Megan's Darwin Adventure

I'm Lazy at Blog's

2007-04-26T17:33:00.000+09:30

Unfortunately I’m the first to admit I have been pretty lazy at keeping the posts up to date. Unfortunately I actually can’t say that I’ve been too busy to actually update the blog, I have in fact just been lazy.

Anyways since last update here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been up 2!

First of all was the visit to Perth to see Megg’s, Kendi and Dee, sensational time had by all and managed to make some new pommy friends along the way!

Then headed to Melbourne in March for our work sales and management conference, bonus cheque in hand for doing a good job last year I returned home to my new (but actually 20 year old) townhouse to begin the renovation plans.

Funny how living in a place how quickly you change your mind about what is important to get done around the place. So out went the ideas to build a outdoor area and get that concreted, and in come the cabinet makers to quite on a new kitchen. I can no longer cope with washing everything in the cupboards each time I want to use it. 20 years of mould and smells means everything in the drawers and cupboards gets a film on it that is simply unpalatable.

So I settled on a design and some colours, and began purchasing electrical and kitchen things. Going with off which cupboards, with light beige drawers and a darker laminex bench top. Haven’t picked out tiles or a splashback yet… Which brings me to my next topic.

Darwin, NT. Not Today, Not Tomorrow, Not Tuesday, Not Thursday…

So lounge suite arrived on Tuesday after ordering it nine weeks ago (it's too big - but I'm too stubborn to admit it). Fortunately had more success with the oven, cooktop and rangehood for the kitchen – lead time 3 weeks on the dot. Next is the sink… well what a drama… 4 weeks in and the sink still hasn’t left Adelaide! So the retailer tells me it was released last Thursday and will be another two weeks away! So hence cabinet maker can’t build the other half of my kitchen until it arrives… even worse the retailer I purchased it from was the only one that promised me I would have it in two weeks!

So Simon from the Gold Coast came to visit last week, so went for a drive to Litchfield and the touristy wildlife parks. Am becoming quite proficient on my tour guide skills!

Jess had her baby, a bog, Logan Ashton Steve! He’s gorgeous and I can’t wait to visit him early next month. Should work out well as I have Sharon and Joe’s daughters christening on the Sunday in Adelaide too! Babies are everywhere. Thinking about getting a puppy, but that is on hold just now while the renovations are in full swing. Broke the hot water tap in the shower this morning so will have to add that onto the emergency fix it list. Missed my brother while he was back in

Went to the dawn service, the Anzac parade, the RSL, the pub, the races an two up yesterday… brilliant day! Happy snaps to follow! Take care all, cya soon.

Pre-2007 Posting

2006-12-30T21:08:00.000+09:30

So in Darwin for another New Years Eve – that will make two in row! Unfortunately this year Megg’s and Darren will be in Perth so a civilized dinner, drinks and dancing is not on the cards - but get to spend NYE with my neighbours (yes they are still talking to me after committing their housemate - who is doing a lot better now) and the girls before they run a muck in town. Think the plan is The Vic early (yes for those Adelaide ppl Darwin has a Vic and sadly it is a ‘local’.) and then back home for the party next door. Would rather battle the stairs to get home than trying to battle for a cab early in the morning.

So what has been happening? Well Perth can not come soon enough, sadly Boxing Day Sales in Darwin are a little under done – there is only so much Target, Kmart and Big W that a girl can handle. Anyways that being said the monsoonal rains are just about here and while some of you guys struggle with Stage 3 water restrictions and water police in Darwin the automatic sprinklers still come on at midnight and trying to lock up work anytime before 5:30pm means getting saturated by the afternoon storms! Ruined a good pair of points the other day while trying to lock the gates, had a torrent of water up to my mid calves rushing past!

