Today could pretty much be described in three words: We went shopping. That’s pretty much the extent of it. Yep, we got up, walked the dogs, then locked them in the van for the bulk of the day, while we went swanning around the shopping centre. Not just any shopping centre mind you, but Northern Territorys biggest shopping centre!

See the resemblance?

Spotted at the shops today, ‘Baby Beast’!

Home to a whopping 200 stores (sarcasm alert), Casuarina Square had us entertained for much of the day. All under one air conditioned roof, Bec was jubilant in the cool. Especially since our power saving experiment of switching the air conditioner in the van off over night resulted in a dismal failure.

I had suggested the great switch off, after being outside for a short time, where the nighttime temperature felt relatively cool. So we threw open all of the windows, vents and door, but the lack of any breeze to thrust air throughout the van to help reduce the heat inside, saw the interior temperature hover around ‘too hot’ all night. As a result, Bec woke up unrested and grumpy. I hadn’t found it to be too bad, but I figure that Becs need for a goodnights sleep to prevent her becoming savage, and therefore my own well being and sanity is definitely worth the extra couple of dollars worth of power to run the air con overnight.

Anyway, with our shopping expedition completed, and our arms laden with our spoils, we headed back to the van. I say our arms laden, because the Northern Territory is supporting the push to become plastic bag free and therefore you either need to bring your own carry bags, or pay for a new one each time. Generally, they are 15^C each, an expenditure which we hadn’t budgeted for, so we’re trying to make do with as few as we can manage. I think we have about 6 now, stowed carefully in the rear of ‘The Beast’, where we keep throwing them for the next time we need them, and then forgetting all about them.

Back ‘home’, which is what we have come to know the van as, where ever we may be resting our heads, we changed into swimmers and headed down to the pool. Due to the layout of the conjoined parks, we have to walk from our plot, across the neighbouring park, to the small oasis that is the pool area. It felt even smaller today, as it was hosting a congregation of like minded caravanners, all floating about in the warm water.

By now, we have decided that despite the early issues, we are pleased with our choice in staying at this paticular park. What we have noticed though, is that it is not an overly friendly park. Other places we have stayed, a quick afternoon walk can turn into a wander of epic proportions as you stop to chat at each caravan you pass by. A swim in the pool at some parks, would see you striking up in depth conversations with utter strangers. Here though, a simple nod of the head is about as exciting as it gets, and while a “hello” or a “g’day” might be called across the road while out walking, any extension of the conversation is more an exception than the rule.

The pool was no different, with groups of people littered about in the water talking, but not overly welcoming of the two young upstarts that we are. We followed suite, and kept to ourselves, as we cherished the chance to relax in the blessed warm water of the pool.

Upon returning to the van and cleaning up, we got dinner started. Not that we cooked what we had planned to have. The damned fridge is working too well now, and the chicken we removed from the freezer yesterday, is still frozen solid such is the minimal temperature within. I much prefer that option though, over the oven like temperatures we’ve seen in the past. Either way this fridge will be the death of me.

Much to Bethanys dismay, we cooked and ate dinner without taking them out for a walk this afternoon. She has come to expect her afternoon walks and naturally, she didn’t realise that we had planned to take them out after dinner tonight, rather than before. In protest, she lay on the bed, totally ignoring us, sulking like a toddler who isn’t allowed to have any candy, or maybe even like I do when I don’t get my own way. She definitely takes after me!

You should have seen her perk up the moment we finished eating and mentioned the ‘W’ word. Bouncing around the caravan like a kangaroo until we managed to get her leash on, she bound out of the van ready to go exploring.

We have found a nice long stretch of lawn down by the front of the park, where we can give them a good run. Not that either of them have been interested in much more than a slow amble in the heat of the day, which is when we usually manage to get them out. Today was a different story though, as being that bit later, the sun was sinking and the warmth wasn’t so biting. It was actually Alvin who perked up first, bucking against his lead. Like the reins on a horse, I gave the leash a flick of the wrist, and almost before I could even get up to speed, both Alvin and Bethany were striking across the grass at full tilt. This was much to the mirth of Bec and a couple of the other park residents, who were watching on in amusement, as I was pulled along behind the dogs like an out of control water skier. It was an effort to keep up, as the leash stretched to its fullest, and we barreled about the lawn, streaking beneath the sprinklers and zig zagging between the trees.

Back at the van, Bethany was over her episode of sulking, having had her walk, while both of them sat back on the bed, out of breath with their tongues lolling about as they panted heavily, but happily. After that run, I wasn’t far behind.

Happy Pooches.

Hey, you might have already noticed, but I have managed to update our map, to show us having arrived up here in Darwin. Unfortunately, my photographic updates to Flickr haven’t been so punctual, but keep checking back, because I’ll get there eventually. And there are some ripper shots from our time in Kakadu to be seen.

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