Alice Springs NT

3^rd May 2012  We left Woomera at about 8.30am and made our way out to the highway and turned North.  

 Lake Hart just out of Woomera - a panorama

 a closer shot of the Salt Lake

 the countryside that we travelled though today

We made our way to Glendambo and refuelled the cars.  $1.699 per litre.  We also had a bit of a walk around We travelled as far as Ingomar station and stopped at the road stop.  We arrived at 12.30pm and set up for the night.  This stop is on top of a rise and we had a great view of the landscape. 

 Ingomar Rest stop - a panorama

 this is where we stayed the night

 Glendambo Roadhouse

 Sunset

 sun - gone

 here comes the night sky

 We watched the sun go down and again it did not disappoint but by golly the sun disappeared very quickly.  The flies are terrible J and the need of our fly-net was great J.  We were unable to have a fire tonight as it is such an open area and traffic keeps coming and going.

4^th May 2012 Today we made our way to Cadney Homestead in SA.  We refuelled here at $1.98 per litre and stayed the night in the van park.  $25 per night for a powered site. Water (bore water but was good through the B.E.S.T filter) and good amenities also.  There is also a pool available for guests.  There is an airstrip for the RFDS and also the Ghan goes past twice a week.  Not for us though L

  Sunrise at Ingomar

 and here it is......

the 'Big Truck' at Coober Pedy

 Mural at the big truck

 mine excavation

 looking toward Coober Pedy

  Landscape near Coober Pedy

 Buster in his Chair at Cadney Homestead

 our camp

 Buster again :)

Darryl and I went into the restaurant for dinner.  I had Chicken Kiev and Darryl had the Cadney Homestead Grill.  Both lovely meals and well priced also.  They have happy hour every night from 6-7pm with selected beers and wines $1 off normal cost.

5^th May 2012 Today we made our way to Agnes Creek South of Kulgera and still in SA.  This is a great rest stop with lots of area along the creek bank.  We got our positions just after lunch and set up.  

  a messa

 our travelled road today

 a very tired puppy dog

 set up at Agnes Creek

 a gum in the creek

 more gums

 the moon rising

 sunset

 here comes the night sky

 final sunset colours

 We dug ourselves a good fire pit and then went foraging for the firewood.  Lots of it available.  There are already two vanners here and they look like they have been here a while.  No water in the creek but cool sand in the shade.

 our campfire

 moon shining on the clouds

By night fall we are joined by 4 more vans, 2 motor homes, a 4X4, a campervan and a camper trailer.  All those staying the night had a lovely campfire to sit besides.  The moon was brilliant tonight.  No need for torches as you could see quite a distance just in the moonlight.

6^th May 2012 – Happy Birthday to my sister Jenny.  Hope you are having a great day.  We have been without mobile access since we left Woomera so have no idea what is happening out there in the ‘real’ world.  We travelled to The NT today – arriving at the border just on 9.30am.  

 leaving South Australia

 Welcome to the Northern Territory

We then continued on our way to Kulgera where we again refilled the fuel tanks.  Price here was $2.10per litre. 

 Kulgera Roadhouse

 Northern Territory roads - can you see the eagle???

 a rocky mountain

  We then continued another 180km to our stop for the day – Finke River rest stop.

Right on the river bank and there is actually some water in the river – not much (a couple of puddles actually) but water just the same.  It is right be the highway but hopefully we will have a good night.  We have already been joined by two more caravans and a motorhome and it is just 1.45pm.
By nightfall there were over 20 vehicles parked in this little camp spot.  Ohh but such a great spot.

 Finke River

 checking out the water hole at Finke River

7^th May 2012 – Happy Birthday to our daughter Beckie.  A big 32 today.  Hoping you are having a great day with your family OR did you celebrate yesterday as it was the weekend???? Whichever – we hope that you have had a great day and that our card has arrived J  

Today we have travelled from Finke River into Alice Springs – about a 90km trip – such long days!!!!  We will be staying here for four nights and hope to see a bit of ‘the ALICE’.  We are staying in a little van park about 9 km out of Alice and it is great with a fantastic backdrop.

 here come the red rock hills

 Welcome to Alice Springs

 Our backdrop on arrival

 Heading into Alice Springs through Heavitree Gap

 Our backdrop as the sun starts to go down

 Sunset in progress

Went into Alice for lunch only to find that most things were closed because it is a public holiday here – oops – forgot about May Day L L

8^th May Did two loads of washing this morning and then headed into Alice.  For some reason there was internet coverage for a short while yesterday – but I wasn’t quick enough for it – and today there is none at all.  Even the phone doesn’t want to work properly.  Whilst in Alice we found out that someone cut through a cable (somewhere between here and Darwin) and disconnected the internet to the bottom half of the Territory.  Hopefully it will be back on soon…………  In the meantime I got some lovely fabrics with Aboriginal prints on them from local artists..... yay

Got a message from my cousin Kerri telling me that her Mum is not real well.  Sorry to hear that guys and our thoughts are with you all. 

Darryl and I are well and Buster is travelling ok.  We left him in the van yesterday when we went into town and several people told us on our return that he constantly barked and cried L

Today when we went to town we left him outside with his bed and plenty of water and it seems to have been what he wanted.  Thankfully J

The weather today was up to 32 degrees with a morning temp of 11 degrees ---- yay…..

9th May Today we travelled out to Simpsons Gap

 driving into Simpson's Gap

nearly there

 walking the creek bed

 getting closer

 looking back up the creek

into the gap we go

 Simpson's Gap

 can you see how the young tree is engulfing the old tree???

 part of the West McDonnell range

and then back to see Flynn's grave

 Flynn's grave

 Flynn's grave

  and then to the Araluan Cultural Precinct in town.  We saw the Albert Namatjira display and the Aviation Museum, near here is the Alice Springs Cemetary and Albert's final resting place.  

We then headed to Anzac hill for a 360 degree view.

Panorama of Alice Springs looking South

Looking to the West McDonnell Range

Looking to the East McDonnell Range

part of the East McDonnell Range

 Anzac Hill memorial at Alice Springs

 a ghost gum in the van park

 can you see the Eagle?

a young kangaroo this afternoon.

 there is a joey in that pouch :)

 Albert Namatjira's grave

 Lassiter's grave

Back to the van and to find that Buster has been a very good dog today and only barked when people got too close.

9pm - got word this evening that my Aunty Nancy passed away.  Our deepest and sincerest sympathies to the immediate and extended families.  Aunty Nancy was the 'keeper of the family stories' and unfortunately none of us managed to get them on tape before she went to join Uncle Billy.  Such a sad evening.....
Will have to try and find out if there are any flights that we can get to get back to Wagga for the funeral.