Day Seventy Two - September 16th, 2013

Alice Springs

We drove out to the West MacDonnells after a quick game of cricket with the fun family we have met and their three young children. We stopped first at the Standley Chasm, our furthest point of the day. It is privately owned and run, with a gift shop and kiosk, and unfortunately we had to pay for entry, unlike the national park which owns the rest of the land, where it is free. We paid the $20 for the two of us, and set off towards the chasm. The great red walls coming out of the ground were certainly striking, and it was cool in the shade. The temperature has dropped substantially since yesterday, which is a relief! We pressed on to Simpson Gap, which would be filled with water in the right season, but was just a sandy river bed except for the small lagoon between the rocks. We looked hard for the little rock wallabies, but couldn't spot any.

We headed back to Alice and stopped at the supermarket and found a second hand bookstore. We both came out with two books and I traded and old one in. We thought the owner was a bit prickly at first, but she soon warmed to us and became friendly and chatty.

I spent the rest of the day packing and getting ready for my trip back to the UK tomorrow. It's all a bit rushed and strained, so didn't feel like doing much. Off to bed now, last night in the tent for a while.