A.S.

Crikey it is cold .... make that freezing...in Alice Springs during the night - definitely a 2 doona night!

Alice Springs

I am tucked up in bed in my little home away from home.   I arrived in Alice Springs late this afternoon after a long drive from King's Canyon.  It is very busy and lucky to get a spot for Myrtle for the night.  It is going to be minus 2 tonight but they don't usually get a frost as no moisture in the air.
On my long drive I saw people on pushbikes! They would be pedaling for over 300 ks.   How tough would that be??   King's Canyon was nice and I did a walk however my fear of heights got the better of me and I didn't do the walk up the steep stairs and around the top of the cliff!  I am sure there will be more gorges etc that I can work on my fear!  
It is so nice to get comments as I feel like I have company on my journey.  It is easy - just select profile then name/url - You just put your name and don't fill in the URL bit.  Thank you for reading my blog!  Also tell me any news from home or where ever you are!  I will probably put some photos on tomorrow.
I watched TV for the first time tonight since I left.  I realised that I haven't been missing it at all.  I will pack it away again in it's box!

Farewell Uluru

Monday morning and I am packing up to head along the road to Kings Canyon.   The sun is shining into the van after a very cold morning.   There is usually a breeze in the mornings but warm in the sunshine.  I spent most of the day either viewing  Uluru from afar or just sitting quietly in places being with the ancient spirits around the rock.  The plants here are wonderful and so much bush tucker at the right season.  Native figs and plum trees. 
It is interesting talking to fellow travellers.  There is a couple from Tas who have brought their pushbikes and are riding out to the rock everyday.  Another couple from Switzerland (who now live in Australia) who have an old swiss army "truck" (1959)   converted into an offroad van.  They travelled overland from Europe years ago and now go across the deserts in it.
The campground here is excellent.  Busy but quiet.  Heaps of families.  I remember when my mum and dad took us  camping over Australia in 60s.   I am grateful for the those times and appreciate the effort that went into it with the old car and the big tent.  

close to the beautiful Uluru

Uluru

I enjoyed a walk around Uluru this morning.  I walked with a couple from WA.  We started off listening to cultural info on the rock and then continued around - it took a few hours (about 10 ks).  There were water holes around the bottom and I am going to go back tomorrow for some quiet contemplation.  I cooked up a dahl tonite on my little butane burner.  Also cooked some mushrooms and eggplant.  It was so yummy and probably good considering last night I had cheese and biscuits and chocolate for dinner.  It is such a great place I have decided to have an extra night here and will head off to Kings Canyon on Monday morning.

Sunset at the Rock

Today I went out to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and went for a walk through Walpa Gorge.  Amazing huge rocks!  Beautiful!  Then back to Uluru to watch the sun set on the rock.  I sat with a couple from WA who I met the night before.  So many people there to watch the sunset.  It has been warm in the sun today but it cools off at about 5.00 pm and very nippy now.   

Dinner

Myrtle

Myrtle's interior decor!

in a roadside rest area - Myrtle looks like she is on the moon