IN AND AROUND ALICE....

Another week in and around Alice. Last Sunday went out of town to one of the communities and an associated historical Aboriginal area.
The landscape was very rugged, but still beautiful.


Some of the local scenery.....

and more....

Hidden in,and under some of the rocks were some beautiful rock art. These images are produced by blowing a mouthful of dye over hands- quite eerie to see- especially considering the time the art has been there.

My favourite Ozzie icon...again.....

We also had clouds last weekend........quite a rarity.....

Near where we were is a historical place where late 19th century was a Lutheran Mission. We intend going back as it was closed when we arrived. I poked my camera through the fence- magnificant gum trees again....I will report on the mission when we return.

The old mission buildings are superb...there will be an update.....soon.....

Take care all of you.......

AROUND ALICE.....

I haven't done a lot over the past few weeks- just enjoying Alice. Chased a sunset one night last week and came up with these images of Alice town late evening.

This is the shopping area looking south.

And of course, the sun sank in the west leaving the usual beautiful colour in the sky- something to do with the red dust in the atmosphere.

This caught my eye as the sun dropped. This is a fuel tanker with 4 trailers, which regularly travels to Darwin and return. When this road train starts moving it cannot stop quickly......
A friend and I spent some time on Sunday watching the Ghan come in from Darwin, and 3 hours later heads south towards Adelaide. The complete trip takes 2 1/2 days. In earlier times, pre 1929, the train came part way and was met by Afghan traders who ferried people and cargo to the other end of the train link on camels. In 1929 it was joined up by rail. Thus the name "ghan".

The Ghan coming through the "Gap" out of Alice to go south to Adelaide.

I hope spring is in full bloom, I am looking forward to seeing ChCh in about 4 weeks.

take care....

and again....

CAMPING WEST OF ALICE.....

At work we have had 2 senior students with us fron Newcastle Uni. This weekend they finished so to give them a special memory, 8 of us from work took them camping. We went to a place called Glen Helen about 120km west of Alice. It was a real Allied Health weekend- radiographers, rad students, radiology nurse, dietitian, occupational therapist,sonographer- so we had most events covered!!!




This was our campsite-I really enjoy sleeping in a swag- they are very comfortable.Lying looking at the stars is something very special.



2 of us decided we would do a short helicopter ride over the area. It is so vast it really is the best way of seeing the land. Being a photographer I asked if we could go up as late as...so it was arranged that we fly about 6.15pm- sunset about 6.45. I wanted that lovely soft evening light.
This is our little chopper......

This is the Finke River, which according to local knowledge has never changed course, and is one of the oldest flowing rivers in the world.

Finke River cutting thru the gorge- the colours really had to be seen to be believed.

While we were flying- the pilot said he had never flown at that time of the day- and how everything looked so much more textured. So I gave him a very short lesson on soft evening light....etc etc.... (photography 101 I think it was!!!) He was delighted.

More of the area....

I was rapt with the short flight, and the images I got. Sometimes things all work together.

There were still a lot of these beautiful guardians of the rivers..........

A very large full moon completed the beautiful evening, plus a wine or two of course.

I hope you are all well...look after each other.....