Woke up to the 'Norm', cool early morning. A big day of driving today.

We left Yulara CP about 8:30am, I decided that as we have 440kms to drive that I will set cruise to 100kph and stuff the fuel economy. Our first rest stop was at Curtin Springs, then onto Erldunda for diesel. For the 251kms covered so far, our economy was 20.5litres per 100kms. A bit different to my 16.3 l/100 when I set cruise to 85kph. Our lunch stop was at Stuart Wells, where we stopped for a beautiful hamburger, where Dinky the Dingo sings.
We arrived at MacDonnell Range Holiday park, which have very large sites with grass, about 2:30pm. The afternoon was very restful, just sitting in the shade and relaxing. We are here for 7 days for some serious R&R.

Our Wedgetail eagle count increased by 5 today to a total of 16.

Tomorrow, we are going to the shopping centre and that is it. Just sit back and relax.

Woke up to a cold 'Norm', 7:30am it was 2c outside by our sensor, a tad cold, but 22c by lunchtime with a cool breeze.

We did a couple of loads of washing before going into town, to check it out. Had a coffee and pie, then visited various shops, including souvenir shops, bought a few things. Back at camp for a lazy afternoon, watching footy and updating our website. We have new neighbours (Alan and Robyn in their 5th Wheeler, last saw them at Port Augusta).
I noticed that the V8s are at Winton,Vic this weekend, but Ch7 won't be showing them until 10:30pm, after the footy. I found that they will be shown on GWN (Sat TV), so I setup the Dish, it has suffered a bit of damage at Coober Pedy, when the wind blew it over twice, the result is that it takes longer to tune in and that I miss out on ch 14 - 17, not a great loss as they are ABC & SBS. It still works and gets all the channels I need. I also pegged it down, so it will not blow over again. Another lesson learnt.

Woke up to a cold 'Norm', 7:30am it was 1.1c outside by our sensor. Last night, I was a bit cold in bed with 2 blankets, so tonight, I will breakout my beautifully warm sleeping bag again, it hasn't made an appearance, since Leighton's at Easter.

This morning at camp, the management of the park, cooks pancakes for the patrons, for free. This happens between 8:30 and 9:30am in the BBQ area, you bring your chairs, plates and mug. We will go if Marg is awake, currently, she is dead to the world.

Well, we missed pancakes but Alan (neighbour) told us how good they were, also told us that the sunday market was at Todd Mall, well, we were dressed and away very quickly. Marg bought 3 aboriginal cards for $5 each and was rapt.
On the way back to camp, we visited Anzac Hill and naturally I took some photos, then visited the RSL, was going to have a meal there tonight, but their bistro is only open from Tuesday to Saturday.
At 2pm, I dropped Marg off at the Casino, while she was away, I watched Lowndesy win his 2nd race for the weekend at Winton and also revamped our website.

Woke up to a cold 'Norm', 7:30am it was 1c outside by our sensor. Last night, I used my sleeping bag and I was as warm as a bug in a rug. It did reach a very nice 22c about 2pm.

Today we decided to goto Standley Chasm and Simpson Gap, about 50kms due west along the West MacDonnell Ranges. The brochure said that the best viewing time for Standley Chasm was between 11am and 1pm, as the sun would be illuminating the chasm, so we left camp about 10am. The views of the West MacDonnell ranges along the way out, were beautiful and my photos did not do them justice. Arrived at the Koisk/carpark about 11am and paid the $8 each entry fee and then walked about 400m to the chasm, I left Marg as she was collecting rocks along the way. The views of the cliff walls were very impressive. I waited for Marg just before the chasm and took numerous photos. The sun was just lighting up the chasm. Back at the carpark, there were 2 large American 5th Wheelers (Wildcat and Cruiser), that are travelling together, we saw them back at Kings Canyon.
Next on the agenda was Simpson Gap, believe it or not, this is a gap between the mountains, about 30kms closer to Alice. Entry is free and we walked about 200m from the carpark beside a dry sandy creekbed. The gap is another impressive sight, there were meant to be Black footed Rock wallabies about, but we didn't see any, although another tourist said he did see one. Sure Mate!
On the outskirts of town, was John Flynn's memorial, this is where the sealed bike path starts to Simpson Gap, while I was taking photos, we met a cyclist, who had run out of water, so I gave him my drink bottle. My Good Samaritan deed for the day.

Back at camp about 2pm, just in time for a nanna nap.
Dinner was Chicken Kiev and vegies, yumma and nothing on TV tonight, so I am updating the website.
We have listed what we want to see in Alice.

1. Goto Todd Mall Sunday Street market. - Done
2. See West MacDonnell range - including Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap - Done
3. Reptile Centre
4. School of the Air.
5. Alice Springs Desert Park (Day and Night)
6. Royal Flying Doctor Service
7. Old Ghan Train Museum
8. Souvenir Warehouse
9. Road Transport Museum
10. I want to photo the current Ghan (It is in Alice on Thursday between 1:45pm and 6pm)

Tomorrow, Marg wants to visit School of the Air

Woke up to a cold 'Norm', 7:30am it was 1.4° outside by our sensor. It should reach about 22° today, I just heard on the news that Darwin's lowest overnight was 25.3° but it still has 80% humidity. Not Good, we are in no rush to get to Darwin's humidity.

