More retro sewing finds!

While one of my BFF's from Perth and her partner were visiting we decided to take them to one of the many outdoor markets that are part of the Darwin lifestyle.

Usually these markets consist of stalls selling locally grown Asian fruit/veggies (Dragon fruit, papaya, breadfruit and snake beans all available!), plus a few local craft stalls selling jewellery and clothing.

However this Sunday we decided to check out the Nightcliffe markets, next to a charity store that luckily for us girls was open (the boys weren't interested). Not only did they have a tonne of fabric and sewing haberdashery in store but also a stack of sewing magazines and patterns.!
All up I spent about $4.00 total, which considering the money is going to a good cause, is pretty excellent in this day and age. Although the sewing mags are from the early 1990's I spied a couple of pattern that wouldn't look out of place today. Also zippers, Kwik Sew and Simplicity patterns for 10-20cents a piece, who can argue with that?

Life In The Top End

Well we have finally made the move to the top end and are starting to settle in. My animals have already declared themselves indoor pets from now on (they are not impressed by the 40 degree heat) and so in the midst of unpacking I have also had to deal with mounds of pet hair (the heat is making them moult).

As I am still sorting out my sewing room I though I would post a couple of pictures taken in the new area we are living:




Sunrise at a local park overlooking one of the canals.







I am normally never up at this time so thought I had better capture this special occasion (and the view) :)



Storm clouds moving over the marina out our backdoor.








The clouds blocked out the sun so quickly I felt like I was in one of the scenes from "Independence day".

Now to check out what type of fabric and sewing supply stores they have up here...

Darwin trip

Just a few pictures from our jaunt up to Darwin.
Most of the week was spent checking out suburbs and talking to Real Estate agents, as the rental situation up there is pretty dismal with a less than a 1% vacancy rate.
However the weather was fantastic- dry, warm and sunny, perfect for singlets and shorts. With the temperature a beautiful (to me anyway I like the warm weather) 30 degrees each day we were able to check out a few sights - and swim in the hotel pool!-during our stay.




One of the signs that you are greeted by in the National Park.








Fannie Bay Beach near East Point.
Looks lovely but unfortunately you can't swim in the water due to crocodiles, sharks and stingers.





Cullen Bay Marina- where the seriously rich live. Also has a cafe strip overlooking the water- a nice spot to have breakfast.





Crocodile entree on the menu at Crustacean's (tastes like chewy chicken- or snake apparently).










Croc skull on a whip stall at Mindl Beach Markets.






You can buy Camel, Buffalo, Roo and Crocodile Jerky, as well as the regular beef, from Territory Jerky at the Mindil Beach Markets.

Roadkill cafe ...charming name but luckily the food is not actually scraped off the road.



Indonesian Satay stall - food is cooked on a small portable BBQ on the side. Very popular and very yummy.








Mindil Beach sunset. The perfect end to a Darwin day.