Darwin | Part 2
This was quick stopover and reset. The plan was to do a photo workshop for Fortem and look after Billie for John and Justine. Plans changed.
Message from Fortem, workshop cancelled.
Message from John, they aren’t going to the festival after all but we are more than welcome to stay anyway.
A few hours working on Send it for the Strays campaign and we were inside sitting at the dinner table with John, Justine and Johns mum. It was really nice to chat and catch up on what everyone has been up to since we left. John & Justine have become our Darwin home.
Back at it. Today was not so chilled. We hit the ground running.
Straight up, Astrid was working. On the computer messaging people on Linked in. Finding out how far her contacts and reach goes, who she can contact in the 4x4 world to help the Send it for the Strays campaign. Went as far as emailing the CEO of Supercheap auto. Fingers crossed.
While Astrid worked, Bec was in full housewife mode, with the line and clothes racks over flowing with washing.
Long hair scruffy days are over, it’s time for a haircut for Bec. Haircuts a topic, Astrid reckons Bec should have a mullet for when we do the Old Telegraph Track. Go full Australian. That she will get a tattoo, Bec a mullet. What a pair.
Bec fresh cut
Fish Feeding. Elena had given Astrid fish feeding in Darwin for her birthday. Off we went. There were mullet, a few barra, catfish, stingrays, shovel nose ray, and milk fish. So many fish, so much bread.
Back home, out came the Rosé and the creativity. We sat around bouncing ideas around about keeping Pumba & the HJ47 and having them on display in a 4x4/car shop (e.g. Toyota). Rosé and a curry … an interesting idea has been born.
23rd August – Applying for jobs
Todays thought bubble … Astrid is going to apply for marketing jobs in the companies we want sponsorship from. At interview, she has everyone she needs then instead of an interview she gives them the Send it for the Strays campaign and see if they are on board. Ballsy, love it. So the afternoon was spent applying for jobs.
Astrid on the phone, lining up sponsors for Send it for the Strays.
On this jobs list on seek appeared Gorilla Cars. Gorilla Cars is a 4x4 car sales yard. A VERY casual ad sparked a genius idea from Astrid … they employ her for social media marketing, she puts their sticker on our car and we provide them with 4x4 content as we travel Australia ... on the phone, it rings, he picks up, busy, can he call tomorrow? Damit, guess this will have to wait till tomorrow.
A break from the computer & pop into TJM to get a sand flag for our Simpson Desert Crossing in a month.
This led to another genius tangent by Astrid, walking in and explaining our campaign and see how we can get partnerships and sponsorships.
Astrid talking to a 4x4 company in Darwin.
This girl was on fire today! From here to JB-HI fi, Pet Stock to Harvey Norman. The energy limitless.
What a day. Oh and ARB (yes ARB) read our email with the Send it for the Strays campaign and want to have a chat to discuss sponsorship. Along with ARB, Evakool and Supercheap also are next on the list for a phone call. We are super excited to see sponsors lining up.
Speaking of sponsors, Lukas is down at the Melbourne 4x4 was chatting to Steve from Saber (a recovery company we have partnered with) … looks like we have lights, winch bar, fringe and possibly a roof top tent.
24th August – Leaving Darwin to Gunpoint
We had to do it, we couldn't leave without giving the compost toilet a go.
After a morning workout we sat at the table discussing the days plans and the sponsorship line up for the campaign.
In between Studio has spent the last couple of weeks working on our branding … when we discussed with them us reaching out to Budgie Smuggler, just wait. They are also working on merch… So much more than we expected. We are really looking forward to seeing what the girls have been up to.
A hug goodbye to John & Billie (Justine was out) and we left our Darwin home to head for Gunpoint Beach.
GunPoint Beach. A horrible name but a cute place.
Our campsite for the next couple of days.
Even has reception. Astrid got a video call in with the girls for a catch up.
Watching the sunset over the ocean
Astrid cooking a delicious stir-fry.
To then wake to the peaceful sounds of the ocean, climb out of Pumba to see the warmest glow and air filled with mist, made for a beautiful way to wake up.
The beach was beautiful by morning light.
Leg workout, using Pumba as our gym.
The last couple of days has been full tilt Send it for the Strays. Just about to leave and head to to Katherine then East Arnhem Land. Currently the sponsorships/partnerships that we are in conversation with are: In Between Studio, Saber Off-road, Toyo Tyres, Supercheap, Evakool, ARB, 9 News ... the campaign idea was only born a month ago but we are so excited for not only how much traction we have got but where it is going.
Astrid hard at work.
Our next chapter, East Arnhem Land. We have been waiting to not only explore East Arnhem Land but photograph the music festival, East Arnhem Live.
East Arnhem Land here we come.