5 July – 8 July Alice Springs

Alice Springs is the largest town since Perth. 20,000 people feels like a big city. Not only is the fact that we are in a city a big change but the temperature! Gone are the hot and sweaty nights of the Kimberleys. I now think of them quite fondly as I sit at the computer updating the blog in the evening dressed in my thermals, beanie and about three layers of clothing. The days are a pleasant 20 degrees but the evenings get down to 1 degree. Sleeping bags are holding up well!
Pottered around the local markets on Sunday morning eating mango smoothies and cupcakes. Spent the afternoon at our dodgy campsite where the only spot left for camping was next to the pool filter. Kids were desperate to go swimming so we set the 20 degree rule. Kids were only allowed in the pool if the day time temp hit 20 degrees. They spent every few minutes checking the temp gauge we had in the car 18 degrees, 19 degrees, 19.5, 19.7…didn’t hit 20 but so close!
Monday we were able to shift campgrounds to the nearby Big 4 caravan park. A big hit for the kids! To some extent I think a Big 4 caravan park is more of a holiday for the kids than wandering through the beauty of places like the Bungle Bungles. Hard to beat a good jumping pillow, Pinnacle of Terror and swimming pool.
On Tuesday we went to the Alice Springs Desert Park which was a nice afternoon with lots of bird life, a bird show and interesting facts on the desert.
We have decided to stay for Tim’s birthday on the 8th and then head off towards the West MacDonnell Ranges as we are now in countdown until we get home in 2 weeks time. As you can imagine he was spoiled rotten with presents and lots of cards from all the kids. The Webbs are continuing to have more trouble with their car so it is likely that they and the Serisiers will be spending a few more days in Alice waiting for parts and repairs. We may catch up again with the S&Ws in Uluru depending on how they go with repairs.