After watching the changing colours of Uluru as the sun set, we had ourselves a night out. Via courtesy bus we made our way to part of the resort that has 3 different restaurants attached to each other via a roof but no walls. The tables are long and you sit anywhere you choose. A local singer played some cover tunes. It was pleasant but we found that most people were already in groups so we didn't converse with others, which I think we were both ready for. But people watching was fun. Some were eating their pizza quite differently to what I'd ever seen before. And one thin lady ate 3 times more than I could even think about - good genes I guess!! (No blame Mum!) I was glad I had worn two coats as the outside gas heating did little to warm us.
The next morning we had a leisurely start as we only had 300kms or there abouts to cover before our next stop at Kings Canyon. Our wonderful Patrol pulled hard, but alas, with a head wind and a steady climb 80 - 90km was all she felt like doing!
About 1.30pm we pulled into Kings Station for a takeaway lunch. "What the hell," I'd thought, "we'll treat ourselves." At $14 for a basic hamburger and $6.50 for a bucket of chips we bought one of each as takeaway and pulled out onto the road, went 50 metres, pulled up under some gums, looked at the beautiful mountain range and dug deeper into the fridge. I made an extra sandwich, they'd priced as staring at $8.00, poured coffee from the thermos and we made do! It was much nicer than sitting amongst the very touristy camel rides, gift shop, 4 wheeler rides, helicopter rides etc all on the one 'cattle station'.
We booked into Kings Canyon Resort and then made our way down to the canyon itself. It was HOT and now it was 2.50pm. Sunset was due at 6.18pm and the rim walk around the canyon takes between 3-4 hours. Although I had this on my must do list I couldn't see much enjoyment when I would be worrying the whole time about beating the dark. Then I saw the opening stone stair case and the height of the canyon walls. My knees began wobbling at the thought and even though Kas and Lou had said it was a must do, I was really grateful I could blame the looming darkness as my excuse for not doing it. So, we opted for a guided walk to the creek. Certainly not as impressive but far more gentle and relaxed! Very informative - there are River Gums there and they adapt to dry weather by choosing which limbs to drop and they regrow bark over the wound!
By morning I was wishing we'd made it earlier into the canyon so we could have completed the rim walk, then I remembered, there's no reason this has to be my last trip to Central Australia - I'm going to get fitter and pop it on my bucket list! Poor William. That means it's on his too, because you wouldn't do it on your own!
I was up before sunrise to look at the changing colours of the mountain range. As I walked toward the viewing area I saw a dingo beautifully sillouetted against the morning sky as a friend of his let out a howl. Very special.
I've been told I have a short attention span and that became apparent as I waited for the sun to rise. I realised that in the whole time since I'd left home I hadn't actually just SAT and enjoyed my surroundings, so I did just that. Soon I was no longer looking at the sky but my camera was focused on the ground. There were at least 4 different yellow native flowers and a purple one too- the colours of Greta!! The purple and gold. Next thing I knew the sun had risen, the colours had changed, I'd missed my self imposed 'must be back to the caravan' time but I'd had a wow of a morning.
An early departure had been planned as Will was determined to give the Ernest Giles Rd a go. Must be the names I guess! So off we set on the 4WD recommended road with our beautiful old caravan. At 3a.m. I'd gone though the Catastrophe Scale of what could happen - break down - 4 others had used the road the day before, someone would rescue us, we had water, food, shelter, phone works in an emergency even when it says no reception, (we'd found out going to Uluru, another story for another time) life would go on!
So off we set by 8.30am. Twenty K's down the 100km gravel road we were doing 15kms an hour. 'No Rush' said Will. For those of you who've travelled with Will you know there is no such thing as going slowly!! "Would you like to have a look at the melons on the side of the road?" asked Will. "Sure," I replied. This was to be stop number one to check the condition of vehicle and van. Anyway, thankfully the road improved a bit (managed about 70kms an hour) after that, we made it to the Stuart Hwy turn and both sighed a huge relief. Will because we had made it, me because Will had breathed again, I know when he holds his breath things haven't gone quite as he planned but he's acting like it's okay to keep me calm.
No comments:
Post a Comment