Berry Springs

This morning we did some shopping and had coffee at Casuarina Shopping Centre.  ("Everybody hangs out at Cas during the wet because of the air con," I'm told!)
Then we packed the picnic basket and drove out to Berry Springs, about 40 minutes' drive south of Darwin.    Not only is it a beautiful setting, with deep, clear water and tropical vegetation all around; the pools are fed from thermal springs, so it is a really pleasant temperature.  We spent hours in the water without feeling uncomfortable.  We had bought swimming vests for the children, and they loved the freedom this gave them to swim in the deep water, while their goggles allowed them to look under the water and watch fish swimming around.  Arthur and I swam downstream through a narrow tunnel between palms, pretending to be explorers in the jungle.  Later we went upstream to a small waterfall.  Standing under it gave you a nice massage, and ducking behind the curtain of water was fun, too- but there wasn't much headroom. These photos are not mine-  I left my camera at home! In some ways it was nice as I could just relax and enjoy the our outing to Berry Springs without looking at it through a lens all the time, but I've googled some images to give an impression of what a beautiful spot it is.

This is a photo I did take after we got back home.  This green tree frog is living in the shower in the caravan for a few days.  When I opened the door tonight he was sitting on top of the soap dispenser, smiling at me:)

Tomorrow morning we're going to church with Helen- she attends a "multicultural community church" which meets in a hall in a local shopping centre.  In the evening we're going to the Mindi Market at the Wharf Precinct.  It will probably be a bit late when we get back, and I won't be updating the blog- I'll post some photos on Monday.
Thanks again to all of you who have been commenting either here or via emails. It's fun knowing that so many people are following our adventures.