Day 9 & 10
Yalara to Kings Canyon Resort
Pretty uneventful trip – saw Mt Connor again, still looks good even after seeing Uluru. Saw the t-shirt tree again. Near the t-intersection where you turn off for Kings Canyon is a tree (large shrub) dressed in different t-shirts from different places. Kids think it looks funny. Stopped in at Kings Creek station for some very expensive petrol (yes I will be driving below 2rpms now) and had a look at some camels. Then on to Kings Canyon resort to set up camp. Camp ground is very nice, a bit smaller than expected so fills up fast and has beautiful views out over the Kings Canyon area. It is full of friendly people and some kids which is nice. One drawback(?) is there is no network coverage so no mobiles or internet. Had to use a payphone for the first time in I can’t remember how long. Watching Andy scrounge coins from the kids was very entertaining. Family played some tennis- Lisa tell Marco Andy thinks I have improved heaps might even play doubles with me now, he is also impressed with Matthew but thinks I am joking when I tell him that Madi has been having lessons for a year! Played some cards with the family and then watched ”Glee” which the kids are watching in the car- lots of laughter now lot less screaming!
Up early next day for a guided “Rim Walk” at Kings Canyon. On arrival we discovered our guide had cut open his foot and was unavailable so we could join guided Creek walk or come back at 2pm. Having already got out of bed we decided to do the creek walk and coincidently the family we joined with were our neighbours at the campground. They had two kids so Madi and Matthew were rapted. The cynic in me suspected the tour company wanted to combine the two groups as there was only one group for each walk but we went with in it. The guide was fantastic. He was indigenous, white mother, aboriginal father, grew up out here, further schooling in Alice Springs, worked as Tour Guide on the Great Ocean Road and doing tours between Adelaide and Alice and then came home about 18 months ago because he wanted to be back with his family and he thought he could show people his back yard. He was full of information, great with the kids and really good to talk to so we were glad we did the walk with him. Madi was glad too because the Creek walk is only 2.6kms return and a very easy walk. Alas, on the return trip you pass the starting point of the 6km Rim walk – a fairly steep cliff with steps cut into it. Andy and the boys decided we should do that walk too as it was still early and the boys hadn’t got to do any climbing yet. Madi started hyper ventilating but with some encouragement ( not necessarily gentle from her Father) committed herself to the climb. It was a bit like the stations of the cross, although she didn’t fall 3 times it was more rested 6 times (which I was grateful for) and then made it to the top. She lost it slightly on the walk around the top which meant we didn’t swim in the waterhole (having learnt our lesson at Uluru we decided the 800m detour would be too much for her) but they did get to wade around in a waterhole on top of the rim. We also ran into a lovely couple while the kids were putting their shoes and socks back on and after some conversation realized they were Grandparents of Emmanuel Kinder Kids from Madi and Matthews’ years- Hannah and Wesley Parkin (Susan’s kids). It is a very small world. We made it back down with no more falls or injuries – bonus. Home for lunch, the pool, playing in the park with friends, out to dinner (where Chris overcame his phobia about eating cute animals and had a camel burger which he declared good but I didn’t like) and more “Glee” before bed.
Today (Day 11) we are on our way to Alice Springs for a few days (and hopefully some network coverage!)
