Alice Springs & the Macdonnell Ranges 25 & 26/9/11

Alice has become our base by default due to the fires all around the area for hundreds of km's. They are nothing like the bush fires we have in Victoria but their spread seems to be a lot more vast.
We used Sunday as our rest day and caught up with the necessities including calls to home, laundry, re stocking the food boxes and a bit of car & camper maintenance. We also took the opportunity to go into town and have a poke around Todd Mall and the local reptile park. We all ended up draped in a snake called 'tom'. He was a Olive Python and his girth was extraordinary. The things we do! We vein watched a digeridoo performance here in the caravan park, and yes by the end of it John not only wanted the CD, but even suggested buying a digeridoo. Those who know John would not be surprised by that.
Monday was spent heading out through the Eastern Macdonnell Ranges. Trephine Gorge wasn't too bad, but the highlight for me was the old deserted ghost gold mining town of Arltunga. The ruins here were quite fascinating, plenty of photos were taken. We were surprised at how few people were out at the Eastern Macdonell ranges, compared to the Western. I would have loved to get out to Ruby Gap, but the conditions did not allow us. Fires are everywhere around here at the moment! We are biting the bullet and heading East to QLD to escape the smoke haze. The kids are thrilled by that prospect. I.must admit, seeing the sea once again has got me a bit excited too!