NT Update

NT Update to finish off 2009

Darwin city seen from Mandorah

We have been a bit slack this year in updating our blog, but despite appearances, we have been busy and done a fair few cool things. Here are a few snaps of our year.

Mandorah jetty and lunch at pub - the only attractions of Mandorah aside from the beer! (or you could call this the 'typical NT experience')







Work Hard, Play Hard NT-style

In May, after doing a job in Katherine with Invision Design & Joinery, Craig and his workmates spent a few days camping on a cattle station SE of Katherine.

Cattle station billabong

Relaxing, fishing and hunting - all the things boys like to do (it's a tough life working hard in the Territory!)

Brad...

and his barramundi

Not too worry, just a freshwater croc
(note: bottom jaw missing, maybe a fighter??)






Grilled freshwater prawn called 'cherubin'. Definitely a 5-star camping menu!

Brad & Justin with dinner

Litchfield

Litchfield camping trip with some of Elisabeth's med mates. Great camping by a freshwater creek at Walkers Creek Campground. Despite a bit of a hike with too much camping gear, it's worth the haul as every site has its own waterhole and little waterfall to swim in.

Claudia, Matt, Lucinda and Sheree

Perhaps a few too many tents for one site, but we had fun













Pete and his G&T

Enjoying a morning swim at campsite 7 1/2

BBQs

We enjoyed a few BBQs in our backyard throughout the year.

A few drinks with med mates for Vanessa's birthday

Brigid, Vanessa and Theresa

Groote Eylandt

For the June long weekend (and Craig's birthday), Craig and I were treated to a flight out to Groote Eylandt and a weekend at the new Dugong resort. Not much happening there for tourists yet, but it was a lovely weekend of relaxation and good food.
Check out http://www.nt.gov.au/business/services7ce7.html?cat5id=100

Sunrise flight over Kakadu

Enjoying the pool at Dugong Resort
(subtitle: trying to time a self-portrait across the pool)

Enjoying a 9-hole round of golf at Alyangula Golf Course







Unfortunately, surrounding beauty distracts from the game (a good excuse for Lis' score of 94...)

Fishing off Dugong Beach

Groote Eylandt seen from the plane on the flight home


Billabong

Craig managed a few trips to our favourite tourist destination - Corroboree Billabong. Always gorgeous, and somewhat eery at sunrise.

Ben, Jo & Theresa in the distant fog

Brigid wetting a line

Visitors

We also enjoyed a few visitors up to Darwin during the dry.

In March Michael came up for a visit and some end-of-dry-season fishing (unfortunately no pictures to prove the size of the fish he caught...). In August, Craig's cousin Matt & Pam came up for a lovely week-long escape from the Victorian winter.

Sunset drinks at the Ski Club
(one of a number of sunset drink locations...)

Of course we made the mandatory trip to Litchfield's termite mounds

Magnetic termites above, Cathedral termites below

Then back to Walker Creek, checking out campsite number 1 this time.

Wild orchids and ancient cycads

Florence Falls

Jabiru eyeing off freshwater croc at the Territory Wildlife Park

Fresh mudcrab feast

Typical dry season Darwin sunset

Camping at Katherine Gorge

Northern rock hole without the waterfall

Katherine Gorge Boat Cruise

Aboriginal rock art

A 'freshie'

Edith Falls

Matt & Pam's afternoon dip

Back at Corroboree
(nice photos courtesy of Matt)

Water buffalo

Brolgas

Larger Salty

A visit from a new Vanuatu mate, Elias in November got us a few pics of a typical Darwin wet season experience - the sunsets and lightning storms.

Lightning over our car port

Storm out to sea off Lee Point

Darwin R&R

Hanging out at Berry Springs with med mates

Hadley, Vanessa and Brigid

Craig's workmates are keen into their fishing so Craig feels obliged to help them enjoy it.

Boating out from Darwin harbour

Craig showing off his 3 tunas caught on the 1 line

Last weekend camping before the wet really sets in. This time exploring Crab Claw Island with Vanessa and Hadley. http://www.crabclawisland.com.au/

Lovely spot, though perhaps the December build-up is a tad too warm for camping! Pool and AC, or a good fan definitely required.

Tidal flats and mangroves

At low tide there's a natural gravel walkway out to a rocky reef. Unfortunately it's easy to get caught out by a fast incoming tide in croc-infested waters...

These photos were taken only about 8 minutes apart!

Graduation!!!

On December 4th Elisabeth finished her last ever day of medical school, then headed down to Adelaide with the rest of her class to enjoy a week of graduation events and reunions. Four years went incredibly fast, and as of December 16th I am officially Dr. Robin!

Class of 2009
(on steps of Flinders Plaza - I'm in red 3 from right in front row)

NT Clinical Group

Saying the Physician's Oath

Craig: 'The closest I get to a uni degree'

Gowned up in front of Adelaide's Torren's River

So that was our year!

Best wishes to all, Craig and Elisabeth

Note: Next year Elisabeth starts as an Intern in Darwin's Royal Darwin Hospital, so don't get sick in Darwin for a few months and expect continued delays in blog updates...