Are the 'KNOCKEM DOWNS"

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 17:45

ThreadID: 66833 Views:3267 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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Member - Noel K (NT)

Are the knock em downs seem to be here at last. The last four afternoons we have had some big lightening storms and wind here in the top end, known as the knockem downs by the locals. These storms are so called as they knock down the spear grass which is currently standing in excess of two metres high.
Funny place this top end, we seem to have only two seasons, wet and dry, but in fact there are approxamately seven phases starting in October:-
1 Build up 32 deg humidity rising
2 December 32 deg humidity 80/100% storms threat of cyclones
3 Jan/Feb wet breaks rain 32 deg humidity drops slightly, nice
4 March/April rain 32deg humidity 90% knock em downs cyclone
5 April May knockem downs transition from wet to dry, amost
over night 32deg humidity drops you can smell the dryseason
6 Late May week or two of bitterly cold winter temp right down
to 16deg can remember it went down to 15 once but by 9.00
AM back to 32 deg.
7 June/Sept dry season 32deg very little humidity.
Been doing this every year since I arrived here in 1972.
Are the dry is nearly here which means PLAY TIME!
Oh bugger, it's just started raining again.

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Reply By: Robert H (SEQ)(aka zuksctr) - Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 18:31

Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 18:31

Oh shute,you coulda knock me down.Sounds interesting though the weather pattern that is.
Very unsimilar (NRMA word ) to Brisbane.
Bob.

AnswerID: 354000

Reply By: Willem - Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:14

Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:14

Arrrrrr...lol

I recall the Knock Em Downs well. Done many a trip up there driving blind and pushing down the speargrass.

Image Could Not Be Found

Dragonflies come out soon and hover over the tranquil billabong waters left behind by the wet season.

Cheers

AnswerID: 354004

Follow Up By: Member - Noel K (NT) - Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:31

Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:31

Map and compass on lap, drive until you hit something and pray to god you don't drive down a sink hole and disapear forever.
Great times.

FollowupID: 622171

Reply By: Member - Royce- Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:30

Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:30

Today we just had a plurry big knockem down... but there was nothing but bare earth to knock down.

Some of the burnt stuff still standing fell down.

and some of the black stuff on the ground washed down the hill.

but! lovely....... we will see green paddocks by the end of the week!!!

AnswerID: 354007

Follow Up By: Member - Noel K (NT) - Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:35

Saturday, Mar 14, 2009 at 19:35

But at least some joy. Best of luck.

Noel.

FollowupID: 622173

Reply By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 10:00

Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 10:00

Noel,

Where did you originally come from before you moved to NT?
Did it take some time to acclimatise to the weather?

Interested as I am thinking of moving there - from VIC.

Marco

AnswerID: 354082

Follow Up By: Willem - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 12:47

Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 12:47

Marco

I will tell you my experience.

I arrived in Darwin November 1968. Found out that November was known as Suicide Month. Between 90 and 100% humidity each day. Day temps are 35 and night temps above 28

At first the humidity and heat is oppressive. You cannot move without perspiring. In 1968 only a few buildings were airconditioned and one was the Hot and Cold Bar in the Darwin Hotel. Don't know if it is there anymore.

I was in my 20's and footloose and fancy free. Lived on the beach for some weeks before 'upgrading to a shanty caravan at Joe's Place in the Railway Yards.

Being young I soon got used to the weather. Got about in a pair of shorts, singlet, hat and rubber thongs. Jobs were plentiful and there were lots of girls about. A young man's paradise.

Spent around 20 years in and around Darwin but found the heat too oppressive after the age of 50 and eventually the opportunity arose to move south. Now I live in the Hot and Cold. Otazell in summer and Cold as blazes in winter.

Today Darwin is a bustling metropolis with all the attributes of a city but the lifestyle is still unique.

I miss the tropics and the lifestyle but not the humidity

BTW Everything is Expensive up there. But you get used to it as well...lol

Cheers

FollowupID: 622262

Follow Up By: Member - Noel K (NT) - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 14:12

Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 14:12

G'dAY Marco,
Pack ya bags and head up now and you will acclimatise easy. But nothing prepares you for the build up in October. That time of year we sit under waterfalls, in billabongs or swimming pools and drink things cold.
The top end is unique and if you can put up with the fact that we have every thing that will bite you, a bit of heat, love the out doors and love to party, come on up, BUT...if you follow Collingwood stay home.

FollowupID: 622267

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer Tours - Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 14:32

Sunday, Mar 15, 2009 at 14:32

Hey Noel I have done every build up since 1975, I have gone swimming in every waterfall and billabong, I love a cold beer on a hot day, I love a party, yes the Knockem downs have started in Kakadu and best of all I FOLLOW COLLINGWOOD. ROTFL

Cheers Steve.

FollowupID: 622271