Every Picture Tells a Story

Uluru to Coober Pedy

Ayres Rock, Uluru or whatever you want to call it, is IMPRESSIVE. I don't think it matters what time of day you see the ROCK, it's always going to impress. we went to the Olgas first, kata tjuta is the traditional name and now I'm torn between the three. Mt. Connor,a sandstone mesa, Uluru, a monolith and Kata Tjuta, a conglomerate. They each are beautiful individually and I would prefer not to choose a favourite. suffice to say that the whole area is fascinating and, for the first time visitor, awesome.We had planned ahead and took a salad tea to make sure we were in the right spot for sunset on the rock. We drove around the rock after visiting the interpretive centre that was extremely good. Then we took up , what we had picked earlier, as the best site to view the sunset. it wasn't long before the whole car park was full and we were glad of our earlier planning. Spoke to Graham, who asked us to take his photo in front of the rock. Graham is a kiwi and riding a POSTIE BIKE around Oz..Unreal..Anyway, sunset incredible. Some cloud on the horizon changed the colour early but it came back again. After sunset we made our way with the throng, to Yalara and bought some diesel that would assist tomorrow. $2.10/ltr but we have seen it more expensive. 90klms back to Curtin Springs and a speed limit of 110. I choose to drive at 90-100 and I'm glad I did. A big red kangaroo came out of nowhere and hit the front of our vehicle and fortunately didn't do a lot of damage although paid the eternal price for this venture. Another 30klms to go before we got back to the van, not easy, but we were ok.
Next day, Andrew, a father of 3 who we had met at Macdonnel ranges caravan park had arrived with his family into Curtin Springs. Marg recognised daughter Abbie from pancake Sunday at the park in Alice. Andrew   helped me get the parking light back into a secure holding place and we lit a fire and happy hour with Charlie and Monique. Marg cooked cheese scones in our new bodurie and we learnt a lot from these French/swiss people.
Away and heading East again. At Erldunda we fuel up at .40c less than at Yulara and meet Graham (postie bike) again.
As we turn South, the tail wind is obvious and we cruise at 100klm'h and sit on about 13.5ltrs/100klms a great run. Into Marla bore tourist resort for the night after a couple of stops and once again passing GRAHAM. The night at Marla was incredible. Started with a dust storm and then the loudest electrical display we have heard/seen for a long time. The rain was only nuisance value but the lightning incredible.

Mount Conno

Uluru

Sunset at the Rock

Kata Tjuta

We had learnt from Simone at Macdonnel Ranges that the drive South to Port Augusta was boring. We can now confirm that although, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" applies as well. There is a LONG way between these points and done on a regular basis it could become mundane, however as first time visitors, we find the changes subtle but there just the same. the ghan train line comes back and is gone again, the undulating road gives views of hidden valleys and salt pans and rolling bare hills and then white mini-peaks that is the lunar type landscape around Coober Pedy.

Erldunda Footy Final

Before leaving Alice we watched as Collingwood were eliminated from the rest of the years matches by a great side Sydney Swans. Hope that they do well against the hawks in the Grand final. we watched the second semi at Erldunda tavern with allan and carol who are from Adelaide and of course Crows supporters. They are also disappointed with the crows demise, but, hey, there's always next year and nobody knows that saying like a Collingwood supporter.
Next day it's off to Kings Canyon. We stay at kings Creek station that is manned by international back packers. We're fine with that although language can still be a problem. Anyone rang Telstra  or Bigpond with problems lately?Anyway, we find our site with the help of a Geordie on a quad bike, out here on a two year working visa and about to leave at the end of the month because "It'll be too hot ay." Settle in and we still have plenty of time to explore Kings Canyon. Visit the resort first and check out their campinmg facilities and there is definitely more grass. We have red sand. The walk into Kings canyon was great. An easy walk in 34C heat and we should have taken our water with us but you learn from these things. Some insane people took the rim tour and we saw them half way up to the top of the canyon and they looked as if they were struggling, I know we would have been at that stage. At the end of the canyon, a school group arrived as we were appreciating the dramatic views. They set up for a group shot and we got out before take 18 or "stop mucking around" from one of the teachers. Chat resulted in they were staying at same place and putting a concert on tonight, please come along...... Bairnsdale secondary College band and the concert was VERY good.Off to Curtin Springs station next morning and caught a glimpse of what we thought was the ROCK but instead it was the equally impressive Mt.Connor as we came back to the intersection to turn to Ularu.

Curtin Springs is a station of about a million acres, yeah thats right!! it's 1,600 sq miles.. In a practical sense that's a lot of ground to look after. So if the homestead is in the centre, it's 2 days travel to the front gate. Our perth friends Ivan and Chris, in Ivans job he called a station owner once and was asked where are you, he replied at your front gate, the farmer replied OK I'll see you in two days, cos thats how long it took from the homestead to the front gate..WOW..

Alice to Erldunda

well, we said goodbye to Alice this morning, not so much a goodbye as a so long? (a corny mid 50's phrase)  we will be back. have been very impressed by the Alice. Moving on today.  we leave nice and early as far as the temp is concerned. Out of the park by about 9.20 and hit the road. I had already topped up the diesel yesterday, so it was really only a matter of packing up the camp. Under normal circumstances, i would be a lot more organised but with Collingwood playing in a semi and it coming through live, i had other things on my mind. i would usually dismantle the awning rafters, pack up the bbq and put the chairs in their travel bags before the morning came, BUT.....  Anyhow, all is history now, on the road and the EVER changing landscape seems to enthrall us with every turn. Changes between, riverbeds. grasslands and woodlands as well as the sandy areas incorporating salt pans as well, always changing, always grabbing your attention. Traffic is slow on the road today and we have wondered if the Road Trains have the weekends off because I am sure the number we meet must be minimal and I'm fine with that. We pause for a break at a monument for cannonball memorial. two officials and two Japanese competitors died here in 1994 doing what they all loved, no other details but I am sure they would be available. tragic circumstances I am sure, and I'm not gonna look for any more detail. we see bearded dragons on different parts of the road, traffic warning signs for kangaroos and a new one for camels. All the while, new messas come into view, rich in colour and the jump ups relatively close to the road look as if they have been placed there ever so carefully by a clever stonemasons hand but they were there before the masons, lovely stuff.

Every Picture Tells a Story

Around a town like Alice

I had mentioned in a previous Blog that we intended to go to those other attractions of the area but we have found that the NATURAL are much better. West Macdonnel ranges are amazing. The shape of these ranges and the trauma that occurred during there formation makes me glad that it was all done before we got here. Standley chasm that we have seen photos of and been featured in travel docos for years is better in  the flesh,so to speak.Simpsons gap didn't sound much but there again we were amazed at its beauty and ruggedness. Warming up here quickly so the morning is the best time to walk through these natural beauties than after lunch. We are learning. Dinner out at Robin and Darrells place was a nice catch up after nineteen years, and they have Sturt desert peas growing wild in their garden and at full flower at the moment, another WOW.John Flynn, from RFDS fame was a great pioneer of the inland. Flynn was born at Moliagul in victoria and died in Alice Springs and is buried beneath a large rock/monument beneath the West Macdonnel Ranges. Quite a fitting place for him when you know his history and what a great man he was.

Every Picture Tells a Story