Ayers Rock - Thursday 24

We both feel gutted about leaving and wish that we had more time here with the antipodean-branch of the Randall family.Cliff and Sandra picked us up for our trip to the airport and unfortunately they were not allowed through security to the airport lounge, as Sandra's torch had a couple of screwdriver tips in the end of it.The goodbyes were painful and shorter than we had planned.Lots of tears later and a flight over thousands of miles of brown barren earth, we arrived at Alice Springs, before we continued on our connecting flight to Ayers Rock (or Uluru, its original aboriginal name).The Ayers Rock resort consists of five hotels of ranging quality, all managed by the same company.Being a beautiful sunny day, we sat by the pool and enjoyed the warm sun, but not the ice cold pool.Just before sunset we walked to the lookout point to get our first look at Uluru sitting lonely in the outback about 20 kms from the resort.Went to the lively bar and sang along to the guitarist playing the usual well-known cover songs.

Friday 25

We walked along the circular track in the resort to one of the hotels to book our sunrise tour to the rock.The earth really is a beautiful reddish-brown colour, which is enhanced by the contrast of the green shrub and trees.We enjoyed spending time by the pool in the afternoon and having more chill-out time.Before dusk we caught the bus to the 'Sound of Silence' tour near the rock.On arrival we were handed champagne and canapés and spent time milling about and chatting to people while we waited for the sun to set.The diminishing sunlight then changed the hue of colour on the rock from rusty orange to pinkish red, a deeper red, then brown before it disappeared altogether in the night sky.We sat with a friendly group of people and enjoyed a laugh while we talked and dined under the stars. This was then followed by an astronomy lesson.Using a very high powered torch the astronomer was able to point out various star clusters and astronomical signs.We looked through some telescopes and adjusted one to see the moon a bit more clearly before being told that that particular telescope isn't meant to point to the moon and we could have damaged our eyes - der!An enjoyable and interesting evening.

Saturday 26

The alarm went off at really silly o'clock to get up for our sunrise tour.After the drive out in the dark we stopped at a viewing area to watch the sunrise by the rock and for it to show its reversal of spectacular colours from the night before.Stood in the freezing cold and took lots of photos as the rock came to life.In the distance we could make out the Olgas (Kata Tjuta. as its original Aboriginal name).We then drove closer to Kata Tjuta and walked up a boardwalk to the viewing platform of these dome-shaped rocks.The same reddish brown colour as Uluru, these were also thought to be one rock but erosion has certainly been more brutal in carving out the gorges between.Back on the coach to listen to the driver give us information about the Aboriginals, the history of the area and the plants and trees that are indigenous to these parts.As we reached Kata Tjuta we took a gorge walk which would have been so much more enjoyable if the freezing biting wind wasn't whipping up around us.Took in the scenery as quickly as we could and then jumped back on the coach to warm up!Today was the Australian Football League final between St Kilda and Geelong, so we went to the hotel's packed-out bar to watch.It was a great, passionate atmosphere and we chatted to the family next to us, who were St Kilda fans. We cheered along with them as the scores remained close for most of the game.That was until the final few minutes when Geelong scored the points to take them in to the lead and victory, much to the devastation of our new friends!

Pam Ayers Rock (to be read in a West Country accent)

Oh red rock you are so huge and red

Lazing like a pig who's just been fed

Your bulk rises above the desert floor

Yet down below you have two thirds more

Majestic and lonely on the dusty plain

Where for millions of years no one came

Your chameleon colours of brown, ochre and red

Enhanced by the sun as she lays down her head

Aboriginal folklore tell of spirits that rise

As the winds howl you can hear their cries

A sacred site of ancient rites?

Where ancestors held many revered nights?

Original Aussies tell of such tales

Is this real folklore or too many ales?

The tourists they take photos until they depart

A mint is then made selling Aboriginal 'art'

Cloaked in an air of true mystery?

Or have guides have made up this rock's history?

Finding the truth still remains to be

But what is it that we really do see?

You are a big fat rock sitting in the sun

Looking like a sunburned upturned bum

Once known as Ayers, but now Uluru

For all we know you could be dinosaur poo

Note: Pam Uluru (nee Ayers) was a poet that came to fame in the UK in the 1970's, having won TV's Opportunity Knocks. Originating from the south west of England, Pam was noted for her yokel accent, very short fringe, stupid grin and un-funny poems.