A day in Alice

 The morning starts with a sleep-in until the screeching galahs arrive.  I thought it amazing that so many were here until I noticed the number of bird feeders outside the little cafe.  It reminded me of a much loved sister-in-law!
The mornings have been still and clear.  Cold but not unbearable and nothing worse than home, that's for sure.  The sky is lit with sunrise well before the sun peaks over the horizon.  The vegetation is totally different to other places I've been, as is the town itself.  I was worried whether I would like this 'outback' town, but once we began to understand it we have enjoyed/accepted all we've seen so far.
We know to plan a shopping trip for after 2pm if alcohol is on the list, as none of the take away shops serve alcohol prior to that time.  Sunday's and public holidays the supermarket bottle shops don't operate either.  We are now used to greeting the security man and the police officer who stand guard at the supermarket alcohol sections - it was intimidating on day one but  you get used to it. Unlike Coober Pedy we don't have to hand over our license and you aren't limited to one bottle per person. You can't buy a cask of wine as it is against regulations and there are many signs around town indicating that places are alcohol free zones.  You also get used to public toilets, either have your 50c donation ready, be willing to pay a $10 deposit for a key or shop near Woolworths where there is a free toilet.  These regulations seems harsh to a naive new comer but having heard unhappy stories of visitors years ago to this area I think maybe the regulations are paying off.  I feel safe walking the streets and apart from one gentleman who stopped me in the supermarket asking me to buy his paintings we've felt comfortable as we go about our business. 
There are signs around Alice I've never seen before. 'No school, no sale.' Obviously truancy is a major problem but at least it appears the community are working together to tackle the issue.
We know the day is drawing to a close when our trees fill with these beautiful green parrots.  They come in regularly at Happy Hour too!  They stay awhile eating the gumnuts then head off making way for another two or three varieties of birds before they too head off as the sunsets and the afternoon breeze drops, leaving us with a pleasant evening to enjoy great company.