Update 24 September 2005
Well, its been a while. I feel like a wrung out dish rag at the moment. Covered more than 2,000 Km in the last 3 days, quite a lot of that on single lane roads with oncoming Roadtrains to make life interesting. More on that later.
In Darwin, Mitchell Street is the bar, outside eatery, touristy street and that is where I headed for dinner. Quite a pleasant area. The next day I had a few problems connecting to the internet but once I was properly connected I managed to get a fair bit done.
In the afternoon I visited Crocodyllus Park, an interesting experience. Saw some crocs being fed and was given a guided tour of the complex and an explanation of crocodile behaviour.
Back to Mitchell Street again for the evening meal and blow me down if I didn't see a red clubbie drive down. I've mentioned it in the Ozclubbies chatline so might find out who it was. http://ozclubbies.com.au
I did some more internet stuff on Sunday and caught up with emails as well. In the afternoon I went to the Aviation Heritage Museum. Had a guided tour around (the outside) of a B52 bomber. Only one of two on display anywhere in the world. This was an interesting hour or so for a military and aviation enthusiast. A Mark 8 Spitfire demonstrated again that it is one of the best looking aeroplanes ever made.
I also saw a home built ultralight that shows good promise as a new project after I get back home.
The next day I headed off to Kakadu. I have covered this part of the trip as a separate update. Stay tuned. Will it happen this week?
After a day and a half in Kakadu It was back to driving again. I spent the night at a place called Larrimah, about 200 Km south of Katherine. The next day I headed south to Daly Waters and turned East on the Carpentaria highway towards Borroloola. I soon discovered that this was a one lane road which made life interesting. I have never had passing and/or overtaking etiquette on a one lane road explained before, but it didn't take long to learn. Road Trains have right of way! They are about as maneuverable as the Queen Mary and would create so much dust and stones damage as well as the rear most trailer swaying all over the place that it is just common sense to let them have the road. besides who's going to argue. Not me when my head is level with the hub of their wheels. Us mere mortals identify imminent doom bearing down on us, grit our teeth, say a few choice swear words, slow down, pull right off the road and stop. Wait for the Road train to go past. You're too worried about your own survival to worry about whether he has seen you or acknowledged you. Once he has gone you then resume your idyllic road trip. Once or twice is OK but when you have a run of these every 10 Kms or so for a while the thrill of it all soon palls.