The drive from Katherine was a good one except for our power steering issues at low revs, where it had become an arm wrestle.
We booked into The Boomerang Park at Virginia for a few nights as it is close to our house sit at Gunn. A nice park but packed in like sardines.
We booked the chariot in with a workshop in Palmerston and began what would be an almost 2 week saga trying to rectify the heavy steering. The oil pressure was fine and a replacement sender unit had that fixed OK. The steering was another issue. The pump was full of metal as the plating inside had deteriorated so a complete flush out, new pump and new hoses were fitted, to find that there was only a slight improvement. The next step was to replace the steering box and then yaay it was fixed, until during a test drive it reverted to being heavy again. A marked improvement but still not right.
We put up with it for a few days, until the vehicle could be seen by a power steering specialist, who found that the new pump was faulty. The end result is that we now have a replacement pump fitted plus a new reservoir, hoses and steering damper, and the original steering box is back on. So far no further dramas, and all working fine. In the final wash up we have paid for the oil pressure sensor and a new power steering pump.
Despite the foregoing we are enjoying Darwin and our house sit looking after Peanut, who is a little treasure.
We have been to the Mindil Beach night markets and the Beer Can Regatta at Mindil Beach which also gave a second dose of the markets and a great sunset.
A visit to the fish markets and lunch on the pier enabled us to look out on the now Chinese owned Darwin Harbour.
Howard Springs was good place to visit with a good monsoon forest walk and on the way out we met a very hungry looking dingo.
The Territory Wildlife Park is a must see for anyone visiting the Top End. We spent a full day there and could have stayed longer if the legs had been willing. The bird show in particular was spectacular with arrange of raptors and other birds flying in the open to feed right in front of us with a very knowledgeable commentator supplying their tucker.
An evening barra and chips at La Beach overlooking Fannie Bay was washed down with a glass or two of Sav. Blanc, as you do!
We have exchanged our large TV in the van for a smaller one and subject to reception will be watching some of the Olympics along the way.
LPG here is 1 cent/litre dearer than petrol so needless to say we are running around on unleaded.
The Burrow has been squeezed across the driveway during our stay.
We have a few more days here in Darwin and then hit the road again via Litchfield National Park for places south and then west across to Broome.
We are looking forward to the next stages of “The Journeys of The Burrow.”
It is now almost ten months since we set out on this adventure.