Life is a Journey not a Destination

Well, no photos today as the camera is still refusing to work. I woke up around 6am, got myself a cup of tea and headed back to bed to read. Later Amy joined me and we finally got up around 7.30am. I had a shower and dressed and completed my packing. When Dad turned up at 9am I was pretty much organised. He took the first lot of stuff that is staying with the van and came back for the stuff we’re taking home.

After a final check of the cabin I returned the key and headed over to the van. Mum wasn’t feeling well so I sat outside reading (enjoyed another cup of tea) and shortly afterwards Dad took Mum to the doctors. I spent the morning relaxing in the sun, the girls at the park. We organised some lunch shortly before Dad came to pick us up. We had planned to call by the hospital and pick Mum up but she still hadn’t seen the doctor so Dad drove us out to the airport so we could get checked in and went back to pick up Mum.

We got our boarding pass and went through security - getting pulled up because there was a pair of scissors in Amy’s pencil case - I’d forgotten all about them. Oh well. Good they find these things I guess.

We wandered through the shops and got a few things for the girls dance teachers, then went to the cafe. We grabbed a snack and shortly after Mum, then Dad arrived. We sat for about 15mins before it was time to say our farewells. I’m so jealous we miss out on the last part of the trip. It’s been a fantastic trip.

Our flight home was very uneventful. We were served a snack, the girls played theirs DSs and I read. I took the window seat for the first half and got to watch the amazing expanse of desert that we flew over.

We arrived in Sydney at 4.30and went to get our luggage and met our driver for the trip home. He was kind enough to stop at the shops so I could get some milk and bread and we arrived home to a great welcome from Rosie just on 6pm.

Didn’t really unpack, had some dinner and watched some TV before heading up to my wonderful bed.

So much for sleeping in till 7am - today I was awake at 5am. I got up and read some blogs. Later I did a bit of tidying while Kevin got himself organised. At 8.30am we went over to the van to get a group photo of us all before we said our farewells to Kevin - who has now set off on his solo part of the trip. It was after he’d left that I realized my carmera had stopped working. No idea what’s wrong with it. Can’t say I’ll be too happy to be without a camera for next couple of weeks.

The girls went off for a play and I hung out the washing I had put on earlier before we headed out.

First stop was the School of the Air. Fascinating place. We learnt all about the school and how it operates - all done via satellites and computers these days. The girls were quite impressed and Christy decided she’s like to go to school this way. It had become VERY windy while were inside and there is a distinct haze from the red dirt being blown around.

After this we went in search of the Souvenier Warehouse, which we eventually found, to buy some things for the girls to take back for their class mates. We then went into town and had lunch a cafe before browsing through some more shops. Didn’t buy much and we headed back to the van park about 2.30pm.

Had a very relaxing afternoon. The kids got the buggies to ride (though I think they fought more than they rode),

and I got to sit and read for a bit. It’s very warm today and lounging was just the thing to do on this last day of our holiday.

It’s nearly 6pm so I’ll finish up this post, then I’ll head over to the van for our last dinner (and try to find the girls - they just love the freedom of caravan parks).

Tomorrow : Packing and our flight back to Sydney

Another easy morning - we seem to be getting slower as the days go by and I’m even sleeping in to around 7am most mornings now.

At 10am we met up with Mum & Dad and headed to the Old Telegraph Station. This was pretty interesting and informative. Lovely old buidlings.

Next up was the Royal Flying Doctor Service. We heard a talk about how it all works, saw a film and a look around the museum. We had a very yummy lunch sitting outside. Kevin & I shared a delicious Feta and Pumpkin pie.

Then Kevin had to race off for a doctors appointment (he chipped a tooth 2 days ago). When he got back (he was only gone 20mins) the girls and he had a go of the flight simulator.

Then it was onto a cultural center. Not quite what I was expecting but we enjoyed the beanie exhibition in the art gallery and the natural history exhibit.

We arrived back at the cabin about 4pm. The girls managed to get for a ride on the buggies for half an hour - which they were thrilled about.

Kevin & I settled in to write up our blogs. Dinner tonight will be TVP tacos and we might watch a DVD Kevin bought (if I can work out where I put it).

Tomorrow : Kevin departs and we go shopping

Woke up to realize the sun was already up. It was past 7am and we were getting picked up at 7.50 for our quad bike adventure. We made it on time, sending the kids off to the van. After a couple more pick ups we headed out to the Undoolya cattle station where we would ride. We learnt quite a bit about the farm which has been run by the Hayes family for over 100 years. The quad bikes were lots of fun and the landscape spectucular. Unfortunately we only saw a few of the very cute Hereford cows - Mum & calves. Apparently nearly half the herd has been moved to Queensland as they don’t have enough water for them all at the moment.

