Finally leaving Australia

There are several things we will definitely NOT miss.
The main thing is the ruinous cost of living here (particularly in Darwin) - and particularly when for the majority of our stay the Kiwi has been valued at around 23% less than the Aussie. Try AUD833 for a new oil pressure gauge and sender! Not the fault of the company which installed same. Just an example of the high prices for everything here. The supplier originally supplied an incorrect sender which would not talk to the gauge and that took a bit of detective work - not something which Jim could ever have sorted out on his own. We haven't paid for the extra time taken but very annoying and inconvenient.
The other issue which will be forever indelibly imprinted on our minds is the voracious midges (sandflies). Otherwise known as noseeums. These vicious little bastards excrete a liquid onto your skin which dissolves the skin and then they bite through the hole created. They start to itch about 30 minutes after biting and are very toxic. The bite sites then often become infected and our legs are very scarred as a result. Jim has been more affected; sometimes on waking in the morning his lips are swollen from the toxin from the bites and this is in spite of having all open ports covered by nets, a mosquito coil burning in the companionway, and a Pyrethrum "puffer" going all night in the saloon. Never a problem with mosquitos - only the noseeums which are way worse in Darwin than further south - and that's saying something. Darwin is otherwise a pleasant town but we could never live here. On the positive side we have met many great people during our sojourn in Oz and we will not forget them. We have been offered practical help at times including the use of vehicles. The generosity of Aussies (once you get to know them) knows no bounds.
Jean has finally found someone who has successfully treated her back and thankfully she is much better. Belinda not only did her so much good (Bowen & Emmett techniques), but she also took Jean to Coles to pick up groceries already purchased and then brought her back to the marina in her little 2 seater Smart!! Wonderful service compared with the incompetent Osteopath encountered 2 days ago.
The boat is a shambles with still unstowed provisions but we are making inroads. Tomorrow we go to the Darwin sailing Club to clear Customs. And then Saturday morning we leave the marina and set sail for Kupang, Indonesia.
More fascinating news to come!!
Jim and Jean xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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