Day 161 – 23rd June 2018 – Darwin

Col cleaned and serviced the bikes and we took them for their maiden voyage since travelling half way around Australia on the roof of my car.  There was some serious dirt packed into those bikes, let me tell you.  In Darwin you don’t have to wear a helmet if you are over 18, so we opted for hats instead of helmets.  We avoid riding on the road.  We rode on a dirt track from the caravan park down to the Lee Point Walking Track that I did the other day.  There are quite a few mountain biking tracks through this park but we chose the easiest one as I am definitely not a mountain biker!  We then rode along the track I walked on but went much further.  It was a 20km bike ride by the time we got home, and it was not a particularly easy ride either.  The track was rough in parts and steep in parts, and there were a few sandy patches that caused you to come to an abrupt halt.  But it was an interesting and challenging ride and we both did enjoy it.  It took us about 3 hours in total for the round trip.  We rode through a beautiful mangrove boardwalk section that we both really enjoyed.  So different to the scenery and landscape in Adelaide.

We stopped in to have a look at the Darwin Surf Club.  Apparently they don’t get into the water much (not surprising considering how many things can kill you here!) but they do surf ski’s and rowing and those types of things.  I don’t know how anyone learns to use the surf ski if you can’t go into the water!  For anyone who has ever tried one you would understand what I mean.  You spend most of your time falling off and getting back on for a long time before you master it.  I assume they must have somewhere safe they can teach people to use them.  The idea of being on a surf ski in waters where there are salt water crocodiles, box jelly fish and irukandji does not appeal to me at all.  I would consider the rowing maybe as there is not much surf here.  Col is keen to get back into it, so I will try not to think of him on a surf ski out there!!!  The club was really friendly and beautiful.  There were hammocks and chairs scattered around a lush green lawn with shady trees overlooking the beach and the girl who was working in the coffee shop was very encouraging to come and join and get involved.  Will see what happens.

We did pass this sign on the way, pleased to say we went left

We then went down and checked out the Lee Point beach and there was an Aboriginal man walking in the shallow water with a spear doing some spear fishing and that was a cool sight, not something you see in SA!  There were also people swimming out there and that freaked me out.  Dave East is this the place you got caught when you were fishing and the tide came in and you had to swim to shore?

We followed the bike track around the point until we reached Buffalo Creek Boat Ramp.  There are salt water crocs in this area but people are all along the waters edge.  It is easy to see how you could be lulled into a false sense of security or just have a lapse in concentration as the dangers are not visible or obvious.  We watched people putting their boats in and out of the water and have come up with a way that I am comfortable with for getting in and out.  I don’t fancy standing around in the water holding the boat that is for sure!!