We made it!

We did it, we really did it. In our $2500 caravan and our $2000 car we pulled up at Alice Springs yesterday at 2pm. When I suggested we stop and take a photo at the entrance to the town Will didn't hesitate, we both felt a combination of immense relief and pride. Somehow we'd pulled it off!  3500 kms with only one repaired tyre, a top up of half a litre of oil, no extra water for the engine but a van needing a new water tank for the sink thanks to an unforgettable dirt road. Not bad considering all we'd asked of our old Patrol. At our lunch stop an hour before Will had looked at me and said, "We're nearly there, Kate, we're nearly there.'  I think both of us had pretended total belief in our crazy get there cheap idea but we'd silently held fears for just how difficult it might be.

At 2pm the most nerve racking moment of the trip occurred, had I filled out all the paper work correctly, were they really expecting us at the Transport Hall of Fame? When the lovely lady at the desk said "Hi I'm Di and I'm a volunteer too," the nerves started to settle. They settled even more when a gentleman popped his head out of the office and said "Me too,  they call me Poppa Smurf". Yes, it felt like it was going to be okay. But then, there was Cheryl. Cheryl and Liz run the place.
"Hmm, don't remember that name" she said as she looked me up and down. The stomach dropped, Di gave me an encouraging smile.  "And you, what's your name?" Cheryl asked Will.  When he said his surname she looked hard at him and said "Yes, that rings a bell. Meet me at 4pm and I'll show you where to park your van."  Phew!
Di said "You can look around here for a while,".
"Thanks but we'll just pop into town and pick up a few supplies," I said.
"No, no," said Will, "we'll do that later. Thanks Di, we'd love to look around."
Well the happy contented whistling started then and continued for the next 2 hours as we 'filled in time.'

From there we haven't looked back. Last night we were quickly welcomed around the camp fire and we popped into the volunteers meeting this morning. Before I could say "Hello," I was folding newsletters ready to be posted out. Will had the morning off and set up the annex. I joined him about 10.30 am and we did our shopping, checked out radiator repair people and purchased shorts for him. He's already talking about a swim on Monday, I couldn't coax him into the pool when we holidayed in Cairns, so yes, it really is warm up here!

Tomorrow and Sunday are days off, sounds like we will be pretty full on after that. At the moment there are 50 volunteers here, that number is meant to grow to 150.  Guest numbers for the 5 day event is expected to reach 10,000, with 250 new inductees for the Hall of Fame.  I can't imagine how this place will cope with those sorts of numbers, but it sure will be an experience!  Until then we will enjoy our camp under the gum trees with gentle afternoon shade, our one female and our one male toilet and shower and the comeraderi around the camp fire.