Wed 21st
The night opened with that unmistakable sound of THE BUG having caught up with Peter. I knew exactly how it would unfold so occupied myself until 5.30 am when we both fell asleep for 1 1/2 hours with my plans for the day. What does a gal do when she's not looking at airfields? Or not sick herself, of course. That's right,  she goes shopping. Peter had booked a rental car the night before but would be a liability on the road. When I went over to change the arrangements the woman was so obliging and offered to hold the car until Peter could drive . Actually I must say that we have experienced nothing but kind assistance ever since we went to Perth. Our Aussie neighbours have been so friendly and helpful.
So the Big Plan was to tackle the local shopping precinct all morning, by which time Peter would improve enough to pick up the car at midday, drive me to the huge Casuarina shopping Mall some 15 minutes drive out of town and then inspect the
 1930s Qantas Airways hangar and back to the hotel for a lie down. Perfect.  All that was required of me was to text when I'd had enough shopping.  Surprisingly that was very soon. The endless alleyways in the Mall were packed with mewling school holiday families pushing, shoving, fighting, around absolutely the same chains of shops we have in South Auckland. I bought absolutely nothing at all.
We had booked tickets for the evening screening at the Deckchair Movie Compound on the foreshore of Darwin Harbour.  After the previous 24 hours neither of us really wanted to go. However,  you know what it's like once you've paid your money. Well, it was just wonderful.  The movie was some droll Aussie sitcom thing but the experience was magic. They serve a basic meal and offer a well-stocked bar. There's a large raised dining area which overlooks the Harbour and is illuminated by the sunset. Neither Peter nor I could partake of the food or alcohol, but lemon, lime and bitters went down a treat. During the movie there was a baby possum dancing around getting what food he could.  Ee'd have run over him in NZ but they thought he was just so cute.  A jolly good evening.