Perth via Darwin - Part 2

22^nd July Day 4

Sunrise

A  day to remember, It’s our daughter Chareen's birthday and our Grandson’s Timothy’s  21^st birthday. Phoned Chareen this morning and Timothy unfortunately had gone back to bed so unable to wish him.

We had quite a restful sleep and this time the alarm clock set right BUT yes I am about the tell you a secret. Dennis went to shower at 5.30 and did not switch the alarm clocks off yes there are 2 of them for just in case???? Phone alarm and clock alarm so with the result is while he was in the shower the alarms went off and I’m pretty sure it set the whole camp off. I’m sure by the end of the trip he would be able to get it right.

We had breakfast and packed up and hit the road at 8.06 AM and the temp was 9.2 C. The terrain consisted of mining dumps as far as the eye could see. We decided to do our next CD Which was the beginning of Mark.

SA/NT Border

Our next stop was Marla where we filled up with diesel and had a cuppa and strawberries muffins and cream. This station has a bank, a post office, police station, super market and a restaurant. During our drive to the border I read the next 2 chapters of “4 Blood moons” from Pastor John Haggee. Very interesting, a definite must read. We finally arrived at the South Australia and Northern Territory border.

Here one can spend the night  without charge. One of the most strangest signs yet to see is on entering NT the sign says Maximum Speed limit in the NT is 110 about 100 meters down from that sign is the speed limit is 130K’s.  One can now feel the climate change and temperatures rising to 28 C when we arrived at Erldunda  Staying at Deserts Oaks resort. It’s very dry here but most pleasant to. I did some washing and hung it out to dry on our minie clothes line. Dennis had to go and buy pegs as he left them at home not thinking we would need them on the trip. Saved by the shop but at quite an expense $10.50 for 5 pegs. Umm bit of a worry this is. Anyway all is well in the Juniper caravan the air con is on and  been served a cuppa tea which I enjoyed with a Trim Healthy cake and cream. What a way to still loose weight.

23^rd July  Day 5

Today is Isaac’s birthday turning 7. We speak with them via skype tonight and it was a great joyous time for me talking to all my chicks.

Today we left Desert Oaks but first having breakfast at the at the Tavern of bacon and eggs on toast with a cuppachino. They had a display of echedina and a Frilled lizard, I took a photo photos of them. We left Erldunda with tummies full and began reading the 4 blood moons to chapter 7.

The road to Alice

We are thoroughly enjoying this book. It was a most pleasant drive with the terrain varying from flat dry shrubbery to hills on entering the Alice Springs area. Many road trains passed us and caravaners busy holidaying and sight seeing historic sites along the way.

We booked into the Wintersun caravan park a delightful place with trees hovering over the caravans giving them the much needed shade. People busying themselves erecting their vans and some doing washing and

Replacing the Anderson plug

hanging it up the place giving a restful atmosphere. We set up camp and off to the town to look around and to purchase some goods for the caravan and to replace the Andersons switch for the caravn at Jaycar. Dennis had to replace ours as it came unstuck along the way and got damaged by the road.  We also did some exploring and went up to ANZAC Hill and took photos. This hill overlooks the whole of Alice Springs and it’s surrounding hills giving it a homely appearance. Dennis brought me back to the camp and he returned to give out some catalogs to some customers.

ANZAC Hill

 Came back and fixed the switch and by this time it was time for dinner and a chat with the family.  Oh yes we also went to the information centre to find out more about this town. 

Untila the early 1930’s the town’s offical name was Stuart. Alice Springs was the name given originally to the waterhole at the site of the repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line. However,this dual naming created such confusion for administration in Adelalide that on the 31 August 1933 the township of Stuart was officially gazetted Alice Springs. This information was taken from Australian Tourist publications booklet handed out in the information centre.

After dinner we spend most evenings catching up with our touring journel and looking at photos taken during the day. We retire fairly early due to the tiredness and contentment of the days journey and besides the camp shuts down to a quitenes to tranquility.

24^th July Day6

 Up fairly early, showered, breakfast and of cause the washing of clothes. All done and off to sight see outside Alice springs.

Simsons Gap

First stop was Simsons Gap, a 10 minute walk to the spot which was absolutely breath taking with the rock formation surrounding the area was magnificient. It amazes me to see how trees can bulge out the side of a rock formation and dig it’s roots securely there and yet blossom into this magnificient tree. We returned to the car and had a cuppa and THM brownie cake with chocolate cream cheese.



We left there and our next stop was to Ellery’s cree Big hole. One can camp here and it still amuses me to find honesty boxes around. Please take envelope and place your camp fees in and place in box. The abultion blocks is emaculately kept for being out in the outback. It was a short walk to the water hole and once again we stood in awe at the beauty of our surroundings. Dennis took some beautiful photos of the water reflections. One can swim here but warning signs were around saying of the strong currents and rocky base of water. On touching the water it was quite pleasant. Here too the rock formation is just wonderful. The picnic area was lovely and it’s here we had our lunch and a cuppa.

The Kilometers to here was 88k’s. We decided to head back to Alice Springs and visist the Telegraphic heritage site which coast $9 entry fees. We thoroughly enjoyed our stroll around the heritage buildings reading information of the past and how life was here in the early 1850+. We had a cuppa here and enjoyed the slight breeze blowing. I can’t imagine the heat here in summer especially what the pioneers endured no air conditioner.

Until next time .................Spend some time alone