Took the van for its service early this morning. The mechanic was really funny about it this morning and said I'd not booked it in. After talking to him I found out he had book ed it in for the previous Tuesday. He fitted us in and we walked into town. Our first stop was at ANZAC hill. A memorial for WW1 and 2. It looked out over the whole town and towards the MacDonald ranges. Then went on the Internet and emailed, blogged and other things. About 10:30 the guy rang and said the van was ready, so we picked it up and did some shopping, then drove to Stanley chasm. A rock formation the locals told us not to miss. It was a nice walk along a try riverbed to the chasm. We took some pictures, did some climbing over some of the rocks in the chasm, then coz it was hot I sprayed Hannah with water so it looked like she had wet herself and then she took the water and emptied it on me. No one could see the water on Hannah's white shorts but the no dark red wee looking patch on my shorts, everyone could see. Its all fun and games today.
After the chasm we were off, we drove north towards Katherine and Darwin, only about 800 miles.
We got about 200km to a road house and campsite when the van started playing up. Its too far to turn back, the van was over rev'ing and when we turned the engine off, it stayed running for about 3-4 seconds. So we decided not to drive any further. We booked in to the campsite, a little disheartened and worried about he van. Rang Dad "the mechanic on the phone" to pick his brains. What he said put our minds at rest, so off north tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!
Sunday 28 October 2007
Friday 26 October 2007
Back to Alice Springs, Monday 3rd September 2007
Hannah watched the sun rise over Kings Canyon from our bed in the camper as I was in the shower. We are driving back to Alice today as the camper is having a service tomorrow. It took a while to get back, but on our way back we saw 8 wild horses crossing the dessert roads, 7 camels and a dingo. We went back to the fridge repair people and told them about the fridge, they didn't do anything, so we decided not to waste any more money on it. But we'll buy the fridge somewhere else. We don't want to give them any more of our money either.
We went back to the campsite we were at before and relaxed from the day of driving. We drove about 600km again today.
We went back to the campsite we were at before and relaxed from the day of driving. We drove about 600km again today.
Kings Canyon, 2nd September 2007
We watched the sun rising over Uluru again this morning, but today we're very stiff and our bodies are sore from the walk yesterday. We sat there with our tea in hand and planned what we were going to do. After deciding to drive on to another local natural attraction, Kings Canyon, just north, about 300km, we packed up and set off.
We got to Kings Canyon mid morning and booked into our campsite. After lunch with stiff legs we decided to do the 6km up hill and across cliff edges walk of Kings Canyon. The 1st part of the walk as up a steep, nearly vertical staircase, got so video footage and we had to stop every so often to rest as the temperature was rising again. We we're carrying about 1.5 litres of water and started drinking after about 2minutes of walking. We walked through amazing rock features and looked over cliff edges that fell away to the ground about 300 meters below. It got to about 34'C and with no clouds in the sky it was real hot. We found some shade in a valley called the valley of Eden. There were not plants or trees on the cliffs but in the valley the temperature lowered and there was water in the bottom for loads of plants and trees to grow. Near the end of the walk about 1km from the end was the best views of the whole walk. It was from the highest point and looked down over the valley below.
Back at the campsite we treated ourselves to a nice cold drink and an ice cream.We walked to the lookout point of the campsite, to watch the sun set over Kings Canyon. We decided to go back to our camper and found we had a better view from there so we just sat in our chairs outside our camper and chatted to the neighbours watching another amazing sunset.
We got to Kings Canyon mid morning and booked into our campsite. After lunch with stiff legs we decided to do the 6km up hill and across cliff edges walk of Kings Canyon. The 1st part of the walk as up a steep, nearly vertical staircase, got so video footage and we had to stop every so often to rest as the temperature was rising again. We we're carrying about 1.5 litres of water and started drinking after about 2minutes of walking. We walked through amazing rock features and looked over cliff edges that fell away to the ground about 300 meters below. It got to about 34'C and with no clouds in the sky it was real hot. We found some shade in a valley called the valley of Eden. There were not plants or trees on the cliffs but in the valley the temperature lowered and there was water in the bottom for loads of plants and trees to grow. Near the end of the walk about 1km from the end was the best views of the whole walk. It was from the highest point and looked down over the valley below.
Back at the campsite we treated ourselves to a nice cold drink and an ice cream.We walked to the lookout point of the campsite, to watch the sun set over Kings Canyon. We decided to go back to our camper and found we had a better view from there so we just sat in our chairs outside our camper and chatted to the neighbours watching another amazing sunset.
