Online issues hopefully settled

If you ever want to renew your faith in the goodness and kindness of human nature, take a long road trip, preferably on a motorcycle, through Australia. As we were heading to Katherine, about an hour and a half out of Fitzroy Crossing (FC), we stopped to have some water at a rest area that allows camping. As we dismounted a gentleman walked out of his camper, and very politely told us that his wife had the kettle on, and asked if we would like a cup of tea or coffee. We readily assented, and for the next hour had the great pleasure of making new friends, not to mention good coffee, and delicious chocolate cookies. Peter and Trisha are from Brisbane, (on the east coast) and have been on the road for 10 weeks. They plan to arrive in Perth in another 10 weeks, and then head home across the Nullarbor. Peter was in the RAN (Royal Australian Navy) so we had stories to share. He also told me about a good 3G broadband network that reportedly covers most of Australia. The answer to internet availability! Don't know why I didn't know about this before.
Anyhow, after an absolutely delightful hour of chatting, and exchanging contact information we headed on to Katherine, in search of the "Telstra Turbo 3G Pre-paid" software and USB hub. We finally found it in Darwin 4 days later. We reportedly got the last unit between Darwin and Alice Springs! Very popular, it seems. So have since been waiting for the company to get me online after registering. They are suppose to give me 1 GB free, and I am not to purchase any more time/bytes till that appears in my account. The account balance is still zero, but this is apparently still working!
We arrived in Darwin Thursday the 15th, and have been exceptionally well looked after by Sue's cousin Gaye, and her daughter Kim. It has been so much fun we have decided to stay another day, and not leave till Monday. We have also gotten to know Kim's partner Brian, an avid off-road motorcycle racer, and his parents Elma and Murray, and Murray's brother Snowy, are visiting from New South Wales. Murray and his brother are retired butchers, and have many very funny tales about the people in his small farming community. Gaye put on a barbeque for them, and we were fortunate to be here to share it.
Had the bikes serviced while we were here, with new rear tires, oil and oil filter change. We had intended to have ALL four tires changed, and had called 3 weeks ago to get it setup. Unfortunately, they neglected to see if they actually did have the tires in stock after assuring me that they did - and they did not. Oh well - fortunately we still have 3mm tread depth on both front tires, so we should be able to get to Cairns on the old ones without a problem.
Darwin is a large and bustling city. Commerce is booming. Tourism is the main industry, and they must be doing very well, judging from the size and character of the houses.
We had a scrumptious sea-food buffet last night at a local restaurant. Topped off with plum pudding, and chocolate ckae. Life is indeed good!
While we were eating our delicious meal, Murray and Snowy went to the "footie" game. Their team, the Melbourne Bulldogs were playing a game here, and won to their delight. Afterward they went to the races. I asked Snowy how the races were. He replied, "I went to the races, and went home and slept like a baby - I laid awake for an hour, then I cried for an hour!"
I will get some new pictures up after I get back from Mass, but now it is out the door to get there...