Tuesday 7th September 2010

My friend Amber has been visiting for a few days. She flies back today and Louis returns at about the same time. On Friday (the day after Amber flew in from Townsville) we had a presage of the Wet season. The 2 days prior had been intensely humid and muggy. Friday morning the rain began. It poured and pounded and rattled on the roof. The frogs began calling again. It was delightful. The rest of the weekend was dry-ish - no more rain but moist air and rain clouds at times. Amber and I went marketing Saturday morning and in the afternoon she and Helen and I lounged around in the spa (heated to hot bath temperature for Helen's comfort - a bit full on for Amber and me). Sunday we had a visit from Annette - one of Helen's neighbours who hadn't realised she was home again. In the evening we three went to Sky City Casino to hear Katie Noonan play. It was a very fancy set up. Folding chairs on the lawn by Mindil beach, sun setting over the water. Each twosome had an esky with champagne, beer white wine, soft drink and water plus red wine and hampers of delicious snacks. Amber and I were marvelling at the idea that anyone could really make the most of such abundance. Helen said she was totally satisfied with a single bread roll spread with butter and Amber only drank one light beer. Such cheap dates! I did my best to make up for them both there and then and when we left we snuck away with baskets and bags full of goodies to fill our fridge at home.
Monday morning we all drove in to Darwin city and had breakfast at the Roma Bar. We went for a wheelchair walk up the street to show Amber the beautiful Darwin library in Parliament house then retreated back to The Gardens for a day of resting in the chair for Helen and hopping in and out of the spa for Amber and me (cooled down again to a refreshing temperature).