So Chrissy day was just a little bit special as far as orphans christmas' go. Had champagne and croissants with the neighbours, then out for brunch (which was actually full on lunch with bugs, prawns, oysters, roasts and puddings) then had to back-up and get set for the next location for what was to be my X-Mas lunch. Argh, lucky for a break in the afternoon and then the brilliant idea that Jager Bombs would be perfect instead of pudding… So swimming in the pool on Christmas night was just a top way to end the festivities.

So plans for 2007… (apart from meet the man of my dreams -*cough*). Have just about committed to finding my next holiday destination. Only 3 weeks this time, Cambodia and Vietnam via Singapore and Bangkok – only prob is two uni subjects, between now and then - so can’t go til June/July holidays (that means I get to Thailand in HOTTEST season, braved HOTTER last time so should be able to survive!!)

Mum comes up to visit on the 13th Jan, she comes in from Brissy (same flight as my flatmate and his girlfriend as they get back from Melbourne and Tassie respectively). So with the house to myself the Austar (Foxtel) remote is securely in my sole position, a blissful week thus far with no war time documentaries or MXC or Viva La Bam to think of… the bench in the kitchen is clean and the fridge is pretty much beer free – actually its just been replaced by Red Bull (yes the Jager Bombs are back for NYE) and wine.

Well, have a top NYE everyone, be good - miss you all and all the Best for 2007!

11,808 km in a week

2006-09-29T18:54:00.000+09:30

What a week, glad it's Friday and I can relax - well ok, I have a bit of work to catch up on and study too, exams are less than 5 weeks away! How time flies when you are having fun.

Speaking of flying this week I’ve been clocking up the Frequent Flyer Points with the wedding in Mission Beach, (if you are yet to go to Far North Qld you are missing out - it is brilliant, I will definitely be going back) then a 18 hour fleeting visit to Adelaide. With all the flying I began to wonder where else could have I gone if I travelled 11,808 km? Then I go distracted at travel destinations again…

Most importantly on Wednesday I got to catch up with my sister, who is looking every bit the mum to be with her pregnant glow. The baby at the 13 week scan is now 7cm – looking fwd to this Aunty business.

On other topics this month has seen the save arrival of a baby girl for the Ball’s and then in Dec it’s Kristy and Steve who are expecting! Might be making a quick dash to Melbourne late next month for Niki and Andrew’s engagement party! Yes Kate, it does take a big event to get me back to Melbourne (but hey you are guaranteed to see me for their wedding too).

As for me well it will be a miracle if cupid ever shoots his arrow in my direction!

Tips for the Weekend
Saturday - Eagles by 14 Points (Norm Smith Medallist: Daniel Kerr)
Sunday - Storm by 6 (BOG Greg Inglis) .

Diagnosis from the Doctor

2006-09-10T16:54:00.000+09:30

What a week for Australian Celebrities, not a good run with the passing of the endearing character that was the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin (did shed a tear over that one) and then the seemingly infallible Peter Brock. Bit of a tragedy really.

Well after two and a half months of the same cold my doctor ordered up blood work and on Friday I got the results. Two courses of antibiotics and still no improvement, I think I had convinced myself in the waiting room that I had throat cancer as that could be the only likely explanation for my symptoms. Well thankfully the results came back a little less over dramatic:
Thyroid – excellent
Liver – Excellent (ha that was surprising)
Ross River Virus – Negative
Malaria – Negative
All the bad ones out of the way, so that left me with a diagnosis from the doctor that I have now Tonsillitis and that I did have Glandular Fever, great missed it in year 12 only to be hit with it later. Now before I hear ‘kissing disease’ must have picked it up some other way. Anyways a course and a repeat prescription of Doxycycline tablets and I should be right in a week! Problem is those little babies make me physically sick so I’ve been taking them after a full meal and just before I go to bed.

The weather is getting HOTTER we avg 35 most days now, not long til the build up! Ahh the humidity, fingers crossed I don’t go troppo – nah, not likely.

Have a uni assignment due Tuesday that I really should be working on, so best I focus on that for a couple of hours! Out for Indian tonight - have managed to find a pretty good place in Nightcliff that's cheap and serves up a great Marsala. Not quite as good as Hot Gossip though.

