Tues 26/08/14 Couldn't resist an early 'quick' dip in the steaming waters of Rainbow Springs before leaving this morning - an hour and half later - meant a late brekky, late pack-up and late departure, so decided to just drive and see how far we'd get. Visited the Daly Waters Historical Airstrip then lunched at the Daly Waters Pub, which is popular on the tourist trail. Back in the day the airstrip was used by QANTAS (Queensland and Northern Territory Air Services) firstly for domestic mail drops, but then became the first international airport / stop for overseas mail and eventually passengers also. It was taken over by the armed forces during the war to house and service supply planes and Hudson Bombers etc; is still used as a domestic airstrip today. The pub is quite a novelty, as visitors can leave something to be stapled to the walls, roof, bar etc for the price of a gold coin donation to the RFDS. Thus the place is covered in everything you can imagine - signed money, expired licences, bras, jocks, hats, clothing of all manners, thongs, sporting equipment etc etc. Brodie had a cap with a damaged brim, so we all signed and dated that and found it a spot on the wall on took a pic for posterity - so we can remember where it is next time we visit here! Drove as far as Renner Springs Roadhouse and spent the night - but only just - Grumpy 'Brian', the c/van park manager, nearly had Michael marshalling us back into the car and moving on. Cranky old leatherhead bloke with a walking stick and a sharp tongue. Also we were advised to be wary of the white goose 'who hates women and children and will attack'. MB not happy; the rest of us found it slightly amusing. Picnic rug dinner with sizzle steaks on the menu, then nice hot showers and bed. Another long day of driving tomorrow.

Wed 27/08/14 On the road by 8.30am. 750kms to Alice Springs ahead of us. Made photo stops at John MacDouall Stuart memorial at Attack Creek and John Flynn memorial at Three Ways Roadhouse. Tennant Creek was a larger town than we expected, kinda like Tocumwal only a bit bigger. Got fuel and food at a big service centre and just passed through. Another photo stop & walk at the Devil's Marbles - large granite boulders formed many millions of years ago by magma pushing through the earths crust into sandstone. As the sandstone has eroded the granite boulders have been left behind, but they too are now weathering via a process called 'onion peeling'. Some seem balanced quite precariously atop others, which made for some fun snaps and a good chance to stretch our legs. Also spotted an old, weary looking dingo having a lay down in the middle of the info bay carpark, he didn't seem at all fussed by the coming & going tourists. Next we visited Wycliffe Well - promoted as being the 'UFO Capital of Australia' - turned out to be a roadhouse with some aliens painted on it, a plywood spaceship with greenmen statues out front, UFO merchandise inside and one small notice board with old clippings from local newspapers where locals claimed to have seen UFO's. Disappointing - kids more interested in the 'intoxicated locals' living under the nearby bridge! Kazza's turn to drive - have to nag to get a go at it; MB not a very good passenger. Onwards to Ti-Tree Roadhouse, more fuel and ice-creams to give the crew a sugar hit and keep them going. Another photo stop at Aileron - 15mt tall sculptures of aboriginal man and woman, child & perente; huge and very lifelike. Checked out the local indigenous art gallery and c/van park; both very nice, clean and organised. However decided to go all the way to Alice, arriving around 5.30pm. Very picturesque driving in with the sun downing on the MacDonnell Ranges that encircle the township. What we do notice on getting out the car ... it's cold! We are officially in the desert.