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.....

JUST LIVING IN ALICE.......

Just a short post today..I am meant to be working !! I haven't a lot of news just working and living. I have added some photos of my little car- it is my freedom to get out and about- wonderful. I am also house sitting at present- this is the front of it....

My car isn't too bad eh!!

Out and about found this interesting sign post...!!!

A friend and I decided to head out just before dusk on Saturday- to blow away some cobwebs.....

He has a proper vehicle for the area- so were able to go cross country and pick this spot to watch the sun drop ......

and even further into the warm atmosphere.......





until we were left with this icon of drought/struggle/ and history.

It is an amazing place to live and work- no one can say it is easy living here, but it is truly beautiful.
Hope NZ is getting warmer..I would love to share the heat with you- its 31' here at present.

take care ....

SOME CRAZINESS IN ALICE.......

Once a year insanity hits Alice seriously.....we have a boatrace....nothing unusual you may think. Well for a boatrace one needs boats+people+water. Alice has 2 of these 3- no water, well none flowing in the river. Hey that doesn't stop a day of amazing craziness and family fun. Again the Rotary club excel themselves- a great day out, and charity funds raised. The day starts with the usual street parade.



This is main street Alice- the mall anyway, with one of the "boats" crewed by the R.F.D.S.




The day consisted of teams (from community) racing each other, culminating in a end of day grand champion. We had rowing 2's,4's, and 8's. This team being the 8's....


The 8's battling it out again....

This was the two man sculling,,,with shovels.....

I am told it is all in the timing......

A really fun day out for all..

Just to finish off I thought I would add a few photos of the "locals".....

Not a good hair day......

Keeping the kids under control is important...and knowing where they are at all times......


no kid likes it's face being washed...

Keeping the family together... the front pack is useful for the baby of the family. (These are black footed rock wallabies.)

And making time to just relax and dream..............



I hope you enjoy this bit of frivolity...these animals are so expressive.

love to you all...stay safe....

Out and About- East of Alice.....

On re-reading this post- I think I should have called it my continuing love affair with the gum tree......anyway enjoy....


I was very lucky to spend some time yesterday with some friends I work with, out to the East of Alice, in the East McDonnells. Landscapewise it is very different to the West McDonnells- so was very enjoyable. We headed towards Trephina Gorge- which had a little water in it. After rain it can be quite spectacular, - so I have heard.....






Trephina Gorge-with a small amount of water.






and looking the other direction.. Clouds of green budgies made their presence heard very noisyly. They were enjoying the water's edge.






Very interesting holes in rocks made for interesting photos- this is John -one of my workmates trying not to fall through gap.

All along the gorge were the most unusual shaped gums....some of them struggling for survival in rock cracks

some showing signs of a long struggle with survival....

I have really renewed my great love for gum trees- they are such survivors- and have a beautiful variation in colours/barks/ forms.

more gums with the amazing reflection of the red earth giving it a "glow".

and another...........

out along the road was this superb specimen- 35m tall, and over 300 years old. I found it quite breath taking.

another view of the same tree..again with the reflected glow form the red earth below.

I hope you have enjoyed my trees- they are magical in their form and the contrast with the reds in this area.

Take care all of you....