Before we had even embarked on our adventure, we had tried to plan our itinerary in such a way that it would allow us to have plenty of lazy Sundays. A chance to have a sleep in, cook up a big breakfast, and catch up on world events by reading the weekend papers. We realised from the outset that it was never going to happen every week, but today was certainly going to be one of those days.

I was up before Bec, and left her sleeping soundly while I went and tracked down a Sunday paper. I managed to find not only a service station that had a couple of forlorn copies left, but also a camping store that was strangely open for business on a Sunday. It was one of the few stores that was open. It was a fortuitous sign, that they had the exact jockey wheel in stock that I have been searching for. I needed this to replace the one that we have, which has been slipping dangerously whenever we wind it up. It slipped of its own accord the other day, while we were in the van, dropping the front end of the van, only an inch or so, but violently enough to demonstrate that we were in dire need of a new one.

By the time I finally returned to the van, Bec was up and wondering where I had been. As it turns out, she hadn’t been sleeping as soundly as I had thought when I left, and was up and about not long after me.

Sitting down to a breakfast that was of large enough proportions that a serving platter may well have served me better than the dinner plate sized disc I had served it up upon, we spread open the papers, and devoured the news with a gusto. With everything else we’ve been getting up to, maintaining a grasp of current events has been fraught with difficulty. Apparently the world does indeed continue outside of our bubble of adventurous experiences.

Bethany pleads for her breakfast.

Whilst we had seen ourselves sitting beneath our awning to enjoy the warmth in the sunshine, whilst taking in the news and the sustenance of our fry up, the gusting breeze put paid to that idea. Had we tried, I am sure that the surrounding area would have soon resembled a tip, with sheets of newsprint lofting about like stray kites.

The things you find amusing when you’re stuck in the van.

Amid perusal of the papers and the feasting, we made time to catch up on what I shall simply refer to as ‘the housework’, although I’m sure all of my regular readers will know what I am really referring to by now. It was with excitement that we also learned that we would be hosting visitors from home while in Darwin. A few friends are flying all the way up to spend a few days with us. Fingers crossed, but we had better make sure we make it to Darwin on time now! Be a shame if we were running late! (I do say that with a healthy dose of sarcasm of course).

As is par for course in a caravan park, we also welcomed some of the new arrivals, although not before careful scrutiny of their van parking skills of course. It would seem that Bec and I aren’t nearly as poor as what I might make out, with another couple having all sorts of issues as they tried to line their van up. It is rather humorous to hear shouted instructions such as: “Come back, left hand down”, followed very soon after by: “No, I meant right hand. STOP. Go forward, we’ll try again.” Yes, it certainly seems like an omnipresent caravanners curse. We are now surrounded by other vans, as the park has filled to near capacity.

Despite the warmth, the wind saw us ensconce ourselves within the van, lounging on the bed with the dogs to watch another film. The film went longer than what we had expected, and by the time it was over, it was already time to prepare dinner.

The clear skies suggest another cold night.

Dinner done, and the kitchen cleaned up, more ‘housework’ had to be done, before we could hit the sack snuggling up for another frigid night and in readiness for a somewhat busier day tomorrow. We might even take in a local sight or two.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.