The Alice

Alice Springs
Although we passed through Alice before this time was a little different. Initially we decided to just get some groceries and keep going but once again the weather was getting hotter and we got into Alice about 4:30 pm, so to drive on was not a great idea. We booked into the G' Day Mate caravan Park. We had a great bay and by the time we had set up and put the awning out we felt really relaxed and at home and decided to stay another day.  So next day after stocking up and seeing a couple of places we thought why not stay another night and then as the Dockers were playing on the weekend of course we had to watch the game to show our support. Interestingly enough there was no talk of footy or shouts in the park when either team got a goal so I think it was just us. YAH the Dockers. Might have to get down to Melbourne to get tickets for the game if they win the semi. Anyway we spent four days and nights in Alice and although didn't run around sightseeing too much had a lovely break and thoroughly enjoyed being there. 
We did however see a couple of things and here are a few pics. The view from Anzac Hill is amazing. It is one of those classic shots from past films and instantly recognizable. 

John and I are both quite fascinated with the Ghan train and went to the Old Ghan Museum just out of town. We were able to walk through one of the old trains into the different carriages which included the dining carriage and the kitchen where the foods were prepared. The bar and fancy dining area reflected the differences in the classes. This has not changed much as when we did the sit up on the Indian Pacific train a few years ago it was very similar. A fancy restaurant for the richies and a plain old dining area for the schmucks in the lower class. 

The Museum is maintained by volunteers and situated in a beautiful park. I had always wondered where the name came from for the Ghan and now I know it was named after the Afghan camel team managers who used to carry goods to the outback prior to trucks cars or trains. A fitting name for sure.
It's a shame to leave the Alice but as Queensland is our main destination it was time to pack up and make a move. Next it's on to the spooky Alien landing territory of Wycliffe. See you there
Talkies soon
Xx Sonia n John

Sturt Peas and crossing into the Northern Territory

You knew it had to happen at some stage. This short post has pictures of Sturt Peas. I think I have been very good about not taking snaps of all of the beautiful wildflowers but who can resist the Sturt Pea?

We crossed the border and parked the bus in Northern Territory and the car in South Australia. Talkies soon X Son n John

Marla

There's a small town on the way to Alice called Marla. If you drove straight through you would think its just a roadhouses but as it was getting hot we decided to stay at the little caravan park at the back. It was like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. Green grass, shade and even a swimming pool. Nothing flash but cool and inviting. There we met Trevor and Carol who had come through Queensland and gave us lots of hints about good places to stay and different attractions to see. Marla is just south of the NT border and is a small town with just a few houses as well as a police station and post office.

One thing we noticed since leaving CP (and all the way to Alice), is the amount of burnt out car wrecks on the side of the road. It seemed that there were wrecks everyn10-20 Kms or so. Haven't come accross this before.

Talkies soon X Son n John

Streaky bay to Coober Pedy

Seems to take a bit to get back to the blog some days, so sorry it's been awhile. Welcome to my friend Tracey to the blog. It's nice to have another reader :) We had to leave a very lovely Streaky Bay and head on to reach Coober Pedy. After all I was going to make my fortune with finding opals. We went through Port Augusta but decided to freecamp the other side about 60 ks or so. This was only after we stopped at Pt Augusta to buy yet another inverter having accidentally fried it (for the second time) Oh we'll this has led to the solution and now it won't happen again. Fingers crossed. So at least we still have our TV for the evenings when free camping although by the time you set up and cook dinner each night we are just about asleep on our feet. We have met some very nice people and before I forget any names I want to mention - Sue and Cliff, Mandy and Bruce, Greg, Sue and Ian, Janine and John, Sylvia and John. Thanks for great company and campfires so far. At one stage there were three Johns together. Before getting to Coober Pedy we free camped about 90 ks south of and watched the sun set on a very vast horizon as far as the eye can see. I tried very hard to find my riches in opals but not to be and so look forward to sapphires and emeralds in Queensland. Instead I bought myself some opal earrings (very inexpensive but quite pretty). We have been to C P before so had seen just a couple of things but not the Breakaways which are spectacular on their own. Some movies have been made here ie Mad Max, The Black, Priscilla Queen of the Desert to name a few. We passed down through the Oodnadatta Track to get to the Breakaways and also checked out the Dog Fence which basically keeps the dingos north of farmland and stock.

I can't tell you how bad the flies were in the bush but have a photo that shows some only after we had tried to shoo them away and used the aero guard.

And of course we visited the local cemetery to look at history. There were some rather unusual headstones and I'm sure they won't mind me showing you the most interesting couple taken with respect.

You can't walk around any of the mining areas even though it looks safe. There are a million shafts in the ground and they advise you never to walk at night and never walk backwards especially whilst taking photos.

The houses that are "scooped" out of the underground are wonderful. They are cool and you don't need to paint at all. Anytime you want to add another room you just scoop out another one.

We also visited the Old Timers Mine which is a wonderful display of the mining and the town over the years. Much like a museum as well as an Opal mine. We also took a few pics of around town to show you.

After 2 lovely days in CP it was time to hitch up and move on to our next destination. See you there Talkies soon X Son N John AKA mum n dad, nana n grandad.