Yulara to Alice

Hello again.

Sorry we have been off line for a little while. A combination of issues including a broken laptop, lack of mobile range and sheer laziness have all contributed! We have been traveling well although a breakdown at Erldunda (200km south of Alice Springs) meant a quick detour for the land cruiser and I via a tow truck. Sounds like a disaster but I had a nice little night away in a comfy hotel, plenty of hot water and a fluffy towel or two which took the edge off the inconvenience. My new friend, Russ, from "Outback Recoveries" got us back on the road and out to Yulara in no time which was great.

We all loved Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Such an amazing natural phenomenon and the boys were extremely impressed with such a sizable attraction. We enjoyed some short but beautiful walks around the area, it is truly a special place. The caravan park there is enormous and the boys loved it as there were plenty of other kids ands lots of places for them to ride their scooters. Very cold evenings and a bit of rain early on but it has been a highlight in our trip so far.

From there we traveled to Kings Canyon which is a very beautiful part of the world with lots of walks and gorges. It was nice there although very cold and wet. Ffrom there we traveled 230km to Glen Helen via the Mereenie Loop. This is a rather rough dirt road which is usually dry and easily navigated. Of course we tackled it after quite a large amount of rain (I thought deserts were usually dry?!) so it was particularly challenging for me and my very
limited 4WD experience. Apart from a few fingernails marks on the steering wheel and the muddiest car in Australia we survived relatively unscathed. We passed a motorbike, a Camry and a Wicked Camper Van, not sure if they made it through! Glen Helen is in the West MacDonnell ranges, stunning scenery. We visited the Standley Chasm which was a great walk for the boys along a creek bed. Lots of stones, puddles to jump in and things to look at, they loved it.

We are now in Alice Springs. Weather is beautiful and although cool at night the days are clear and sunny. We are staying in the "Big 4" park, boys are so pleased with it that they would actually prefer stay there all day rather than going out! Huge jumping pillow, go carts and a new little friend named Annie with lots of cool toys and forgiving parents - what more could you want?! Jase managed to drag them to a a train and truck museum which they really enjoyed and we also went to a reptile park which was great as you were allowed to hold various creatures including a huge olive python named Tom.

Next major stop is Katherine via the Devils Marbles. Very much looking forward to the warmer weather and tropics, armed with plenty of mozzie repellant and sunscreen! We hope to be in Darwin in early August after visiting Kakadu which we are all looking forward to.

Hope this finds you well, will post some happy snaps soon,

Love, Chippy x