Trying to get home for Christmas!

After my trip back home to see family and friends, I had a bit of trouble settling back into caravan life. I missed my family terribly, it was ridiculously hot in Alice Springs and we ended up staying for a lot longer than originally planned. However, we did have lots of good times as well!


We took a day trip in 46 degree heat, to the West MacDonnell Ranges, where we got to really appreciate the rugged beauty of the Australian desert. The MacDonnell Ranges are a 644 km long series of mountain ranges, and consist of parallel ridges running to the east and west of Alice Springs. The mountain range contains many spectacular gaps and gorges as well as areas of aboriginal significance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glen Helen Resort was a journey back in time.

 

 

 

 

It was beautiful swimming in Ellery Creek on such a hot day

 

 

The Ochre Pits were full of beautiful colours

 

 

As a way of earning an income on their trip around Oz, Ton and Cam have set a great little money spinner setting up stalls at fairs, markets and festivals. Ton is an excellent artist and has mastered the art of face painting, and they have a very professional setup for temporary tattoos. I had a great time helping them out whenever possible, and Sam loved helping them setup for the Todd Mall Markets.

 

One night Tonia had a face painting gig at the local Casino, and Cam had committed to holding a Temporary Tattoo stall at the Speedway races, so Sam and I were happy to help out until Tonia returned.

 

 

We were up early one morning to watch the partial solar eclipse, through a device that the boys and I had made. We also saw some beautiful cloud patterns in the night sky, called the morning glory, where the clouds roll over in endless stripes.

 

 

The kids got very involved in productions and concerts at the Steiner School and we loved going to watch them perform.

 

Dan, Ton and Cam took the kids out to Ross River Resort for the day. They had a really good time exploring the outer East MacDonnell Ranges.

 

I took Will and Zac to Desert Park and the West MacDonnell Ranges, while Dan stayed home and worked and Sam spent time with a new school friend.

 

 

We have had a great time in Alice Springs, have seen some beautiful scenery and made some fantastic friends, but we are now ready to leave. Unfortunately our plans to travel south and leave our van in South Australia, while we drive home for Christmas, have been put on hold.

 

We discovered a fire in our rear quarter panel of the car, after driving on some rough roads. The car got towed to an auto electrician and we are now waiting for parts to arrive from Adelaide. We were supposed to leave last week to make it back to Melbourne in time for Christmas, but the car is not ready. Thankfully our insurance company is being excellent and are helping us out. They are prepared to pay some of the costs to fly us home and get the car and caravan towed back to Melbourne when it's fixed.

 

I just want to get home for Christmas!!