Plan for September visit to Adelaide is arrive Wed 27th (approx 6pm) then free time til my meeting on Thu morning, fly back to Darwin Thu afternoon. I also have a unit test worth 30% the day after I get back from Cairns, so I’ll be taking the text books with me to tropical paradise!

What's been happening???

2006-08-28T17:35:00.000+09:30

Last weekend saw me travel to Katherine for a mini road trip (280 km south of Darwin) for a night out at the Diggers Rest. The radio Station Hot 100 held a night there, so when one of the girls got 4 free tickets and accommodation on Last Minute we were set.

Territory Roads once you get outside of a town are generally all Unlimited Speed, so before you know it you’re checking tyre pressure and guessing ‘she’ll run nicely at 140kmp/h … not sure about fuel economy at $1.41 per litre though’

Anyways Katherine put on a pretty good night and then scooted home again to civilisation in Darwin.

From Wednesday I have a new neighbour across the duck pond (the local term for the marina) as Paul moves into a flat with some ppl on the other side of my bldg. I think he will be glad to be moving out from the ‘hells angel wannabe’ and into somewhere normal, fingers crossed they are normal. Did offer the rooftop tent option if he got really stuck, but that didn’t seem to go down too nicely.

So September is just around the corner.. September happenings

Meagan and Darren move to Perth (good luck)
Megan and Michael expecting the arrival of their first bub!
My Cousin Emma is getting married on the 23rd (updated as I am hopeless with dates) (yes Grand Final Day, obviously they are Queenslanders and do not appreciate the AFL - not that I am concerned with the GF as the Power are not able to get into the 8)
Have discovered Cairns has a Myer
Hence .. Friday 22nd Sept arrive Cairns … go shopping

Thursday 28th Sept - Adelaide for a half day training session for work (watch this space if I can cope with missing two weeks worth of uni for a 100% exam will stay longer)

That’s it for me! Take it easy All xox

Baby on the Way

2006-08-17T18:32:00.000+09:30

Well at only 9 weeks in it looks like I’m going to be an Aunty as my little sister is pregnant! She has to get through the first trimester first and then she’s out of the danger zone, but all excited non the less!
Rather amusing as her comment of the day so far has been that she feels ‘fat’ at nine weeks, I will be reminding her of that in about six and a half months when it’s all about to happen and she is about to pop. So much for her moving to Darwin. Jess and Ash are currently holidaying in Qld with my mum for the week, so even more so looking fwd to the trip to Cairns next month to see my family!

What else.. oh, our sub-let tenants who are currently camping in a tent on our rooftop balcony have found a home and they move into their own place next Wednesday (good Adelaide ppl). So far they have been the perfect housemates, the house is spotless and dinner is usually on the table at 7! Had to redeem myself and cook a roast on Sunday night as was feeling a little inadequate in the cooking stakes! Think I will miss them though when they move!

Signing off for now… Meg’s

Something amusing

2006-08-10T21:34:00.000+09:30

This is just a link to another blog that I found while downloading my lecture notes for this week (honest) best read from the bottom and beginning entries... not sure if this chick is for real but makes for interesting 'revenge' reading!

http://thatgirlemily.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_thatgirlemily_archive.html

Take care all...

Darwin Cup

2006-08-08T17:17:00.000+09:30

Well Monday was a Public Holiday in sunny Darwin Town, and to celebrate Picnic Day the town stages the Darwin Cup , the feature event of the Darwin Cup Carnival. The day at the races was enjoyed by almost 20,000 tourists and locals, and was a mix of town and country with the fashion stakes high (think suit jacket, shirt, tie and boardies as a combo).
While the weather was great, shade was a bit of a premium as I told myself next year it's the corporate tent... too much lining up and drinking warm white wine will have that impact on you.
Did however manage to stay up til 1am and finally went to Discovery (yep I went to a nightclub). Discovery is a mini Heaven II - actually owned by the same ppl and follows the same floor plan, only half the size, but with the same crowd and DJ format. Having been there once I can safely mark it off my list of places to go in Darwin...

