! After months, even years of talking about, the day has finally come. We're finally doing it! After spending Friday night at Rob's place on the river with most of our closest friends, it's time for us to leave our beloved Bauple and start our travelling adventures. It was hard saying goodbye to Mum (Carol) on Saturday morning, she did well to hold back the tears. I wasn't sure if she was sad because we were leaving or because Nathan is due home from Canada next month. I guess we'll never know

So we head to Dad's (Lance) on Saturday morning. Ian and Mum (Lindy) kindly offered to drive us down. I'm sure Jodi and Lindy went through a box of tissues in the back between Bauple and the Coast. We organised to meet up with Matto, Julia and Niki at the Ettamogah Pub for lunch. It just so happened that Paige and Mark were up for the weekend so we caught up with them as well. It was unusual being at the Etta somewhat alive. Normally we stop in there on our way home from BDO or Splendour feeling like crap, trying to digest lunch even though we know our stomach's can hardly cope with water.

So we get to Dad's around 5-ish and have dinner and a few drinks Saturday night. Chris helped us out emensly by taking our unaccommanied luggage with him to his work for us. We had to re-pack our bags on Saturday night, we just had too much s*** in them.

Sunday morning, up early and leave to the airport around 7.30 - Lindy, Ian & Jodi in 1 car - Lance, Sandra & Brenden in the other. It was pissing down when we arrived and to make matters worse, fkn Qantas decided to install those self check-in counters at the airport. Just to add to the s*** fight we were going through, they also changed their baggage rules so you're only allowed 1 piece of luggage. Cost me $30 to put our backpack in checked luggage. Fkn Useless!!!! The plane was delayed by about 25 mins but it gave us a chance to spend some more time with the parents before we left. Emma (Ian's daughter) also met us at the airport so it was great to catch up with her, even if it was only briefly. And so we finally start to board - the tears start with Lindy again although she did better then what I thought she would. Sandra got a bit teary as well. Don't know what all the fuss was about, Lindy and Ian are heading off travelling in a few months and Lance and Sandra - well they're never home!

So we flew into Darwin around lunch. Qantas managed to get all our luggage there in 1 piece, at least they did something right. Got a taxi from the airport to the backpackers. We stayed at Melaleucca on Mitchell St right in the heart of Darwin. Got something to eat and headed to Mindil Beach Markets. This place is awesome! Heaps of food and stalls. Brenden bought a hat made out of recycled truck canvas. Cost him $42 so it was bit of a rip off considering is was effectively rubbish. Then we passed out on Mindil Beach and watched the sunset - Beautiful!!!! We're definately coming back to Darwin...........