Camping in Darwin

There were two main places to camp in Darwin, the favourite one was at the Darwin football oval as it was located on the cliff's overlooking the bay, giving a nice breeze to keep you cool and the mozzies away. The best part was it was right across the street from the Darwin Hotel so if you got a bit wasted you didn't have to drive anywhere.

The other place was Mindil Beach where you could park right at the beach under the tree's, if no breeze you could hang a mosquito net from a branch, both places where hitchikers looked for a ride, I had a half a load of furniture on for Tennant Ck and was asleep on the back of the trailer when a lady, "Pink pill's" Daph woke me up and asked me for a ride South. A lot of people at that time in Darwin used alias's to avoid problems from the South and the town was so out of the way from the rest of the country and ::)no one asked any questions, names like Winnie wet legs, Patty no pants, and a girl I used to see called The long handled shovel. So anyway I lifted Daph up into my swag where we gained more intimate knowledge about each other.
Took off the next morning first stop the Edith River for a bit of R&R, then onto Mataranka where an English stockman who had been out bush for 6 months asked me for a ride to Tennant. Daph had not stopped talking since we left Darwin and was getting on my nerves, so thinking of the English guy being out bush thought he could take care of ol' Daph, well, he hopped down and said "can I ride in the front with you"!!!!!! I was glad to get to Tennant and be rid of them both!

Okay Ron, I'll Bite

"the Long Handled Shovel"

Okay Ron, I'll Bite

"the Long Handled Shovel"

I think I know. Ron used to tie the long handled shovel across his ankles.

Hayseed, I have no idea where she got the long handled shovel from, everyone had a story connected to their nickname, would be interesting to know hers.
Bugly, now that's rude! You being in the Top end may find an oldtimer who remembers her as she was pretty well known, she was quarter caste with green eyes, unusual, the main thing I remember about her was in the bright moonlight she had a body that would actually bring tears to your eyes, I guess the oval has gone, prime real estate. :'(

g'day ronhorse .. you seem a bit wistful... like you may still burn a small candle for this exotic creature... :'( :'( :-* :.....where do the years go ?...cheers

Jist perusin 'Long Handled Shovels' family tree and came up with this.

Ron, can you point her out with her otha 2 sistas and 2 little bro's?




Seriously though Ron, great stories and keep em comin.

Regards, Buc.

Bugly M80
Me thort U tie the Long handle across u're belt line @ the rear

Jist so U dont fall in n disappear

Wot say U RonOrse
Cya
[ch9787]

Swishy

Yep - same principle as the bit of timber they tie to a cows neck to stop it getting thru a fence.

Oldfulla