To Ayers Rock

Before we left the camp ground at Alice Springs this morning we lined up with our plates for free pan cakes and so did everyone else.Notice the umbrellas around,that's because it is lightly raining and did I mention freezing.



It took a while for them too get going ,but once they started this hot plate was full of Delicious pan cakes



Ahead is called the gap which you drive through when leaving Alice springs towards Ayers Rock.



Its about 460 km to drive to Ayers Rock and this is a lot of what you will see on the way.



As you can see the rain is still around this is one muddy service station



I got all excited and thought this was Ayers rock only to discover it was not we had to travel about another 120 km to see that.This is Mt Connor and is also a great sight.



It was getting late when we arrived at the camp ground which is 18km away from Ayers Rock but at least this was my first glimpse and we will drive there tomorrow. That is, if we have not frozen to death over night.

To Alice Springs

Before we left Tennant Creek we went to this service station to full up on fuel as it another long trip to Alice Springs about 505 km. Fuel here was $1.59 a Litre.



On our way we visited a place called Devils Marbles.Werner got out to take photos but I stayed in the van it was so cold and starting to rain



Another stop was this garage where everything was about UFO's.They even had statues of little green men around the place.



We came across flooded roads on our way and I was not surprised as the weather is terrible



Along each side of the roads were big amounts of flood water



The ground out here is so dry and hard the water only sits on top for ages.



It was late and freezing when we arrived at Alice springs so we did not see very much of it.so this morning we went up to the lookout to look around.It is about 8 degree and the time is about 10am.Not what we expected here in Alice Spring and we had to wear our winter cloths.



This and the next photo is taken from the lookout showing you apart of Alice Springs.It is not what I thought it would look like But I am probably think in terms of 50 years or more ago.

To Tennant Creek

I made sure today I only went as far as it was for Werner to hit has 12000 km mark so we could celebrate together.



I like these cattle grates as being only painted on the road,make it much more smother to drive across.I wonder if the cattle are fooled by them.



The roads are long and straight with lots of nothing to see other than small bushes



Just another coffee stop Werner is going for his 200 plus km today and is looking good as far as making it.



A good sign to see after over 200km on the road.Our camp town for the night.



The main street of Tennant Creek as I drove in and will wait for Werner here.



Well done Werner first over 200 km cycled on this trip.He actually did 211km

Rest day Barkly Homestead

Barkly homestead is a very large Roadhouse with a big camp area at the back as well as cabins.The whole complex is run by diesel generators which you can here and they run 24/7 .So prices were a bit expensive last night a can of beer and a can of vodka and orange cost $14.40 Glad I am not a drinker.


The drive to the camp area is just at the side of this large shed and the place has a swimming pool but was too cold to go in.



At about 5pm this area is packed out with caravan and as you can see by 9am this morning they have all left, we were the only ones here until later in the day when they all start coming in again.This is how it has been in most of the caravan parks we have stayed at.

To Barkly Homestead

The roads along here seems to go on forever, flat and straight as far as you can see



Time to fill up the Water bottles again maybe have a coffee



Every time I saw one of these towers I expected to have mob. coverage till I found out they are Radio Repeater Stations



Werner setting up camp at Barkly Homestead. I feel sorry for the guy he just never gets a rest.

To Soudan Rest Area

Waiting at the border into NT for Werner and the first thing he wanted me to do park the van under the sign for photos



Werner is still well dressed up because of the fresh starts we are having lately



I dont now if the van can reach 130 km/h without flying to peaces



And how is this for a race track. All flat out and still can't manage 130 km



This is the first stop after crossing into NT at Avon Downs which also has a Police station but that's all



Have to keep an eye on the fuel gauge as it is nearly 270 km to the next R'house



This is the free camp area we stayed at about 1/2 way to Barkly Homestead



I'm not in mourning just keeping the b....y fly's off



Werner wanted to know how in the world he would be able to eat his dinner with all the fly's around.

To Camooweal

Werner enjoying some nice home made sandwiches after cycling 50 km this morning with only another140 km to go



Me hiding the van under a tree to get as much as possible shade



Werner is covered up because of the strong sun and heat this afternoon



Camooweal our destination for today which is a very small town



This is the main street through Camooweal, just have to be careful not to drive straight past it

Rest Day Mt Isa

looking down on Mt Isa from the lookout.You can see the mine plays a big part in this town



Werner and me checking out the views around Mt Isa from the look
out


On this sign I can see it says Perth is 2659km but that is in a straight line it is more than likely triple that, the way we are going back there.

To Mount Isa

After driving nearly half way to Mount Isa today, I came across Jack heading towards me.He was cycling to Cloncurry from Mt Isa where they had stayed last night.As it had only been a short while since I left Werner I radioed him to see how far away he was and he was only about 1 km from us.So Jack waited with me for Werner to arrive



Werner just arriving to catch up with Jack once more.



The three of us watched this road train pass, giving the driver a big wave as he sounded his horn.One less for me to deal with today.



The scenery was more interesting today with hills around the place not just flat.



This was our last goodbye for sure. Janet would not say good bye again over the last few days as she had said, we just keep running into each other so there is no point. I stopped several more km from here and said a final bye to Janet. They will be heading now back home to NSW



At last we are at Mount Isa and all set up, to spend a few days here relaxing before heading to Tennant Creek.