We must be on holidays, as I don't know what day we are up to, or how long we have been away. It has been nearly weeks, and so far we have survived being together in the caravan. It's good having everything in the van, and we haven't forgotten anything major.
Richard's cold is much better, and looking back, he wasn't well the first week we were away.
The van and 4WD are travelling okay, and we both drive. We drive between 80 - 90kms /hr, so takes awhile to get places. The kids look forward to a day in the car so they can play their DS games which are banned any other times!
We have stayed at Pt. Augusta, Woomera, Glendambo, Mt Ebenezer, Ayers Rock Resort, Kings Canyon & Alice Springs.
Kings Canyon would have to be our favourite, as Ayers Rock was very touristy with lots of people, and you were supposed to stick to the walking tracks only. The Olgas were interesting, and Kings Canyon had so many different rock formations. We went on the rim walk, nearly 6kms, taking our time.
The caravan park was fairly quiet, and this was the first bit of almost warm weather we have had, the kids went in the pool, and were determined to enjoy it! There will be a frost tonight in Alice Springs, so we have the heater on again, although it is cold in the bed ends. (Canvas.)
In Alice Springs, we went to the Reptile Centre, and Scott & Natasha went to the Desert Park, going to a couple of talks about the local area birds, wildlife, and Aboriginal ways. It is a big place, and we did lots of walking. We also encountered some chilly water, walking through the nearby range gaps.
The kids are having fun playing with other kids in the playground, and have met up with some at more than one place. There are lots of families, and other people doing big trips, as well as lots of grey nomads. Everyone has slightly different vans, and vehicles. Some have lots of stuff outside their vans, with huge mats clothes racks, and one toddler had lots of truck toys!
We had the caravan serviced in Alice Springs. We haven't booked any accommodation, so far. Although we couldn't get a powered site one night.
On Wednesday, we did a day trip out west of Alice Springs. At Hermansberg we looked around the old mission buildings and memorabilia of Albert Namatjira, an artist Natasha studied in Yr 12 Art. We 4WD'ed into the Gosse Bluff meteorite crator, and visited friends working at Ormiston Gorge in the West McDonnell Ranges National Park.
We're heading north for warmer weather tomorrow. Not sure when we'll have mobile reception again.
Until next time,
Natasha, Richard, Scott, Larissa & Kelly.