Alice Springs (population 28000+) and the red centre - we have left the crocs behind and now all the warnings are about deadly snakes. Bring back the crocs as never did like a snake in the grass!

The journey was 750 miles of bushland, we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn for the second time and 12 hours of driving (poor Ray). We have passed through Mataranka, Larrimah, Daly Waters, Elliott, Renner Springs, Tennant Creek, Wycliffe Well (UFO territory) Ti Tree and Aileron. Inhabited from 20 to a few thousand people. Some of the places originally housed the Overland Telegraph Repeater Stations and later developed to serve WWII troops, mining and cattle industries. They are now trying to pull in the tourist trade.

We have passed numerous WWII historical sites, most of them just an airstrip or a tin shack but we tend to forget how active Australia was in the wars.

We had a good laugh in Larrimar with Fran who serves wonderful home made Devonshire cream teas amongst other things. What a character she was and does a roaring trade operating out of a wood and tin shack in the outback. She must have taken well over $100 in the short time we were there. We were recommended to stop there by several people and she is in all the guide books. Fran tells us she is listed in 'Lonely Planet' - perhaps someone could look that one up. Anyway we had delicious buttermilk scones with mango puree and cream and sausage rolls made with camel meat. Mind you they gave us indigestion so we had the right 'ump ha ha!!

The Devils Marbles - yet another extraordinary rock formation. Spherical granite boulders resting precariously on each other - how do they stay up there? The area is a sacred Aboriginal site but as with all these weird rocks there is something tranquil about them.

We are spending the day in Alice Springs town today and have been to the Royal Flying Doctor station. Really interesting and what service they offer. Think someone in the outback here can have a doctor flown out and be in hospital before we could even get an appointment at home.

Onto Ulura (Ayers Rock) and King's Canyon tomorrow.

5700 miles to date.

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Jen and Ray