Good evening all. Today we ventured out to the Gorges along the West Macdonnell ranges that surround Alice Springs. Once again there was a bit of walking to do but there is no point in driving 100ks to sit in the car. The photo below was taken at Simpsons gap with a beautiful billabong. The reflection in the water was unbelievable and I even tried to edit so it wasn't so blue. Oh, this morning when we woke the temperature was down to a little above 0 deg. Yes it was one deg. Froze those little t***** off. Mine are still ok.
The river beds were dry throughout the area. The ghost gums date back 100 years. Some were ravaged by time and fallen only to find an edge along the back to re root and continue their growth. This is a harsh reminder of the arid desert around Alice Springs.
We drove on to Ellery creek and again walked into an oasis of little pockets of water. The rivers beds still dry but the small ponds were scattered around the base of the high gorge walls. The reflection in the water from the sky was beautiful. The wind that blew through the gap was very cool and it was time to get the windcheaters on and not for the last time.
The one disappointment for the day was when we walked up the rugged hill climb of Serpintine gorge. This was just a little bit better than a goats trail. Every step you took was either going to take you up or send you crashing back down to the bottom the quick way. Out of all the walks we did this one put the wind up both of us. And when we did get to the top it was very dissapointing. I didn't even get to photograph anything due to the location of the lookout. Oh then we had to come down the way we went up. Anyway you get the idea.
We finally made it to the last gorge on the road. Ormiston gorge. This was a pretty little place with a kiosk. We sat, drank tea and had a bite to eat. The lady who ran the kiosk was from Ararat and very friendly. We were going to take a hike through the gorge but decided not when told we may have to walk through the water and it was about 2-3 ft deep. The temperature of the water was also a bit cold. We decided to walk up, yes up another 299 steps to the Ghost gum lookout. As you can see Gabriella made it. Nah only kidding the climb wasn't that bad considering an older man was running backdown the steps as we were climbing them. The view was nice but that wind chill was cool. The tree behind Gabriella was the only tree on the ledge. When you look up there is one lonely tree.
As we headed back to Alice with the long drive ahead, I was struck by 'Mad cows disease ' as all the roads look the same the speed limit is the same and the redness is the same. So with one more day in Alice we are heading out to Palm Valley to do a bit of four wheel driving to look at some Palm trees. Yes Palm trees. At least I don't have to climb anything, yet. Could end up climbing a palm who knows. We fired up the webber tonight and cooked roast lamb. Well that was a lovely meal to have at the end of a long day. Looking forward to a good nights sleep. We will be rugging up tonight as the temp is back down to 1 deg. Bye for now.
Good evening all. Today we ventured out to the Gorges along the West Macdonnell ranges that surround Alice Springs. Once again there was a bit of walking to do but there is no point in driving 100ks to sit in the car. The photo below was taken at Simpsons gap with a beautiful billabong. The reflection in the water was unbelievable and I even tried to edit so it wasn't so blue. Oh, this morning when we woke the temperature was down to a little above 0 deg. Yes it was one deg. Froze those little t***** off. Mine are still ok.
The river beds were dry throughout the area. The ghost gums date back 100 years. Some were ravaged by time and fallen only to find an edge along the back to re root and continue their growth. This is a harsh reminder of the arid desert around Alice Springs.
We drove on to Ellery creek and again walked into an oasis of little pockets of water. The rivers beds still dry but the small ponds were scattered around the base of the high gorge walls. The reflection in the water from the sky was beautiful. The wind that blew through the gap was very cool and it was time to get the windcheaters on and not for the last time.
The one disappointment for the day was when we walked up the rugged hill climb of Serpintine gorge. This was just a little bit better than a goats trail. Every step you took was either going to take you up or send you crashing back down to the bottom the quick way. Out of all the walks we did this one put the wind up both of us. And when we did get to the top it was very dissapointing. I didn't even get to photograph anything due to the location of the lookout. Oh then we had to come down the way we went up. Anyway you get the idea.
We finally made it to the last gorge on the road. Ormiston gorge. This was a pretty little place with a kiosk. We sat, drank tea and had a bite to eat. The lady who ran the kiosk was from Ararat and very friendly. We were going to take a hike through the gorge but decided not when told we may have to walk through the water and it was about 2-3 ft deep. The temperature of the water was also a bit cold. We decided to walk up, yes up another 299 steps to the Ghost gum lookout. As you can see Gabriella made it. Nah only kidding the climb wasn't that bad considering an older man was running backdown the steps as we were climbing them. The view was nice but that wind chill was cool. The tree behind Gabriella was the only tree on the ledge. When you look up there is one lonely tree. 
As we headed back to Alice with the long drive ahead, I was struck by 'Mad cows disease ' as all the roads look the same the speed limit is the same and the redness is the same. So with one more day in Alice we are heading out to Palm Valley to do a bit of four wheel driving to look at some Palm trees. Yes Palm trees. At least I don't have to climb anything, yet. Could end up climbing a palm who knows. We fired up the webber tonight and cooked roast lamb. Well that was a lovely meal to have at the end of a long day. Looking forward to a good nights sleep. We will be rugging up tonight as the temp is back down to 1 deg. Bye for now.
Tim: you think it's cold up there you should be down here we have cold nights and cold days. Yesterday morning I thought I saw a nun walking across the paddock looking closer I found it was a peguin from the south pole with respect to all nuns lol.
ReplyDeleteYou want to watch out for that wild stock I'd go running if I had to confront that animal (wild stock better known as scrub bulls).
The photography is a credit to you but I guess you can't get better than seeing the real thing.
You don't realise how big Australia is until you venture into the outback, I may just have to venture that way one day as your photo's have given me a real appreciation of the top end.
Looking good Gabriella you'll have to keep that walking up when you get back which will no doubt be on a better surface. Maybe that's what I need to kickstart my exercise plan.
Happy motoring.