One for my brother who is/was a huge Mick Doohan fan - the world motorcycle champion is up on assault charges after headbutting a bouncer at the local strip club over the wkend.

Update Post Turning 26

2006-07-14T17:24:00.000+09:30

So in a week that you turn 26 I'm sure certain things are supposed to happen, like for example you run a self assessment of your achievements and where exactly you though you might have ended up at this age 10 years ago…

So I started a list of things I should have done, scribble a few things down… then came the realisation that oops I’ve taken a different path in life than I had planned and all in all it actually turned out not too bad. Albeit I’m in Darwin and have a cold and sick when the weather is a constant 30 degree Max per day.

Ok so news since last post.

I go back to uni in 2 weeks (arrrhh) still very unhappy with CDU one of my subjects doesn’t even have the text book on the bookshop list yet…
The V8 Supercar Series has been and gone in Darwin, had promise for a good day out and then with the assistance of Bundy was a top day out (yes I remember now why I don’t drink rum was a very quiet day Sunday recovering)
July 1st – it is legal in Darwin to buy and obviously detonate fireworks on Territory Day between 6pm and 11pm. Hospital count for the emergency department as a result of injuries totalled 22. How many lost dogs, I can not say.. but I would say a few. As was the amount of times I have been woken up at all hours of the night each weekend since because someone has let off their stash of crackers...
Birthday Celebrations on the Darwin Harbour in a boat with seafood and wine to celebrate was brilliant.
Darwin Cup is on the horizon (7th of August – therefore diet has kicked in as has search for ‘the outfit’)

Flight tickets are booked for my trip to Mission Beach (Cairns) in September and I can't wait.

Have given up hope on my real estate agent who has from the sounds of it sold my unit to someone else (long story... but back to house hunting again in a sellers market)

6 months in...

2006-06-04T12:18:00.000+09:30

Well I've been here for over 6 months now... yes it's been that long. First up that means I have to get my Victorian Drivers licence changed over pronto. Which is easier said than done. A visit to the Motor Vehicle Reg office the other day requires I get someone with an NT drivers licence to vouch for my 'identity and living address'. Basically as I don't have a utility bill in my name or a lease agreement I am not what they consider a resident. Odd how I can apply for a mortgage, but can't get my NT drivers Licence from 100 points of ID.

So back to Darwin... the Mindle Beach Markets have opened for the dry season, its a mecca for local crafts (basically a heap of dust collectors) Asian, Indian and an assortment of food stalls and if you get there early enough and pack the wine and camping chairs a good cheap night out with local entertainment thrown in too. The markets are open Thursday and Sunday nights from about 5 pm – 10 pm (ish)

Darwin is the kind of town where the adage Not Today, Not Tomorrow... is like a Territorian mantra for the NT. Try organising a gardener or worse an electrician or someone to fix the A/C units... I think most are quite happy with the current order of things and just don't want to take on anymore work. Not that they tell you that of course up front, you are just left waiting. So great opportunity for someone to open their own business up here that is responsive.

Next up is that Darwin is a small town, the rule of six degrees of separation does not apply in Darwin, it's more like 2 or three. Which makes for some interesting ‘oh you know such and such…”

So after looking at Jade and Scott’s happy snaps of London I’m all inspired to go to the museum and some local touristy spots today. Have already found a great walking track along Casuarina Drive at Nightcliff, it’s along the beach – it’s beautiful at sunset. will be sure to take some photos to post!

Next stop Mortgage and no life...

2006-05-19T18:11:00.000+09:30

Building on my little unit is progressing well despite the fact that I found out it’s in a storm surge zone, which means if a cyclone or tsunami or really high tide hits I would probably have to evacuate and move to higher ground! Great, oh well that is what insurance is for. Apparently most of the Darwin coastal suburbs are in a storm surge area too, so I’m not the only one.

