My Visit back to Sydney 17th - 22rd July 2012

I flew back into Sydney on the night of the 17th and I was met by my girls Mychele and Sharon and grand daughter Jenna... It was just awesome to see them all again after over 6 months of being away...

I stayed at Sharon's for the first 2 days as I wanted to spend time with Jenna before she left to visit with her Dad... most of the time was spent with Doctor's appointments etc..

In between appointments I was able to go and see my other grandchildren and my Son Darren and daughter-in-law Jenny...the children were so excited to see me...as I was them...They have grown up so much especially little Adelyn...

Out to dinner with Sharon & Jenna

Stayed with Mychele for the rest of my stay..Sharon had to work one of the days... but we spent all the available hours together the 3 of us...In between more appointments etc...

Had some special moments with my "Grandbird" Banjo... he helped Mychele and I do the dishes...

Saturday 21st July 2012

Spent some more time at Darren's with the kids... they all had a mad half hour with Daddy on the floor...

So beautiful

In the evening it was time for the adults to party !!! We all went to Luigis Restaurant for my 64th Birthday and Darrens 37th Birthday...Jenny made me a lovely birthday cake...

A big thank you to my children Mychele Sharon Darren & Jenny also my bestie Pat and her friend Glen and Michael for making Darren's & I Birthday special...

But all good things must come to an end... I had to fly out the next morning back to Darwin ... but the best part of that was meeting my darling man at the other end...he was missed VERY much...

Results of Doctors visits: I have to have another biopsy as they found another lump and I have to return to Sydney at the end of September for surgery to have the other mass lump removed.

The rest of our days in Darwin

11th July Morning coffee in Darwin.

We met up with our friends Terry and Lorraine,  who we first met at Litchfield National Park, for coffee...

While walking back to the truck we spotted a beautiful bird singing in the large fig trees..in the park.

Fig Bird ( Northern Race)

12th July Mindil Beach Markets.

Mindil Markets are very popular ...they are held every Thursday night...

The Caravan Park organises a coach to take you to and from the markets as parking is impossible.. which we found out when we got there ... It would have been impossible for us to park our trucks...

The highlight is watching the sunset on the beach... the markets are just off the beach... I have never seen so many people sitting on a beach waiting for the sunset... They make a night of it bringing their chairs and picnic blankets.. and enjoy dinner from the literally hundreds of food stalls at the markets...

13th July Lunch with John & Iris

Friday we got a nice surprise, John and Iris who we were parked next too in Camden last Christmas contacted us and said they were in Darwin...so we met up with them at the Sports club in Darwin for lunch and caught up with all the gossip from back home...was great seeing them again...It's amazing how many people we have met on our travels and continue to meet up with further down the track...

14th July BBQ 

We invited Terry & Lorraine over for a BBQ and we had a great night....

 I'm the only one in my mossie gear.. covered from neck to ankle...:(

 Lorraine checking out John's glow balls on his truck !!!

15th July HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRYSHA !!

Had a lovely birthday, started with morning tea with the gang ... Lois made savory cakes and I had to blow out my candle..

Lois and Michael bought me a lovely Zebra Rock... and Marie some very fancy nail files..John bought me a lovely waterproof watch and I finally got my "Stairway to the Moon " pendant John bought me in Broome...

Then followed by lunch at the Sports Club...

10th July 2012 Visit to Territory Wildlife Park

We had a day out at the Territory Wild Life Park today... not what we expected but it was a pleasant day.. although very hot and humid...

The park is quite large and there is a small train to take people around to the many aviaries, aquariums and enclosures, if you don't choose to walk.

Thought we would see lots of animals in their natural environment.. but we only saw a few..I enjoyed the walk around as all the paths led through the bush settings..

We first went through the Nocturnal House...but because it was so dark in there I didn't take any photos..


We  then moved on to the native birds show...which was informative...The Northern Territory has one of the largest populations of different bird varieties in Australia, and the park is home to parrots, water birds, eagles and many other native birds.

 Wedge tail Eagle

 Demonstrates how he cracks open eggs with a rock

 Lorrikeets

 Red Tail Black Cockatoo

 Beautiful bright red tail feathers seen when in flight 

 Jabiru

Lovely in flight 

 Pacific Baza

 Eagles Nest 

 Osprey eating fish

King Fisher

From there we went to the aquarium which we loved...

Barramundi

This is the closest we will ever get to a real crocodile...it was amazing seeing him up so close yet feeling safe he couldn't reach me.. wouldn't want to get caught in those teeth....

On our way out we check out the dingo paddock.. beautiful animal...