We were dropped back outside the van park about 11am and met everyone at our cabin. From here we got all organised and headed out to the West Macdonald Ranges. I went on the bike with Kevin and we rode out to Standley Chasm. It was about a 15min walk into the chasm which is best at 1pm - right when we were there as the sun shines right in between the rocks.

We made our way back to the carpark and when to the cafe for lunch. There wasn’t much vegetarian so I ended up with two rather greasy potato scallops (and some of Christy’s leftover bread roll).

Back on the bike and off to Simpson’s Gap. This was a very leisurely walk out to a small section of the river with some water, then a walk back along the dry river bed. It was beautiful as well and the girls really loved it here.

Off again, this time back to the cabin where we had some afternoon tea and a chat. Later we went over to the van where Dad cooked a BBQ dinner and I made a healthy, yummy salad for myself.

Had another bath tonight, then wrote up my blog and am shortly off to bed.

I realized last night that I missed participating in the “A Day in My Life” on the 14th. With Kevin’s encouragement I decided to do it today. So to those new to my blog it just means I’ll be blogging in more detail about what I did today. For those who normally read my “A day in my life” posts, I’m on holidays at the moment - currently in Alice Springs (middle of Australia) so this is far from a normal day.

I awoke about 5.30am and sat out in the loungeroom of our cabin catching up on some blogs and enjoying a couple of cups of tea.

The girls were awake about 7.30am and quickly got dressed and had breakfast before heading out to play at the park. I had a shower and got dressed and about 8.30am went over to the camp laundry to do a big load of washing.

I came back and had some melted cheese on the yummy homemade bread we bought yesterday. Kevin got himself ready and we chased up the girls to come do their hair and teeth. Mum & Dad came over our cabin just after 9am. My washing was still not finished so we had to wait for it. It was finally done about 9.20am and I got it all hung out. It’s shaping up to be a nice, warm day so should dry pretty quickly.

We headed out to the Alice Springs Desert Park - about a 10min drive away.

First we saw a great film about the area. At the conclusion of the film the screen drops away and are met with this stunning view of the outdoors.

We then starting walking along the path, listening to our audio commentaries as we go.

at 11am we went to listen to a talk about Aboriginal weapons and lifestyle. It was very informative, though the girls did get a little bored as the guy seemed to want to keep talking. Us adults enjoyed it though.

By now it was nearly 12pm and we were getting hungry so we headed back to the cafe. I had a very yummy potato salad and some of Kevins corn cob.

We then headed back on our walk around the park. It was very interesting. So many beautiful flowers, trees, lots of birds.

The nocturnal house was especially interesting. I love the thorny devil.

About 2pm we bought an ice-cream as we walked around.

We completed our walk shortly afterwards and went to the gift shop to kill some time before the Birds of Prey show. This was also great. The birds were so amazing to see. The black kite actually catch food on the fly with it’s feet and put it straight in it’s mouth - so cool to see.

We left the park and arrived back at the cabin about 4.30pm. I went to get our washing off the line. So fun to use a big clothesline.

We then went over to Mum’s van for some afternoon tea of cheese, crackers and chips. It was nice to get off my feet and sit relaxing in the sun.

I was lucky enough to see a young kangaroo getting a drink of water.

Just before 6pm we headed back to the van, and the girls came back from the park. It was cold so I had a nice, hot bath (it’s a bit corner bath) and a cup of tea. All warmed up I got dinner organised. Tonight we had chilli con carne (cooked at home and frozen) with organic corn chips. Then Kevin hooked up Mum’s internet for me to use - mine takes far too long to do anything.

It’s nearly 8pm and I’ve been typing this up on my laptop while the photos upload to flickr and I watch some TV. Once this is published I’ll be heading off to bed to read Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon and enjoy yet another cup of tea and probably a Tim Tam.

Okay it’s taken me till 9.15pm and I’m finally signing off and heading for bed.

We left Erldunda about 9am, after enjoying fresh baked bread (again) for breakfast. We arrive in Alice Springs about 11.30am. Our room wasn’t ready but we got the van set up, then had some lunch while sitting in the sun. Kevin arrived shortly afterwards, having gone to get a new tire for the bike.

While we waited for our room to be ready we went into town - first to the visitors center, then for a wander around the mall and finally to get some groceries - well a lot of groceries.

We went back to the van park and our room was ready. We unloaded the groceries and all our bags. Our cabin is very nice and it’s good to know we’re here for the next 5 nights. The girls are happy cause they each get a top bunk.

The girls went off to play at the park while we sat and enjoyed some afternoon tea.

Mum & Dad left about 6.30pm and we had dinner and watched Wipeout - the show we discovered last week. The girls loved it yet again. Then the girls had a bath in the HUGE bath and we all headed off to bed.