Next up … progress of unit 13 … benchtops are in and the tiles are laid! the vanities in the bathrooms- let’s just say if I was a Collingwood Supporter they would fit right in - joys of buying off the plan are they omit the little details and you get stuck with, all for the benefit of a ‘cheaper’ purchase price. Well so they tell me.

Then there is the completion date which has slipped from early July to mid to a conservative late August. Which means I have more time to save! Anyways will post some pics once they finish rendering the front!

Have given up on the AFL season due to lack of availability of football coverage in the NT... nothing to do with teams recent performance.

Cyclone Update & Drinks on the 7th @ the London

2006-04-27T18:03:00.000+09:30

For all the weather reports and hype surrounding Tropical Cyclone Monica on Monday the 24th and her arrival on Anzac Day I can safely say I’m glad it fizzled out once she hit land. The remnants now are just seasonally late rainfall. Speaking of which the Dry Season officially starts on May the 1st which coincidentally is also a Public Holiday up here in the NT for May Day. So that means it has been a month of 4 day working weeks since early April to celebrate Easter. No complaints from me about that either.

Other Public Holidays of Note include Queen’s Birthday on the 12th June and Picnic Day which is also when the Darwin Cup is held on the 7th of August.

Apart from a crash course in Cyclone awareness (eg a must do is to save the following website to your favourites http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nt/ ) then the 1300 number to your mobile for when you’re not at work to check the cyclone track info and other info every 3 hours or so… Next for the learning curve is the cyclone preparation. Step one, wrap all electrical goods in plastic and seal with tape, this includes filing cabinets, pc’s, important documents and anything you want to protect from water damage. Then it’s best to tape the windows (think big X’s) and have your cyclone kit prepared. Depending on your complacency or diligence to the cyclone code this kit may contain anything from a carton of beer and smokes to first aid kit, flashlight, loads of bottled water and battery operated radio. Thinking back to what I purchased for my cyclone food I don’t think a packet of snakes, 4 cans of Tuna, some So-Good Soychino’s and V8 Juice would have let me survive too long if I was stuck huddled in the bathroom for 2 days without power or water. Although I did get a Mars Bar after remembering heroic feats of people surviving in the Himalayas for days of one of those babies alone!

For those Melbournite’s interested Kendrah has promised to save us a table or two for lunch and drinks on Sunday the 7th of May 2006 at:

The London Tavern, 238 Lennox Street, Richmond 3121 at 12noon onwards.

Anyways as always take care xox Meg’s

Trip to Adelaide and Kakadu

2006-04-19T18:50:00.000+09:30

Well four days in Adelaide is not nearly enough! Sharon and Joe's wedding was a great, was kept entertained and busy! Not to mention picking up a new skill, I am now also a bridal seamstress if ever I decide to go back-packing and need to put some skills on my resume! As for the weather well I did pack a jumper and a jacket so I can say I have been able to put some 'normal' clothes on rotation. Wasn't so great to drop 6kg's in three weeks and have the dress a little too big (but don't think anyone noticed) have managed to regain 3 of the 6 thus far.

Easter was spent with a drive down to Kakadu National Park on the Friday and returning to Darwin on the Saturday. While it was the 'wrong time of year' and there were no birds, crocodiles or water lillies on account of the un-seasonal rainfall that dumped an extra 1.5m into the park a couple of weeks ago - they will return, and so shall I when next I have visitors to Darwin (hint hint).
Next Travel spot is to Melbourne on the 5th, 6th and 7th or May. Jetstar have commenced service to Darwin Direct from Melbourne (prob is no frequent flyer points and its a red eye flight leaving at 2am). Friday night we are off to a show for the Comedy Festival, then for a footy fix Saturday night it's Richmond v's the Bombers... yes it is a working trip to Melbourne.

Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow

2006-03-24T21:57:00.000+09:30

So in a search for some normality I'm venturing into the Darwin Entertainment Centre tomorrow night for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow at the Playhouse. While it's not exactly as fun as heading into Melbourne and grabbing a bite to eat at the Yak Bar and then racing off to see the very cute and funny Danny Bhoy or Dave Hughes who I can now just tollerate again on the GlassHouse. I do get to see an assortment of acts that at some stage must have been on the list for this years Festival. No tight ass Tuesday though as the Festival only runs for Friday and Saturday night. Does that even count as a Festival? Will keep you posted, but hey it beats a night at the Mud Racing (Darwin’s other big Saturday night event this weekend is the NT Final).

Step one of Moving, find a House...

2006-03-22T21:13:00.000+09:30

Well it's official I can move out of the apartment and into my new residence on Monday! Much to my relief, I can't wait to sleep in my own bed! In keeping with my usual choice of flatmates I'm sharing a three bedroom unit (it's the size of a house) on the third floor of the new Tipperary Waters development with two other guys. Both of who are in the army and based at Robertson Barracks out past Palmerston. I don't think that will be a problem, although they did ask if it was? unless I'm missing something we should be fine. While the built in wardrobe space is a little on the small side, imagine losing half your wardrobe as it's just not practical to wear it in a hot/dry or hot/humid location (my winter (Canberra) clothes are staying in storage, that or ebay).

Will keep you posted on the joys of moving in!

The Dentist

2006-03-22T20:12:00.000+09:30

So what is it about going to the dentist that is really so bad? The thought of a drill or even worse a root canal? Nope. It’s they are all referral agents for their mates, I’m sure the dental profession is rigged with little cash for comments kick backs rife in the industry. Proof in case… After my last dental check-up I walked out with a script to get X-Rays and then a return appointment. Before I knew it I was booked in with a surgeon, an anaesthetist, the private hospital and oh a trip for my mum to come and look after me while I recovered from surgery to remove my wisdom teeth. Genuinely my wisdom teeth were hurting and there was crowding in my mouth but still I felt it was all too scripted. So fast-track a year and a bit and even after abysmal private health insurance refund (why do I bother?) and token new toothbrush and toothpaste I still feel like dentists are all out to get us.

If they can not find somewhere that needs a filling or a fisher seal the friendly dentist kicks into action… while you are at your most vulnerable (mouth gaped open and you are doing your best to remember to breathe while someone rummages around and calls out numbers “7 ok, 6 ok”) they strike! “So have you ever considered whitening your teeth”, or today’s doozy I can recommend you to a good orthodontist, “does that crowding bother you?” and because you effectively can’t speak all you can reply is a faint “no” which actually sounds more like “mmm” so either way your stuffed and you get the sales pitch for the next 10 minutes while the check-up continues. Then reality kicks in and you remember your teeth are actually quite straight and while there are no big gaps or major work needed you simply sign the payment slip and wait for them to call you for the next instalment 6 months later.

Comments are Enabled

2006-03-21T21:56:00.000+09:30

Ok so I've made a technical change, so if you like you should now be able to post your comments directly on the site. Email me directly if it still doesn't work!

Extended Forecast & Adelaide Visit

2006-03-17T21:48:00.000+09:30

So only a couple of weeks til I jet back to Adelaide for Sharon and Joe's wedding!

My furniture has arrived and is sitting nicely in storage til I find it a home. Which also means my bridesmaid dress has arrived too! The shoes along with 2 other pairs that I'm yet to get out of the box are stashed in my office at work along with the microwave I got last weekend, so it's beginning to look like I have set-up temporary residence at work.

Anyways back to the Adelaide visit, I fly in (well plan to book the flight soon) at about 11am on Thu the 30th (wedding rehearsals are on Thu night) so once I arrive I will make myself useful and help the bride-to-be with any last minute details. The wedding is on Saturday the 1st of April (yes April Fool’s day but it’s after midday so it should be fine). Then all going to plan I’ll head back to Darwin on Monday the 3rd. So for anyone that’s interested (and depending how I pull up Sunday) it would be good to catch up for a late breakky.

