Wednesday 29 March 2017

Having gotten a bit stir-crazy by yesterday Jan asked if anyone would like to go for a ride up to East Point, a peninsula north of Darwin that juts out westward into the Timor Sea (this perhaps contains a hint why there are so few great Australian navigators). "Ride" suggested to askee the pleasant concept of passively sitting in a car, bus or even an airplane, once the agony of first passing through an airport has been endured. (Please don't allow the negative vibe of last comment deter you from traveling by air soon and often, particularly on Delta Airlines, which, it might be mentioned for no particular reason, maintains the financial viability of a certain NWA pension plan). "Sure", said gullible crew who for a few blissful moments was unaware the reference was to bicycles. Note to self, clarify difference between riding and exercising.

East Point is the site of emplacements built to discourage an incorrectly anticipated Japanese invasion following bombing raids beginning on 19 February 1942. Although northern Australia was attacked over 200 times until November 1943, the purpose was apparently to dampen Aussie enthusiasm and discourage use of the area for a counter-offensive to the actual invasion of Timor. Initially half the population evacuated south with what they could carry and the other half looted what was left.

Halfway through our jaunt we stopped at a cafe that had iced coffee (a misnomer as this was a coffee float containing ice cream with whipped cream on top), Jan's idea, and pecan pie, mine, so the experience was not entirely disagreeable. Jan, who was awake most of last night, has the idea that this "ride" will help her sleep tonight. Sensible people use drugs and alcohol.

Jack