The C word(s) - Campervans & Compromise

1st blog from Oz. Arriving at stupid o'clock on Tuesday 23rd am, after 24 hours travelling and in a time difference of 8 1/2 hours - who knows what time our bodies thought it was?! - we checked through immigration and customs in no time and were kicking our heels in the Arrivals area by 4 am, waiting for the car hire to open.
After a nice cuppa, we picked up our little car and set off for our Airbnb accommodation. We found the house easily and sat listening to the sea pre-dawn in 26C before going to the house as we didn't want to wake our hosts at 5.15 am.
Had to have a kip and woke around midday. Sh*t, shower, (not) shave and out to check the area. Found the local Woolworths, provisioned up (sort of), and our hosts very kindly fed us (unexpectedly). Then off to bed - but no sleep - that was to elude us for at least four nights. nuff said.
Wednesday we went motorhome shopping. Gumtree had a bus advertised - 10m, a/c, double bed, shower/loo, sitting area: everything we wanted - for $15000 (about £8500!) But it was a bus…couldn't see myself negotiating the streets of Perth or Sydney in that! We looked at a few ex-rental motorhomes, but the asking price was extortionate and you can't be sure how reliable or how much hammer the engine has had, so…we started looking at a few Toyota Hitop camper vans - sans loo, sans shower - and decided to buy a bucket (with lid) - and go for it. Girding our compromised loins, we went to see a very good one - and bought it! Just waiting for the money and paperwork to clear and we're off - first stop Kakadu National Park, then Katharine, then…?
A note about Darwin. The city much maligned by Bill Bryson has grown up and is wearing long trousers now. It's small enough to drive round in half an hour, some of the suburbs are separated from the CBD (Downtown) by bush, it's very friendly and my is it hot! We have watched glorious sunsets every night and enjoyed (?) 34C and 90% humidity. Bring on The Wet - we'll be gone by the time it arrives! More later. Off to watch another sunset. I could get used to this…
By the way, the more people who follow our blog, the more we feel missed!