For those interested the Current Conditions in Darwin are for thunderstorms all next week, so that means the wet season is still upon us!

Round 19 Darwin AFL Action

2006-03-13T21:44:00.000+09:30

Saturday 12th August 2006 sees the mighty Power take on the Western Bulldogs at Marrara Oval just outside Darwin. For Doggies supporters head to http://westernbulldogs.com.au/default.asp?pg=darwin which tables a series of events that the Club is hosting for their home game in the Territory. For Power fans I've emailed the club in an attempt to see if they are having anything planned for us fans who fail to get interstate membership and who have to put up with watching AFL games only after the NRL games have been broadcast on free to air. (note to self add Austar connection to rental property requirements)

Look fwd to seeing Hannah, Beef and Bianca (with Kendi maybe as a ring-in Doggies supporter) at the game!

Reverse Charges

2006-03-13T21:15:00.000+09:30

Phil has successfully managed to arrive in Vancouver, Canada. Somewhere between the 17 hour flight, arriving to near freezing temperatures and having a blast catching up with Adam (also injured from miss-hap on the slopes at Whistler) Phil has managed to get sick.
He got himself to a local GP only to be charged around $180 for his visit and a prescription for antibiotics to tackle a bronchitis infection, not the best way to start a stint O/S but glad he’s getting better and starting to look for work! He's also getting into the local culture and kitted up with a snowboard and attire for the slopes, don' t think his supply of fav t-shirts (think Sparta) will keep him too warm!

House Hunting ... the adventure begins

2006-03-13T20:48:00.000+09:30

OK so after moving to Melbourne three years ago, viewing about five properties and a couple of share houses I quickly managed to find a place and even get my furniture delivered before I arrived so night one was spent in my own bed. The little townhouse in Hawthorn was close to town, public transport, a great pub and shopping areas all within walking (or was that staggering) distance from home. So who would have thought finding a place to live in Darwin would prove to be so difficult. I’m being serious here, and it’s not even though I’m being fussy, just practical, my little list of property must haves includes;

A/C in more than just one bedroom given Darwin’s fluctuating temperatures is a must as are
ceiling fans
a balcony or little patio
offstreet carparking with security fencing and grills on all windows.

Nothing too difficult – but then there are the prices… for something inner city or say within a 10 min radius of the city I started off at $200 a week, that was a little optimistic (think 30 year old top level units with pungent mould odours) so now I’m spending my evenings driving around firstly looking at the property from the outside and then arranging with the rental company to have an inspection. You can learn a lot by stalking a rental property location (the photos can be deceptive). Then once you think you might like a place it’s best to check with the locals, by mentioning the street name and depending on their reaction you either fill in an application or stay well away. Points of note thus far avoid Aralia Street in Nightcliff, don’t rent on Hudson Fysh in Parap.. the list goes on...

Friday I thought I’d come up with a winner! Only to be sadly disappointed this morning as the agent called only to tell me the owner has let her property to someone from her work. Thought it was a little overpriced as I got an idea of the going market rate from the agent selling the property next door so maybe I saved myself some money? Anyways as the search for a home continues I’m also going to go to see a mortgage broker tomorrow to see what sort of loan I can get to buy my own place!

Oh, and good news as my sister Jess is moving to Darwin too! So I'm now also getting the word from her on finding somewhere for us both to live. Having not lived with my sister since I moved out of home how many years ago it could be an interesting experience. Will be great to have her up here though!

Under Construction - bear with me I'm going to get better at this!

2006-03-08T20:01:00.000+09:30

Well given my buddy Jade has been more than organised with her postings, best I set-up my own little bits and pieces about me, and who knows I might get to the stage were I too can put up my travel adventures, but for the moment we will stick with moving to Darwin from Melbourne and all the little gems that has produced thus far!

Stay tuned for an update while I try and figure out how to set-up this thing!