Sun 29th Sept to Tue 1st Oct
We have a terrific site at the Wintersun Caravan Park on the north side of town. It is shady throughout the day and thank goodness as the sun is relentless and it is 33 deg in the shade at the moment. If you are going to do anything that involves being outdoors you do it early or late.
Driving past Traeger Park brought back memories of a football grand final that was much closer than the one played out at ‘The G’ yesterday. In 2001, Eric was manager of the Rivers Team from Katherine Region and they made it into the final. The team was made up from mostly Katherine township Primary School aged boys, but also communities at Ngukurr (5 hr drive) and Larjamanu (10 hr drive). Eric had never even seen these boys train due to their remoteness, but had been told to hold some places in the team for them. They had to go shopping the first day they arrived in Alice as a number of players had never worn a pair of footy boots and the rules stated all players must wear the complete kit. In the final they trailed all game but then kicked a goal to take the lead just before the final siren. A very excited group of boys on the bus journey home.
We took a drive out to Trephina Gorge, of all the gorges this is my favourite. We followed the trail up along the gorge rim for scenic views of the sheer red cliffs that loom over the tree-lined creek bed and then looped back along the sandy gorge floor. There is a semi-permanent waterhole here but it is bone dry at the moment despite the recent rain.The place would be alive with birds if we were earlier, but it takes an hour to drive out to this spot in the East MacDonnells and we like our bed too much.
We camped overnight out here in July 2003 with the boys. Our intentions at the time were to also see the West MacDonnells and then continue out along the Mereenie Loop, now renamed The Red Centre Way. We had found it so cold at night though, we rethought the plans. We tried one more night under canvas at Glen Helen Resort to the west and then retraced our steps and booked a cabin at Wintersun Caravan Park, of all places.
We love the stunning Ghost Gums around Alice Springs which tend to grow in open woodland areas, often standing alone and making a majestic statement in their stunning white and green costume. Another place they can be found is clinging to the rocky hillsides in the many gorges and along creeks. The one on the right below is noted as a significant tree of the area and is believed to be over 300 yrs old.
On our way back from Trephina this time we did the walking track around the impressive Corroboree Rock. This is remnant rock believed to be 800 million years old and an important sacred men’s site in Arrernte culture. Can you find the small hole where the sky can be seen right through? When I used to bring a bus load of Yr 11 students up to Alice Springs in the 80's we lunched here each time and many students enjoyed the challenge of climbing through that hole. Like climbing Uluru, not allowed these days and fair enough. We had the option of stopping at Jessie Gap and Emily Gap but by then it was getting too hot to be outside, so instead we went to Bunnings (as you do on the weekend). Eric was delighted to find there was no queue at the sausage sizzle and I was happy that it was cool inside.
They say the Alice Springs Golf Course is a blend of unique charm and subtle severity. Due to the narrow fairways, accuracy is a must, and it is not one of my strengths. The front 9 was closed so we played the back and as a result didn't have to face fairways flanked on at least one side by rocky outcrops, but I found plenty of sandy, rough lies and a number of rabbit holes. The lush, manicured greens were such a contrast to the MacDonnell Ranges backdrop. The course is currently rated 43rd in Australia and despite my scorecard I did enjoy the walk in the early hours of the day.
We spent a very pleasant evening on the verandah of Juicy Rump at Lassiters with our friend Tina. More recently a resident of Darwin, I first worked with Tina in an IT Team when Sandy was our boss. Tina joined the Alice team and I was fortunate enough to be asked to accompany her on her first visit out to remote schools. Our itinerary included Yulara, Mutujulu and Imampa. A very memorable trip for a number of reasons and we have been friends ever since.
Skiddy, one of Eric's HHH mates who is working temporarily in Alice, along with Ellen and Hayden, more of Tina's friends, joined us to make up the party.
We have a terrific site at the Wintersun Caravan Park on the north side of town. It is shady throughout the day and thank goodness as the sun is relentless and it is 33 deg in the shade at the moment. If you are going to do anything that involves being outdoors you do it early or late.
Driving past Traeger Park brought back memories of a football grand final that was much closer than the one played out at ‘The G’ yesterday. In 2001, Eric was manager of the Rivers Team from Katherine Region and they made it into the final. The team was made up from mostly Katherine township Primary School aged boys, but also communities at Ngukurr (5 hr drive) and Larjamanu (10 hr drive). Eric had never even seen these boys train due to their remoteness, but had been told to hold some places in the team for them. They had to go shopping the first day they arrived in Alice as a number of players had never worn a pair of footy boots and the rules stated all players must wear the complete kit. In the final they trailed all game but then kicked a goal to take the lead just before the final siren. A very excited group of boys on the bus journey home.
We took a drive out to Trephina Gorge, of all the gorges this is my favourite. We followed the trail up along the gorge rim for scenic views of the sheer red cliffs that loom over the tree-lined creek bed and then looped back along the sandy gorge floor. There is a semi-permanent waterhole here but it is bone dry at the moment despite the recent rain.The place would be alive with birds if we were earlier, but it takes an hour to drive out to this spot in the East MacDonnells and we like our bed too much.
We camped overnight out here in July 2003 with the boys. Our intentions at the time were to also see the West MacDonnells and then continue out along the Mereenie Loop, now renamed The Red Centre Way. We had found it so cold at night though, we rethought the plans. We tried one more night under canvas at Glen Helen Resort to the west and then retraced our steps and booked a cabin at Wintersun Caravan Park, of all places.
We love the stunning Ghost Gums around Alice Springs which tend to grow in open woodland areas, often standing alone and making a majestic statement in their stunning white and green costume. Another place they can be found is clinging to the rocky hillsides in the many gorges and along creeks. The one on the right below is noted as a significant tree of the area and is believed to be over 300 yrs old.
On our way back from Trephina this time we did the walking track around the impressive Corroboree Rock. This is remnant rock believed to be 800 million years old and an important sacred men’s site in Arrernte culture. Can you find the small hole where the sky can be seen right through? When I used to bring a bus load of Yr 11 students up to Alice Springs in the 80's we lunched here each time and many students enjoyed the challenge of climbing through that hole. Like climbing Uluru, not allowed these days and fair enough. We had the option of stopping at Jessie Gap and Emily Gap but by then it was getting too hot to be outside, so instead we went to Bunnings (as you do on the weekend). Eric was delighted to find there was no queue at the sausage sizzle and I was happy that it was cool inside.
They say the Alice Springs Golf Course is a blend of unique charm and subtle severity. Due to the narrow fairways, accuracy is a must, and it is not one of my strengths. The front 9 was closed so we played the back and as a result didn't have to face fairways flanked on at least one side by rocky outcrops, but I found plenty of sandy, rough lies and a number of rabbit holes. The lush, manicured greens were such a contrast to the MacDonnell Ranges backdrop. The course is currently rated 43rd in Australia and despite my scorecard I did enjoy the walk in the early hours of the day.
Skiddy, one of Eric's HHH mates who is working temporarily in Alice, along with Ellen and Hayden, more of Tina's friends, joined us to make up the party.
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