Hi Everyone,
Thanks to those who left comments on the last entry. It is always nice to hear from family and friends.
Day 4 - Marla to Yulara
We left camp at around 9 and headed to Yulara, about 20kms from Uluru and where we are staying for a few days at Ayers Rock Campground. It was raining - again so now the car and the van are a funny red colour. I am now allowed to travel at any speed as long as the revs stay below 2 - this generally means between 90 and 100 so that should make Damien happy. Travelling at this sedate pace has given me plenty of time to perfect my new version of rock, paper, scissors. It involves having to guess what kind of wave, if any, the car coming towards you will give - 1 index finger, both index fingers(two hands - quite rare), whole hand raised from wheel, couple of fingers - you get the drift. If I guess correctly which means I have to have given them the same greeting before seeing theirs I get 1 point, wrong lose a point, make it to 10 points and if Andy is asleep go a bit faster! Its not that I am a speed freak - I'm not it is just that the road is soooooo boring! Chris thinks there is a real problem out here because there are no towns on the road and he cannot believe how the road just keeps on going with no end in sight! We finally turned on to the Lassiter highway which is the road to Uluru and that caused momentary excitement because it was a different road. When we saw Mt Connor the kids all cryed out "Is that Ayers Rock" and I was tempted to say yes and turn around. It would make a great tourist sight if it wasn't on private property as it is much closer to main turn off and tourism should be about convenience shouldn't it? Anyway about another 150kms later we made it to Yulara and got to set up camp. Oh joy, we are staying here 3 days or so and that means Andy gets to set up the annex! If only we had not been in such a rush when we picked up the caravan and had actually let the people we bought it from give us the 2 hour tutorial they wanted to! Anyway 1 hour later we finally figured out the puzzle that was the annex and it doesn't look too bad - if it rains we might be in trouble but that won't matter anyway because after all that work none of the kids will sleep in it - bloody Supernatural!!! After the annex I went on strike, took myself off to the showers, ignored the water is a scare resource sign and had a nice long hot shower, for you greenies out there I will abstain from my next shower to make up for it! Andy cooked dinner and we all went to bed. Exciting isn't it.
Day 5 - Rest day (and yes we do know that today is Thursday but sometimes you just have to wing it).
Kids have been catching up on some reading, writing and maths (Nick's angry face is coming along very well). They have been up and down the lookout and run and scooted around the park. They were very keen for a swim because although it is only around 18 the sun is shining and apparently that is all you need. They got suited up, walked down to the pool, luckily followed all water safety instructions and looked before they jumped - no water in pool!! So much for that idea. Have done some reccon work and tomorrow we are off early to Ayers Rock for a walk around the base (yes Madi will make it even if Andy has to drag her)and then a look at the Olgas. We are planning to stay here til around Saturday and have a look at Kings Canyon as well. Then we will overnight in Alice Springs, move on to the Devils Marbles, overnight someplace else and on to Katherine. All is going well. I have used the camp laundry, showers and toilets so am really very adaptable. Will let you know how the touring around the area goes. love Kate and the other Noone 5