Walked around Uluru, 1st September 2007
We woke up at 05:30 this morning, its still dark. We wanted to see the sun rise over Uluru. We had arranged to meet Sophie in the car park and drive over together. It was dark, no street lights and we only had a small torch and an idea of were Sophie was sleeping. We drove around looking for her, for about 30minutes and we had probably woken up lots of campers, as we drove around, shinning our torch at them. We were just about to leave without her, when we saw her walking around with her sleeping bag and pillow. She jumped into the van and told us she had slept outside the campsite on a sandy area which was the lookout. She could only find 1 flip flop and we told her that's there are lots of Dingo's around and we have heard stories from other campers that Dingos have stolen there footwear before. So of we went to Uluru, there were lots of people already there from coach trips, but we found a nice place and made breakfast and had a cup of tea watching the sun rise and the shadows of Uluru change to the yellows and orange colours that we all know and have seen. It was really peaceful and nice just to seat there and watch. The coach tripper's left and we were then nearly on our own. After a while we went to the visitors centre and found a free talk from a range starting a 10am so we joined him.It was a interpretation walk of about 3-5km, he explained all about the way the Anangu (aboriginal) people have used in for celebrations, events and even just living around it. In respect for the Anangu people we had decided not to climb Uluru, but were going to walk around the base, 10km (about 6 miles). It was starting to get hot so we took some water and started walking around. It got to about 30'C and the flies were everywhere. I counted the flies on Hannah's back and there must have been around 50 on her upper back and shoulders. We enjoyed the walk and the different views of Uluru and by the time we had finished the walk we really, really hated the flies. Going to buy a fly head net from the net shop we see them.
It was getting closer to when Sophie's bus was leaving, to take her back to Alice Springs, so we decided to go back to the campsite, shower and chilled out a little after our walk. We swapped emails and said our good byes to Sophie and then Hannah and I drove back to Uluru for this evening sun set, just the two of us and a beer. After it had got dark we drove back the campsite and had dinner and watched lots of wild rabbits running around the camp grounds, just playing and eating what ever food they found.
It was getting closer to when Sophie's bus was leaving, to take her back to Alice Springs, so we decided to go back to the campsite, shower and chilled out a little after our walk. We swapped emails and said our good byes to Sophie and then Hannah and I drove back to Uluru for this evening sun set, just the two of us and a beer. After it had got dark we drove back the campsite and had dinner and watched lots of wild rabbits running around the camp grounds, just playing and eating what ever food they found.
Monday 1 October 2007
The Olgas and sunset over Uluru 31st August 2007
Started early and got stuck at the railway line into town. A massive train was just sat on the road. So great start we were late to pick up Sophie! Picked Sophie up and we were on our way at 7:30am. On are way down to Uluru, we saw Tom about 90km out of town. He set off at 3am hoping to break his record of cycling 200km in 1 day. We stopped and gave him a cold drink and a biscuit, we took some photo's and waved him off. We drove passed him, beeping, shouting and waving to him. Go Tom Go!!!
We arrived at Uluru about 3pm, we drove to the Olgas (these are another rock formation next to Uluru) and did the gorge walk, which was beautiful, so got some great photos. We then drove tot he sunset lookout for the Olgas. We saw a little bit of the sun setting but decided to chance driving to Uluru to see the world famous sunset. We got there just in time, opened a beer, sat and watched Uluru change colour as the sun down.
We were the last one's to leave and got some of the best images of the rock. Back at the campsite,we found that the fridge we just fixed 3 days ago was now not working at all. Yes another great piece of news, not!
Sophie went of to sleep under the stars in her sleeping bag, we thought she was mad, we offered her the bunk in the van, but see declined (there was signs saying Dingo's around, wild dogs).We arranged to meet her for sunrise at 6am. So we told her to be careful.
As we put the lights out to go to sleep, we watched rabbits jumping around the van and an amazing full moon rise up from behind the camper van. Off we went into Zzzzzzzzzz
We arrived at Uluru about 3pm, we drove to the Olgas (these are another rock formation next to Uluru) and did the gorge walk, which was beautiful, so got some great photos. We then drove tot he sunset lookout for the Olgas. We saw a little bit of the sun setting but decided to chance driving to Uluru to see the world famous sunset. We got there just in time, opened a beer, sat and watched Uluru change colour as the sun down.
We were the last one's to leave and got some of the best images of the rock. Back at the campsite,we found that the fridge we just fixed 3 days ago was now not working at all. Yes another great piece of news, not!
Sophie went of to sleep under the stars in her sleeping bag, we thought she was mad, we offered her the bunk in the van, but see declined (there was signs saying Dingo's around, wild dogs).We arranged to meet her for sunrise at 6am. So we told her to be careful.
