As predicted there were no cancellations, so our well oiled gear transfer team dragged themselves reluctantly away from the novelty of watching TV to load up and setup a powered site for the night. The ensuite tent made it’s first appearance as a fridge tent and our little 18yo 3 man tent from our European backpacking days was dusted off as the kids’ house for the night. Lil and I visited the trailer at the mechanics and met the very colourful Craig and Joe...

Woke up to the sad news that Aunty Beth had passed away yesterday. She was having an afternoon nap. I’m probably more relieved for her than anything, just shy of 102 meant her quality of life had dwindled a while back. It certainly bought losing Dave back, and I spent the day under a fog. Didn’t help we had to move two carloads of gear to another cabin on top of more disappointing news that the parts were misplaced by TNT and wouldn’t arrive now till Monday...

An outing to Wallace Rockhole today, a small, dry community about 120km SW of Alice. The primary school has 20 kids and the high school kids board in Alice. Ken he owner of the campground and shop arranged a guided walking tour for us to the rockhole, with Cathy as our local guide. Was just us and we enjoyed getting some really specific info about the trees, plants and animals around the area. There were some impressive rock carvings preserved near the rockhole w...

After a day licking our wounds we thought we’d better have a look around Alice, had lunch at Uncles Tavern and headed to the reptile park for the afternoon. On a pretty chilly grey day (hey it was still 19 deg!) was good to be inside. We learnt heaps about Australian lizards and snakes, got to handle Nora the very fat blue tongue who had bitten off her own tail and Susie the huge Olive python who still has a lot of growing to do- quite large enough for this li...

Day 16 An early start for Matt and Tommy who completely emptied the car out and left to find trailer hopefully not in flames and intact! Lil, Cam,Stu and I guiltily enjoyed a breakfast at the lodge- it has the strangest European alpine decor in middle of outback yet it felt just right! If you just changed the bright orangey red colour of the mountains just across the river from the lodge to dark rocky outcrops with patches of snow, would be none the wiser! We sp...