Darwin is living up to being a great place, thanks to our awesome mates the Perkins family. This week has been another fantastic and busy one. We have conquered more school work with Boo whilst having some mini tantrums. Meg on the otherhand has been a little better now that she sits down with her workbook and does some school work with us. Getting a bit sick of this school work thing, but the end is near with only another few weeks to go before we stop for Boof and Nikki visiting then off to Bali.
So mid week, on Wednesday, Sal and l thought we'd reward the kids by taking them to Leanyor Waterpark. Now this is why l am falling for Darwin, for one they have great outdoor waterparks, and two, this one is free!!! Can yoy believe it?? So we packed a picnic lunch and snacks and caught the brilliant public bus transport (only costs $2!) and arrived by 10:30am. The kids had no idea where we were going, so as you can guess they were so excited when they saw we were at the waterpark. We all had a blast and laughs playing under the big splash bucket, going down the water slides and paddling in the huge wadding pool. They had these three huge waterslides in the park (again free!) and Meg got terribly upset when she was too short for the minimum height. After a few tears and a dropped lip she sat with me and we watched the big kids, including Sal, race down the slides. Boo was so adventurous and eager, going down the fast red slide on a rubber dingy with Sal. You could hear them both screaming down when eventually they appeared out the dark hole with a huge wash of water ahead of them. After a bit, l took Meg to the smaller kiddie slid and raced down with her. We were all like drowned rats after 4 hrs and headed back to the caravan park, not after stopping for a paddle pop on the way out. The kids had a fantastic day, and Sal and l enjoyed having a little fun too!!!
The rest of the week went quick and we totally enjoyed the end of day drinks a tad too much!!! Was a bit funny cause come 3pm Sal and l were like "surely its time for a drink" (hahaha). This warm weather is great but it is also just too easy to enjoy a few drinks at the end of the day. But having said that, this is where Sal and l are having our best ideas after a few drinks. So Fathers Day is this Sunday and we were both stuck on what to get Marty and Aaron and after having our chats we both came up with the best pressie. We are going to send the boys out on a charter fishing half day trip. We told the boys, who both usually would have said 'no', and they were both keyed up. We reckon cause its cause they both have someone to go with, not on their own. Anyway, the day should be good, even if l have to work the morning.
After l finished work on Saturday, we set off on our 'girls night out', leaving the boys to head to the Darwin Speedway. They were keyed up, especially seeing us girls werent gonna be tagging along. Charlotte, Meg and Holly were very excited to be heading out on a 'girls only' night out. We headed into town to Stokes Wharf and had some fish n chips. Now l had been hanging for this forever and was so sad when it didnt live up to expectation. But oh well, at least l didnt have to cook or do the dishes. We sat on the wharf, overlooking the ocean and watching the sun disappearing, when the girls decided they'd had enough and fed the seagulls some chips. We ran into Bree, Adam and Maisy (another travelling family from the park) and we got so chatty that we had to run as it was getting late and we had plans. We headed to the Deckchair Outdoor Cinema for our movie night. The girls were all very excited, we were there to see Brave, a kids flick. We got our treats, Sal and l opting for a mini bottle of wine, and got our seats. I now know why people take pillows cause the deckchairs, although look the part, arent too comfy. We all had a great night and the movie was fantastic. Boo got a bit scared and for the first time ever, cried over a movie for being too scary. I think it was just due to the loudness of the movie along with the story line, but at least l got cuddles with her. After the movie we headed back to the park, the girls were beat. Marty and the boys got back from the speedway 30mins after we got home, having had a great night out.
On Sunday, l arrived home after yet another good shift in ED at the hospital to find that the girls had been good for Sal while she was babysitting. The boys had left at 10am for their fishing charter. Sal and l had a swim and cooled down before the boys got home a tad disappointed. They hadnt caught any fish that could be kept, Aaron was pretty chuffed though as he caught two all up having bet Marty who caught only one. The boys described it as 'a good boat ride!!' At least they had some time out to chill l suppose, l still reckon it was a good $130 spent. After they got home we all got ready to go to the Mindle Markets. I was very excited as we hadnt had a chance to get to the markets again since our shortened trip in a month ago with Bronny and Johnny. We checked out the food sussing what we were going to get and also watched this awesome didgeridoo guy and drummer. They were amazing, with upbeat didge playing and the crowd all got into it dancing. The local aboriginal kids crowded around and danced at every chance, they were all up close and getting there spots to see this band, even sitting up in the trees!! We found our patch of grass and put our blankets up and everyone took turns to go get our food. Like normal, Marty kept to the bland aussie food and had a burger while l had some chicken rice paper rolls with this amazing fresh mint and honey sauce. I also finally got to have my pad Thai!! Loved it and you'd think l would be full, well to be honest, l was stuffed but l finished up with some poffertjes (mini dutch pancakes). I was so full after it, sick full. But man the food is amazing at this market. The girls had some dagwood dogs and chips, plain janes must take after their dad! We watched the sunset, along with a few other hundred people. Amazes me how many people come to the beach to watch the sunset. Unfortunately the sunset wasnt too great but was still great to finally see!! That great red ball of sun falling off the edge of the water is always amazing to view, even though it was a little hazy. Once the sunset, we were treated to an amazing fire show. This guy had been fire performing all over the world for more than 20 years and he was amazing. He used chains, rope, swallowed fire, danced with fire and did some quirky funny skits. Totally amazing and classic show, the girls were amazed!! The girls also had a great time at the markets playing with the hippie circus gear, juggling balls, playing with the rope balls and hula hoops. Overall, lm going to say probably one of the best fathers days Martys ever had!! We got to spend it with a great family and this was another fantastic weekend in Darwin!!
Wonder what the next week will lie in store for us??? If its anything like this last week it will be filled with laughs, mates and good times. However, it is starting to heat up and getting a little sticky. Hope the build up holds off until we leave. Only 3 weeks left.....
Bell Xxx