Return to Civilisation....

We stayed at Lee Point C'van park as it was just around the corner from Peter Miller's house. We were really looking forward to seeing him again and couldn't wait to hear all about his adventures in France. So hard to believe that it is almost 2 years since we last had dinner. The Cajun spiced salmon & vegies were just wonderful and desert really decadent. We had a great night sharing stories and sparkling wine as we christened the redeveloped deck. Love those lights! All too soon it was time to say goodnight and head back to our patch of grass for our last night on the road.

As always it rained overnight but had no impact on us this time and the morning dawned warm & dry once more. We had a quick look at Lee Point before heading off East Point Reserve. We had one more bird on 'our have to find' list and it was here in the Monsoon forest walk the the Rainbow Pita was supposed to be found. I was beginning to think that this was going to be another hooded parrot story when all of a sudden Bill spotted the elusive little creature and proceeded to stalk him. The Rainbow Pita is a very colourful ground bird and even though we didn't manage to get much of a look at him at least we can say at least we saw it. In comparison the Rainbow Bee Eater we found a little earlier was a much better subject almost posing for his portrait. From East Point we went on to Winellie where we were going to have lunch at THA to celebrate Greg's Birthday. Virginia had made him a Tiger cake, very cute, and they were having a bar-b-que lunch for him. All very yummy though I have to say the Crocodile sausages are not something I will try again. I'll stick to watching them in the billabongs. After lunch Bill stayed to have a meeting (work) with Nolan & Greg and I went home with Virginia & Toby. We had a great afternoon catching up and watching the rain which had started at lunch. I have never seen such heavy rain, even the pool overflowed. Bill picked me up a little later and we made our way back to our 'driveway home' at Josie's & Nolan's. It was good to see them again and once again they spoiled us with a bar-b-que dinner and we had a great night catching up on all that had happened during the last 2 weeks. And even though our 'turtle' had been very comfortable, I was very excited about being able to sleep in a 'real' bed again.

The next morning we were up bright & early to visit Parap Markets. We all bought breakfast and then we drove to the foreshore to eat it. Bill & I could not go past the banana pancakes & watermelon juice. It was a beautiful morning and what better way to start the day than breakfast with friends looking at the spectacular view that is Darwin Harbour. Leaving the harbour we stopped at the Botanic Gardens for one last look for the Barking Owls. This time there was a Children's modelling class doing a photo shoot and while kids were in abundance, owls were not. Oh well, nothing else for it now, we have to come back for the owls and the hooded parrots.

Our last stop was at Dripstone just near Nolan's place. The coastline here is rocky and with the tide out this morning you could walk for miles if you wanted too. We would have loved to but had to get back to clean the van. The 'turtle' was going back today. It was a sad moment when we had to say goodbye to our little home of the last 2 weeks. As I said earlier this whole trip was a bit of a test run to see how we liked 'camping' Grey Nomad style. We both loved our time away and can't wait to do it all again.

We spent Saturday afternoon with Virginia, Greg & Toby having a drink or three before all heading off to have dinner at the Trailer Boat club.
The plan was too see one last sunset with dinner. With the storm clouds brewing it was a bit of a race as to whether the sun would set first and dinner finished before the rain arrived. We won, just. The sunset was lovely and we did just manage to eat the last of our dinner before we had to head for cover as the rain fell once more.

A even earlier start the next morning as we had a 7.15 flight to catch. We said goodbye to Josie & Nolan and a huge thank you for all their help & advice along the way. We arrived home safe & sound mid afternoon and after unpacking it was time to get the washing machine going and get ourselves organised for work the next morning. And so for the first time in over 2 weeks when the alarm went off there was no spectacular gorge or beautiful wetlands to explore. I have to say it was a bit of a challenge to get out of bed that first morning. Still there was only 4 days to go before Easter and I reckon we can just about cope.

until Easter.........