Old Update # 12- Alice Springs & Wildlife Park

17/05/08 The Local Arid Research Centre had a day out - so off we went.

Jaws-of-life demo.

Reptile handling - Heidi HATES reptiles.

Get that tail out of your groin James ! ! !

All sorts of interesting stuff.

Even Camel sausages ! ! (No Photo)

Back at the Van Park.

These huge Jumping 'Pillows' are great. The Dad's have just as much fun as the kids.

We don't normally like van parks - but this one was OK. Nice big-ish sites and...........

Free Pancakes on Sunday Morning. Well - not really free - just 'included in the price'. BUT - Is that the BIGGEST hotplate you've ever seen ??

Only trouble is - it makes it a rush to get to meeting.

This is why we didn't go back for 'seconds'. Everyone loves 'somethin for nuthin'

This is John Napia from Alice Springs Cong. He knew Heidi and her family when they were in West Queensland in the mid 70's.

As a side issue - without exception - every cong we have been to, there is either some WE know, or someone who knows someone we know. A reminder of "a small world in 'The Truth' ".

Haircut time.

Oh.. Ohhhhh.. here we go again....

Desert Wildlife Park - Awesome free-flight bird show.

Here's James interrogating the presenter afterwards.

Desert Flower

Anyone hungry ???????

EAST Macdonnell Ranges

Another walk - come-on Em's, you'll be right !

How's that for a Ghost Gum ! ! !

There is so much dust out here.

At least the roads are good.

Old Update #11 - Alice Springs - Anniversary Time.

Our 16th Anniversary (16 May 2008) was in Alice Springs - how romantic...n't.

BUT - THANKS FOR ALL YOUR' PHANE CALLS AND SMS'S - IT MEANT A LOT !!

Unbeknown to Heidi & I, the kids had been making streamers, and wrapping gifts and a 'pass-the-parcel' for us.

We know they were up to something - but they really did surprise us.

Most of it was done while we were driving - Good effort.

The lovely couple themselves.

What's an anniversary without Champagne ??



Let's go "ALL - OUT" and have take-away ! Now THAT would be a real celebration.

Emma & James were so thrilled that they had kept these things hidden from us.

ONE of my gifts - yum

Definite THEME building here.

THANKS KIDS...

Things must be desperate

You know things must be desperate when we start resorting to this kind of behaviour.

Anyone got a job they want doing?

I'm offering the standard '3 X 3' warrantee. (3 km's or 3 minutes depending on how fast I drive !)

Ooops

Ooooops

Not us though - thank goodness.

Old Update #10 - West Macdonnell Ranges

Here's the site of the fatal car crash that ended the Cannonball Run in 1994.

Heading West from Alice Springs into the West Macdonnell Ranges, and we found a nice look-out that we were able to camp at for a few nights.

We did a few walks, did some schooling, watched some sunsets, drank some beer etc. It was lovely.

The colours in the sunsets were great - we were looking straight up the valley at the sunset - couldn't get a better spot.

An example of one of the sunsets.

This is looking West - but early in the morning

You can see why the sunsets end up so nice.

Anyone care to go into business with a State Government that CAN'T EVEN SPELL !! ? ??

Another walk - this time Ormiston Gorge

James just surveying the 'Talent' - ONYA SON ! !

Free showers - Yay ! ! ! It's amazing how excited we get about simple pleasures like this.

Another fire - James looks tuckered out.

Another view of our campsite. Rocky here - but great spot.

Emma's turn to set & light the fire.

School-of-the-air in Alice Springs. This means a whole lot more to the kids now.

Old Update #9 - Kings Canyon

Just a few 100 kms from Ayers Rock is Kings Canyon - Underrated and definitely worth the visit.

The 'Rim Walk' was spectacular ! ! !

This is a 'view from the air' of 'King's Canyon'

This is the beginning of the walk.

Can you guess what Heidi said??? - Yep.... "MY HAT ! ! ! "

Ahhhh.. The steep bit's over.

Looking into the "Kings Canyon"

Heidi hanging over the edge - Hang on Love ! !

Where those people are is where we will be in a couple of hours.

Whoa ! -See what I mean.

Looks like the 'Bungle Bungles' ! !

Only smaller.....

Aaahhhh.. Dirt roads - definitely OVERRATED.

The 1st "Major Mitchell" we have seen...

Next stop - West MacDonald Ranges (Just West of Alice Springs)