As we put the lights out to go to sleep, we watched rabbits jumping around the van and an amazing full moon rise up from behind the camper van. Off we went into Zzzzzzzzzz
Sore heads coz of Alice 28th,29th and 30th August 2007
We had a lie in this morning, due to us both having sore heads from a great night. We planned to met Tom and Sophie, but cancelled as we had to get the fridge. We waited 2 hours in the shop until it was finally ready. Did some shopping, relaxed and went to watch "I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry", coz it was cheap Tuesday. Really good and funny film, you should all see it!
The next day we walked into town, checked emails and chilled out in the evening with a few beers and cards.
Thursday: we dropped the van off and walked into town. We walked up to "Anzac Hill" which looked out over the whole of Alice Springs. We walked into the centre and bumped into Sophie, and told her the van was in and we should be ready to go to Uluru tomorrow at 7am. It got to about 4pm and the van was still not ready so we walked to the garage. When we arrived the woman said they had just finished and said she had only charged us for 4hours not the 7hours they said they had worked to fix the alternator. Then gave us a bill and Hannah nearly fell on the floor as the bill was 550$ that's about 220 pounds for an alternator, and they fixed the old one not replaced it.....Robbing $$$$$$$$'s
The next day we walked into town, checked emails and chilled out in the evening with a few beers and cards.
Thursday: we dropped the van off and walked into town. We walked up to "Anzac Hill" which looked out over the whole of Alice Springs. We walked into the centre and bumped into Sophie, and told her the van was in and we should be ready to go to Uluru tomorrow at 7am. It got to about 4pm and the van was still not ready so we walked to the garage. When we arrived the woman said they had just finished and said she had only charged us for 4hours not the 7hours they said they had worked to fix the alternator. Then gave us a bill and Hannah nearly fell on the floor as the bill was 550$ that's about 220 pounds for an alternator, and they fixed the old one not replaced it.....Robbing $$$$$$$$'s
Drinking with Alice 27th August 2007
Rang a few places about the van, booked the van into an auto electricians and also for a service. We found a place that dealt with fridges, they should it would cost about 450$ to repair or 1000$ for a new one. As we went to leave they said they could try and put it back together but couldn't promise anything, so we left it with them! We went back to the campsite and relaxed until we got ready to go out. We rang the fridge place they said they would give us a call tomorrow. We went to meet Tom and went to Annie's place, ordered a cheap meal for 5$ and got a jug of beer for 10$, bargain! We sat and talked all night. Tom introduced us to a girl called Sophie, she was also French and really nice, we ended up offering her a lift to Uluru. We drank more and more beer and chatted, until the bar shut and they through us out!
First day in Alice Springs 26th August 2007
We woke up this morning and went for a run, that's me and Hannah! When we got back a couple of our neighbours had a look at our van. We met a guy called Peter from Perth travelling on his own and loving it. They said we should take it to get looked at and maybe a service too. We left the van at the campsite and wondered into town to have a look around the market. We checked our emails and bumped into Tom and arranged to met him the following evening at a a backpackers called Annie's.
Chilled out in the sunshine at the campsite, made dinner and watched the stars.
Chilled out in the sunshine at the campsite, made dinner and watched the stars.
Crazy French Man "Tom" 25th August 2007
We had a 500km drive to Alice Springs today and half way at a place called Ti tree, we were approached by a guy in his 20's, spoke with a French accent and asking for a lift to Alice Springs. His push bike was having problems, he had a broken spoke in his rear wheel and could not cycle any further. I asked Hannah if we could take him and we decided to take him the 200km south. On the way we found his name was Tom and yes he was from France, he was cycling from Darwin in the far north of Oz to Adelaide and then on to Melbourne its about 4000km that's about 2500 miles. We named him "The Crazy Frenchman". We chatted all the way to Alice and he was very disappointed when we approached Alice because this was his first big land mark and he couldn't cycle into it. Hannah said to Tom , that we could drop him off at the city limits and let him walk the rest but he declined and we all laughed.
When we arrived we went to tourist info, found our campsite and a cycle repair shop for Tom. His friend of a friend in Alice was a work so he chilled out with us at our campsite until she had finished work and we dropped him in town and said we would meet up later in the week for a drink.
That night we went to what the Simpson's movie, after the film we started the van to find out the ignition lights were lighting up the dashboard. Great another problem, we'll worry about it tomorrow.
When we arrived we went to tourist info, found our campsite and a cycle repair shop for Tom. His friend of a friend in Alice was a work so he chilled out with us at our campsite until she had finished work and we dropped him in town and said we would meet up later in the week for a drink.
That night we went to what the Simpson's movie, after the film we started the van to find out the ignition lights were lighting up the dashboard. Great another problem, we'll worry about it tomorrow.
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