Today we will probably go to the School of the Air, Marg is interested to see how it operates, last year we tried when we were in Longreach, but it was school holidays.

Well, it's 7:30pm and what a busy day.
Mid morning we went to the School of the Air and watched an actual lesson being broadcast, very interesting, their most remote student is 1,200 kms away and the school area measures 1.3 million square kms.
Onto Coles for some supplies, nice shopping centre with a coffee shop, also a gem shop, bad mistake, Marg and I are off tomorrow looking for Unakite at a site near Alice. Back to camp to unload the shopping, then off to the Ghan museum and the Road Transport museum. The Ghan museum $8 each was a bit disappointing, not much to see, but the Road Transport museum $12 each was excellent, Marg didn't want to come in and waited outside for me, so I had to rush, otherwise, it would take hours.

I wanted to find the Alice Spring train station, because on Thursday I want to photograph the Ghan, we did find it, but it was closed today, it only opens on the days that the Ghan comes to town. From here, we visited the area that we will be fossicking in tomorrow. Now it was 3:20pm and the Reptile Centre had a 3:30pm talk, so we stopped off at the Reptile Centre ($12 each). We finally got back to camp at 4:30pm, but were leaving at 5pm for the Memo Club for dinner, Marg had to play the pokies and I had to drink, after 10 minutes, Marg gave me $50 that she just won, this paid for dinner and drinks. By the way, Marg does not always win, only occassionally, anyway dinner was good, I had a chicken parma and Marg had a beef parma.

We have listed what we want to see in Alice.

1. Goto Todd Mall Sunday Street market. - Done
2. See West MacDonnell range - including Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap - Done
3. Reptile Centre - Done
4. School of the Air. - Done
5. Alice Springs Desert Park (Day and Night)
6. Royal Flying Doctor Service
7. Old Ghan Train Museum - Done
8. Souvenir Warehouse
9. Road Transport Museum - Done
10. I want to photo the current Ghan (It is in Alice on Thursday between 1:45pm and 6pm)
11. Go Fossicking for Unakite.
12. Ride a Camel (a big one for me).

Tomorrow, we are off to an area near the Pistol Club to fossick for Unakite rocks.

Woke up to a cold 'Norm', 7:30am it was 1.8c outside by our sensor. At 3pm it reached 24c.

Today we left camp about 8am to go and look for Unakite, we arrived at 2 hills, and parked the mighty Navara on the side of the road that leads to the Pistol club. Marg found enough rock in about 20 minutes, so we were off back to camp.
After 4 or 5 loads of washing, we were off to the Frontier camels for a camel ride, but they were closed. Not to be beaten, we found another camel place (Camel Trek - www.cameltracks.com), who did one hour rides, so Marg booked us in for the 2:30pm ride. We arrived and I felt sorry for my poor camel, as I am such a 'lightweight'. Our ride lasted an hour and it was very enjoyable.

We are now back at camp and buggered after such a strenuous day. It must be happy hour somewhere and I need a beer.

Our list is getting smaller.

1. Goto Todd Mall Sunday Street market. - Done
2. See West MacDonnell range - including Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap - Done
3. Reptile Centre - Done
4. School of the Air. - Done
5. Alice Springs Desert Park (Day and Night) - probably won't get to this one.
6. Royal Flying Doctor Service - probably won't get to this one.
7. Old Ghan Train Museum - Done
8. Souvenir Warehouse - major drama, I can't find the address.
9. Road Transport Museum - Done
10. I want to photo the current Ghan (It is in Alice on Thursday between 1:45pm and 6pm)
11. Go Fossicking for Unakite. - Done
12. Ride a Camel (a big one for me). - Done

Tomorrow is our last full day in Alice, I have to stalk the Ghan and take a photo.

Woke up to a cool 'Norm', 7:30am it was 7° outside by our sensor, positively balmy. At 2pm it reached 22°.

Today we left camp about 10am to go shopping. We stopped at the Alice Springs Station and there was the Ghan, all 27 passenger cars and 2 car carriages. Gee, it is huge.

Got to the shopping centre did our shopping then stopped for a coffee. As we approached camp, I noticed about 6 people waiting for the Ghan, so I left Marg back at camp and sped off to take photos of the Ghan. After about 10 minutes of waiting, it appeared around the corner and by this time, there were about 15 crazy people like me, taking photos.

We are going back to Coles Liquorland about 4:30pm , so I can buy some beer. Liquorland only opens from 2pm onwards, not before. On the way home, we are having dinner at the Memo Club again.

Our list is getting smaller.

1. Goto Todd Mall Sunday Street market. - Done
2. See West MacDonnell range - including Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap - Done
3. Reptile Centre - Done
4. School of the Air. - Done
5. Alice Springs Desert Park (Day and Night) - probably won't get to this one.
6. Royal Flying Doctor Service - probably won't get to this one.
7. Old Ghan Train Museum - Done
8. Souvenir Warehouse - major drama, I can't find the address.
9. Road Transport Museum - Done
10. I want to photo the current Ghan (It is in Alice on Thursday between 1:45pm and 6pm) - Done
11. Go Fossicking for Unakite. - Done
12. Ride a Camel (a big one for me). - Done

Tomorrow, we leave for Gemtree CP for 3 nights, for some more fossicking.