Paddy & Jen Adventures

Just before arriving in Darwin on Monday 7th July, Paddy was asked to do a bit of consulting work. This meant when we arrived in Darwin he was straight on to the computer after setting up the van. He spent the first two days working, whilst I hit the shops. I even checked out the op shops as I was on the hunt for some bright green clothes for us to wear to an Irish Festival in Darwin the following weekend.

Our week in Darwin was special to us as we were able to catch up with some really great family friends who live there. Caitlin Welsford and her partner Dylan, Pauline Neill and Mark Grady. It was so good to see them all. We had a beautiful dinner with Caitlin & Dylan at the Trailer Boat Restaurant, overlooking the water and watching our first Darwin sunset. We also met up with them again at their apartment in the city before we headed to the Irish Festival at the Ski Club. We had an absolute blast with Caitlin, Pauline and Mark and their friends from Melbourne Kimmy and Bruce. The festival was a real highlight and we both enjoyed a good old Irish jig to some amazing Irish music. Paddy briefly did a few Michael Flatley moves but I can report no damage was done and his achilles is intact!!! We had a bloody great time and as my father in law with Irish heritage would say “Ah the wonder of it all”.

We also met up again with my cousin Sue & her hubby Timmy who were “passing through” on their way to Broome. Timmy’s cousin Mandy & her hubby Steve were in Darwin after some car issues on the Gibb River Road and they had detoured to see them and us!! I couldn’t believe it when Timmy introduced us to Mandy and Steve – they live in Berwick and both go to the same gym as me! I have done a few cycle classes with Steve and seen Mandy around the gym and never knew she was Timmy’s cousin! We had a lovely day with all of them on Sunday at Berry Springs, swimming in the rock pools and then again that night at Cullen Bay for dinner and to watch the sunset.

Another small world connection I made was spotting another gym friend Julie and her husband Dale in the caravan park, camped only a few sites away from us. They also live in Berwick! It was a lovely surprise and we spent some time together catching up and also another night watching the Pies get done by Gold Coast. I may have had one too many champers and had my stirring boots on – just what you do when you are not a Pies supporter (sorry Dale!!).

The week flew by with all these fun catch ups. We even managed a car service, a hair appointment (me, not Paddy!), Mindil Beach Sunset Market, a visit to the Waterfront, and virtual reality & history tours of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the bombing of Darwin Harbour at the Tourist Facility at Stokes Hill Wharf. These were great, although I found the virtual reality too triggering so I gave it a miss. I can read about it, but the simulations were just too real. Maybe next time we visit…

We tried to extend our stay in Darwin to rest and recover from our big weekend but the park was booked out. I think they may have knocked us back as they gave me a warning for driving over 5km’s as I entered the park driveway!! I was on about 10km but they said any more warnings and I was out!!!! Classic…

For those interested, our dust issue is still not fixed! We did try to get it repaired but the only place that had time to look at it was too dodgy, so we have decided to leave it until Perth. This means the Gibb River Road is out for us this time around. Just means we need to do another trip!! Already talking about one in June 2026 with Sue & Timmy if we can make it work!

After checking out of the park we met with Pauline for a coffee and chat. Pauline works across Australia in the mental health space and she is an absolute legend. Both of us could sit and listen to her for hours as she is so compassionate and knowledgeable. It’s always a great laugh with her too and we left her with big smiles on our faces. The world is definitely a better place with her in it.

Our next stop Kakadu…

(More photos to check out in the photo gallery)