Thursday...29 July

Went to the Mindl Beach markets tonite. Got there nice and early, had the pick of the parking spots, most important as the carpark is massive and there is litterally a cast of thousands. We parked next to the road so as to be able to just drive straight out onto the road at departure, no sitting in long queues just trying to get out of the area onto the road for us clever little black ducks. Sometimes having been there done that pays off!!! Had a nice time strolling amongst the stalls and oohhing and ahhhing over the exhibits. As always we were spoilt for choice for tea with dozens of food stalls from nearly every nationality, both near and far. At the start of the evening it was delicious having all those smells mixing together as they were cooking at each stall, but by the time we left it was beginning to be a bit noxious having so many flavours mixing together, and the heat of the day and the added heat of the crowds did not improve things. That said, everywhere I looked people were merrily eating so I guess it is an individual smell and tolerance thing. There was also a wide selection of entertainment/buskers which makes for good entertainment. One bloke makes music (almost) cracking whips so fast it sounds like a melody. Another plays several didgeridoos at once with drums accompaning him, sort of a modern territory instumental sound, a county and western wannabe and a modern group rounded off the choices and there was even a couple of aged indigenous folk sitting on the ground with their sticks singing a never never rhythm.
At sunset, us and several thousand of our close personal friends trooped down to the beach to watch the magnificent spectacle of the sun setting over the bay. A territory sunset is to be seen to be beleived, it is sooooo red and so stunning a display, it never ceases to amaze and is photographed by hundreds each and every night. No mucking around with this sun, one moment it is there just touching the water then suddenly it is gone. Perfect.
Once the sun had set we left the beach and the markets and dropped into Keiths sisters on the way home for a chat and a cuppa. Seems we are invited to the greyhounds tomorrow night in Darwin. The neice's husband's company is a major sponsor so we are happy to take the chance to visit with them and see our first greyhound meeting. Dinner and the doggies, should be fun. Unlikely to be profitable as non of us knows anything about the dogs (shhhh  do not tell Aunty Joan in Condo anyone!!!).