17th June – Wednesday
Another cold night and beautiful, clear morning. The stars last night were just incredible – it is so dark that one feels the stars are so much closer, plus there are many, many more. As we look out our front window over the George Gill Ranges, there is really nothing between us and the Indian Ocean or Arafura Sea. This is the most extraordinary place!
Les decided this morning that Cat required another day of rest after climbing Ayers Rock before tackling the rim walk around Kings Canyon, which involves a large number of steps to reach the rim. Of course, the decision had nothing to do with his aching and stiff legs!!!
Therefore, the morning was spent catching up on laundry, rest, reading, talking to neighbours and checking out the local eateries and general store. We very promptly decided to give the Outback BBQ a miss ($35+ for a main course!) and were pleasantly surprised with the range of stock at the store. Everything from petrol jerry cans to ice cream, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and grocery items. Naturally, they were a LITTLE more expensive than one would expect to pay in a supermarket. Magnum ice creams were a mere $5.30 each.
After lunch we set out for the short 2.6 km walk to Kathleen Springs. This was a very easy walk along a creek bed in a gully which has been used for thousands of years by the Aborigines to trap animals and over a hundred years by white men to corral cattle. The old stock yards and water tank are still evident. At the end of the gully was the most fantastic water hole, with staggering reflections. This waterhole, according to Aboriginal legend, is the home of the Rainbow Serpent. Cat was a little worried about serpents and snakes and only ventured out of his backpack to pretend to be a jackaroo and for a quick photo opportunity at the waterhole.
We have finally seen a dingo – in the caravan park. It was very mangy and had trouble walking; the rangers really should capture and euthanise the poor thing. While we were watching the sunset, another dingo came into the park, wandering among the caravans. The cook had to stay outside in the cold while barbecuing the sausages, just in case! Cat flatly refused to leave the caravan.
The flies bred overnight!
Another cold night and beautiful, clear morning. The stars last night were just incredible – it is so dark that one feels the stars are so much closer, plus there are many, many more. As we look out our front window over the George Gill Ranges, there is really nothing between us and the Indian Ocean or Arafura Sea. This is the most extraordinary place!
Les decided this morning that Cat required another day of rest after climbing Ayers Rock before tackling the rim walk around Kings Canyon, which involves a large number of steps to reach the rim. Of course, the decision had nothing to do with his aching and stiff legs!!!
Therefore, the morning was spent catching up on laundry, rest, reading, talking to neighbours and checking out the local eateries and general store. We very promptly decided to give the Outback BBQ a miss ($35+ for a main course!) and were pleasantly surprised with the range of stock at the store. Everything from petrol jerry cans to ice cream, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and grocery items. Naturally, they were a LITTLE more expensive than one would expect to pay in a supermarket. Magnum ice creams were a mere $5.30 each.
After lunch we set out for the short 2.6 km walk to Kathleen Springs. This was a very easy walk along a creek bed in a gully which has been used for thousands of years by the Aborigines to trap animals and over a hundred years by white men to corral cattle. The old stock yards and water tank are still evident. At the end of the gully was the most fantastic water hole, with staggering reflections. This waterhole, according to Aboriginal legend, is the home of the Rainbow Serpent. Cat was a little worried about serpents and snakes and only ventured out of his backpack to pretend to be a jackaroo and for a quick photo opportunity at the waterhole.
We have finally seen a dingo – in the caravan park. It was very mangy and had trouble walking; the rangers really should capture and euthanise the poor thing. While we were watching the sunset, another dingo came into the park, wandering among the caravans. The cook had to stay outside in the cold while barbecuing the sausages, just in case! Cat flatly refused to leave the caravan.
The flies bred overnight!
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