We went over to the camp band playing old stuff to an even older crowd. Jessy and Gema were in the van next to all the action.

Plan was to have a few drinks in the park to save money. So sitting on a park bench we were having a few laughs and spirits were high. Supplies ran out, so we agreed to go into town for the wet T shirt competion (not something that I was bothered about). Again we forgot to bring ID so were not allowed in. Instead we went to an Irish bar with the usual band playing and found a table in the corner. Out came the cameras and we all were having lots of fun taking pictures of each other. One pic involved standing up slightly in order to get the whole group in. A doorman came over and told me not to stand up. I couldn't believe it, I was not standing on a seat and only stood up for an instance with no one behind me.

This was the same place that I was warned about by the Aussies. Sure enough I was a marked man. When I went outside with Liz they came over and said that I was not to go back in for their favourite reason - being drunk. I did a volentary test - standing on one leg whilst touching my nose with my finger- which I did perfectly. With some pressure from a livid Liz the doorman backed down.

Walking back to the door, they stopped me from going back in. I just could not believe this place, I explained that I am 44 years old and visited over 50 countries, not once have I been either refused entry or been ejected for being drunk. I knew their minds had been made up so I walked across to a bar across the road (with doorman) and entered without any trouble. Here I met Derek who gave me a story about being accused of being drunk after only having one pint - he was a bit tired from driving.

Half an hour later when we went to get a taxi, I noticed the Irish bar was now closed (it was closing anyway).

I was having a good time, but it seems in the doormans eyes that you must be drunk. I may have been but I was certainly not disorderly.

These experiences are limited to the Irish bar. Both times I have been accused of being drunk I had no trouble getting into other bars guarded by doormen - even after explaining to the doorman what had happened so evidently they did not feel I was too drunk to go in. I am trying to not let it mar my Aus experience but it has certainly got my back up - they make me feel like an anti social trouble maker - rant over.

There is a dark cloud over Australia, although I have had trouble at only one bar, I suspect from all the stories I hear that this is common across the rest of Australia. I don't think that I will be drinking much here. I was letting my hair down because we havn't done so for ages.

Tomorrow, we turn our backs on Darwin when we head off in a hire car. It has been good seeing Si and meeting his friends but it is time to depart tainted Darwin.