Gem Tree Monday, 25th April to Wednesday, 27th April.

An early start to Anzac Day…up at 5.15am to attended the Dawn Service in Alice Springs.A very small service compared to that of Martin Place, but quite emotional nevertheless.John Williamson sang the National Anthem which of course made me cry.The boys were keen to know about the service and what it all meant.We explained about the battle in Gallipoli (nearly 100 years ago).A place in Turkey, not too far from where we lived for three months in 2009.

About 140km North East of Alice Springs is a little place called Gem Tree.We had lots of very dirty fun fossicking for garnets (our clothes will never look the same).We all had "the fever" as Roy likes to call it.We spent the day digging away, sieving, rinsing and holding every questionable rock up to the sun in hope that it would glow red…confirmation of a "garnet" discovery.After a couple hours of hard hot work Archie looked up, wiped his brow, lent on his pick and at the top of his voice said "I'm sweating like a pig"…it had everyone in stitches.Something I can thank Roy for teaching him.Max worked hard all day and was rewarded with some good size garnets.Large enough for a ring or set of earings.

The boys were thrilled we could have our own fire and we enjoyed two nights of delicious camp oven dinners.On the second night Max invited "his friends" over for roasted marshmallows (A Canadian couple - Ray and Terrie, both in their 70's).

Later that night we had a bat in our camper (about the size of the palm of my hand).I thought it was a cricket trying to get in…but then something flapped past my ear…I let out a little scream which immediately woke Roy.Thankfully Roy caught it in a singlet and threw it outside.Needless to say, I was restless for the remainder of the night.Neither of the boys stirred…but intrigued when we told them the story the next morning.