Started off towards Kings Canyon. After a few hours driving we decided to check out the rest area in Salt Creek, last free camp before K.C, to see if it was worth staying a night or continuing on. As we drove in Luuk recognised at least 3 caravan's/cars of people we had met over the past few months so our decision was made. We pulled in and caught up with all our Grey Nomad friends. The kids found a sandy hill which had been previously explored and built upon by children and there were castles and moats and small little towns which the kids spent hours playing with before deciding burying each other in the red sand was much more fun. RELAX!!! A bit of sand never hurt anyone, but having our bed as our lounge room and finding it full of the sand every night just when we are exhausted and ready to snuggle in ain't fun but crunchy. At least we always wake up well exfoliated. We joined one of our friend's camp fires and shared our marshmallows whilst Luuk enjoyed some well decantered port in the evening. Not sure that was such a fair exchange. Great night and on in the morning to K.C.

Left after bread made and Sam had finished his schoolwork. Arrived at Kings Canyon ( Watarrka National Park) nice and early to set up for a few days. What a great few days, despite diesel being 2.30/litre and papa making a big mistake when he returned home from the supermarket with a packet of biscuits for $10. Not that I'm out of control frugal but $10 for a packet of biscuits that last, in our family, one coffee and cordial session. I made sure I thoroughly enjoyed the few I got and just went red in the face when Ashely left a trail of biscuits with the icing sucked out of the middle. Big breaths and at the end of the day it is only $10 and I haven't started to wash my glad wrap although I am considering it. I'm very proud of the genes I inherited however, as it means we can do this trip.

Great things happen in great places. Thursday night we decided to go to the bush dance/ BBQ. We ate before we went but decided a cider would be nice. $8.00 for a half pint but well enjoyed and all worth it when the prizes started to roll. Great duo called the Roadies were on stage and well worth a visit. Kids had a ball, being called onto stage to play accompanying instruments such as the drums and hand clappers and I think the largophone ( made from a piece of wood and screwed on bottle tops). They danced as well and even sang twinkle, twinkle to an audience of 100 before departing left stage. They won lollipops galore and other small toys. Sam was also asked to play didgeridoo, but unbeknownst to the audience had his ear whispered into to blow his checks in and out pretending to play, however it was really a recording. He did this so well I even had to look twice. Good on ya mate!! The kids had a ball and better do a quick mention of the star parents who also went onto stage and sang a tune or two. Luuk won a free cider, making it even more worthwhile and me, I won what I've always wanted, a fairy wand. I'm a little disappointed however as it doesn't seem to work and I decided to trade with Ashley for a lollipop instead. It seems to work for her. Mmmmm! Strange! Great night and they are on every night except Friday so if travelling through don't miss it.

We had asked around about the Rim Walk at K.C as it was definitely the most popular but it had been recommended, by many, not to do it with the kids as it is very close to the edges of the cliff and is very long for kids (a good 6-7 km and 3.5 hours return). We decided therefore to go in and do the shorter, safer walk to the gorge, but when we got there and everyone was going up the hill to the rim it not only got the better of us but the kids as well. The enticement of climbing those big rocks and the height of the cliffs was too much. We started by saying we would go to the first landing and then back down, then we said O.K the second landing and so on. Little Ashley (3) had thongs on and a fairy costume, we had little to no water and some unripe bananas (YUK!) in the backpack. I said we were way to unprepared to go further. The kids said, ohh! Mum! Just the next little bit. To cut this long story short, you all guessed it we DID IT!!!!!. I was so happy as the kids did not even winge once and it was AWESOME. Great walk and so exhilarating, especially seeing the Garden of Eden in the middle which was a small oasis. Amazing what a three year old princess fairy can achieve in thongs. Lucky it is cold enough that those venomous snakes are hibernating, or at least I hoped so. But, try to find a pair of hiking shoes for kids or even summer shoes in this part of the world. Go figure!! We'll have to wait to Darwin as they just aren't available.

Great time yet again and off to the Mereenie loop road to the West Macdonnell Ranges which I hear are spectacular. Will we survive the unsealed road post rain ???