Home again

Back home after a month away. The dog trials went well, not many passes but the general performance was good. Each trial needs a little bit of luck, but it just did not happen for many of the competitors. Pic shows us setting up an agility course at the Alice Springs club grounds.
We were going to stay an extra day or so at Melrose to see the Mt Remarkable National Park, but we are having some paving done and the pavers were about to be deliverered, the ground needed some preparation, there were many phone messages to handle, and so we came home.
Next trip is only a couple of days in Sydney in October.

Alice again

A day of looking at gorges, water holes and hills at Alice Springs. We went to Glenn Helen then looked in at all the tourist stops on the way back until we ran out of time. The pic shows us at Glen Helen, 130 k west of Alice Springs, but full of bird life. We took the rest of the day to get back. Ormeston Gorge soaked up a lot of time as we saw some Black Footed Rock Wallabies and animals always catch our attention.
Today is a rest day, and also getting some minor warranty repairs on the Jayco.
Kathy starts judging tonight and I start tomorrow morning, so we will have to read up on the rules.

Alice Springs

Arrived in Alice Springs, a little bit early, and staying with Karren, in a house. The Jayco is in the carport getting a bit of a break from the weather. After leaving Coober Pedy we got to Cadney Station and went to the Painted Desert area. Miles of dirt roads but well worth the trip, although I think the Breakaways were better. Next stop was at Stuarts Well, home of Dinkey the singing Dingo who howls when the piano is played. He does it for donations and has raised over$14000 for the Flying Doctor service. We went to the Rainbow Valley, about 30 k on the worst corrugated road I have seen in a long while. The pic shows Rainbow Valley at sunset.
Today we head for Glenn Helen then tomorrow the trials start and we have to earn our keep.

Coober Pedy

The Breakaways are one of the most spectacular sights I have ever seen. Its also called The Painted Desert for obvious reasons. The trip also included a look at the Dog Fence that runs from Surfers in Queensland to the Bight near WA. The track to the Breakaways runs along side the Dog Fence for about 15k.
Sunday in Coober Pedy is an experience not to be missed. We went for fuel at 9:30am, the pump started then cut out after 6 litres and I could not find anyone to reset the pump. Someone was there to start the pump, but they had disappeared. Kathy said she heard a loud noise, and as no one responded to my calls, we began to get concerned that something had happened to the attendant. I went all through the service station, the stores, the workshop and every room or alcove I could find. I was beginning to think the guy had been abducted by aliens when suddenly he appeared from behind an office, fixed the pump and let me off for the first 6 litres. God knows what he was doing in that tiny little space behind the office!
We then went to the Information bay, it was shut. We went round to an Opal display with the Big Miner outside, a sign said it was open and to ring the bell. There was a hole in the wall where the bell push used to be! At the Big Winch, the sign said open, (and Free Admission to a shop) but was locked up.
Fortunately the Old Timer Mine was operational and we had a pleasant afternoon in there.
Moving on tomorrow, not sure where yet.