Tomorrow : Alice Springs Desert Park

We left Kings Canyon around 8.30am headed back to Erlunda. We arrived about 11.30 and had a nice salad for lunch. Then Pop, Kevin, Amy & I hopped back in the car and drive an hour away, some of which was on dirt road, to see a meteorite site. We walked around the rim and then back to the car. It was a pretty area - lots of rocks.

Back at the van we sat in the sun, enjoying the warmth (and some potato chips). The girls played at the park and later in the van. We’ve got internet access here so I’m uploading the last few days diary entries.

Funnily enough we’ve got the same room tonight that we have when we stayed here last week.

I finally got a decent nights sleep – great bed and okay pillows. We had a quick breakfast in our room this morning.before Mum & Dad picked us at 8am. We drove out to Kings Canyon and I was amazed at how many coaches and cars were already there. We started our climb about 8.30 and finished around 11.30am.

It was so fantastic. Once you get up the huge rock staircase it’s quite an easy walk over the rock surface. We stopped quite a few times to rest and take in the view. It was a very enjoyable walk and the landscape spectacular. Well worth doing. And Mum made it and is very proud of her achievement.

I went with Kevin on the bike back to our room where we changed out of our hiking boots and went over to the van. After a brief rest we walked over to the café to have some lunch. Kevin & I shared a yummy vegetarian pizza.

Next up we went to the pool in the hotel area. The girls enjoyed a little swim and we enjoyed lazing the sun. Kevin had a little sleep in the room.

We then packed up most of our luggage and put into the car before heading over to the van again. We had some afternoon tea sitting in the sun. Then I wrote up my diary for the last 2 days, the girls worked on their visual diaries and we chatted and relaxed.

Around 6pm we had dinner, then headed back to our room.

Pop picked us up at 9am. We loaded up the car and went back to hitch up the van. Just before 10am we left for Kings Canyon. Along the way we an emu crossed the road in front of us.

We stopped briefly for lunch in the van and arrived in Kings Canyon around 1pm. Kevin was already there and checked in. We went around to the van site and got the van all set up.

We sat outside in the sun for a bit. I did a load of washing (things that got missed yesterday). The girls played at the park and later we took them for a swim. The water was pretty cold so they didn’t stay in very long.

We went for a drive out to see Kings Canyon (I went on the bike) so Mum could have a look at the steps at the start of the climb. Kevin and the kids went part way up and Mum decided she’d give it a go tomorrow.

Later we had dinner in the van and then Dad took us back to our hotel room. We settled down for the night with the girls watching the Wizard of Oz (only Christy watched to the end). I tried to read and Kevin watched his own little TV.

Still not sleeping the best at night but I was up at 7am. Around 8am we went around to the shops to stock up on groceries. Kevin, Amy & Christy all got croissants to have for breakfast. By 9am we were all ready and waiting for Nan & Pop to pick up the girls. I went on the bike with Kevin out to the Olgas. I really like the Olgas – they are lovely to look at.

We stopped first at the lookout. After chatting briefly with a Scottish guy who was cycling throughout much of Australia, we did the short walk and enjoyed the view.

Then it was on to the Olgas and to complete the Gorge walk. A much shorter walk than yesterday, this one only took an hour. It was rougher –most over rocks – and it was much winder and colder but I really enjoyed it. We stopped at the end to have a drink and snack before the return walk.

I hopped back on the bike with Kevin for the ride back to our apartment. So much nicer on the return trip as it had warmed it. Plus Kevin had finally solved the sound problem I was having with my comms systems.

The girls got into their swimming costumes and we walked around to the Sails in the Desert Resort. We sat out in the sunshine and ordered some lunch. The girls went off immediately for a swim, Amy got out briefly to eat her lunch when it arrived. They had a great time and we all enjoyed our lunch (and a bit of peace and quiet). I had a really yummy Asian salad – though I used Amy’s honey mustard dressing instead of the one my salad came with.

After the got out and dressed and Christy ate some of her roll for lunch, we went and had a look through some of the shops and bought a few souveniers.

Then it was back to the apartment to get ready for our helicopter flights over Uluru and the Olgas. Poppy paid for the girls (and us) so he took them first, then Kevin & I went. This was fantastic and so worthwhile. It’s amazing seeing these giant formations from the air and gives a much great perspective of their size. Truly a magical experience.

When Kevin & I got back we hopped on the bike and rode over to the van so I could finish off some washing (Mum had started it for me earlier). We did this then got Pop to drop us back to our room around 6.30pm.

I made us TVP tacos tonight, then wrote up my blog and played on the computer for a bit while Kevin did the same, Amy wrote in her art diary and Christy played with her new giant plastic insects.