Jun 06, 2009

Yesterday's PS:
Turns out it's just as well we decided not to stay in Alice Springs yesterday. Being the long weekend they have a Finke Rally race (or something like that) a 400 kms race out through the desert in all manner of vehicle and then come back the next day so accommodation reportedly booked out.

Today:
Probably no surprise to anyone but we had another early start and headed west. Man was it COLD! Had the hand grip warmers on high until we got to The Rock / Ayers Rock / Uluru and the waterproof pants barely stayed on top of the chill factor. Thankfully we had the sun on our backs the whole way and gradually warmed up. Having said that I've worn my polar fleece neck warmer and waterproof pants all day and slowly warmed up and was comfortable by the time we got back then had the hottest shower I have EVER had and it was heavenly!!!

Our first stop this morning was at Mt Ebenezer where we had a toasted egg and bacon sandwich and juice. Yummy. A while after we headed off we became aware of a great huge something to the south which is just God teasing tourists. As you get closer the realisation is that the shape is all wrong to be THE rock. It is in fact Mt Connor. Needless to say since we have a grandson of that name we took a snap as we also did of Connor's Well yesterday.

Next stop Curtin Springs Station and we were greeted at the fuel pumps by the local resident emu. I would have liked to get a pic as he followed Norm to the pump but I wasn't quick enough to get the blackberry out and I have to confess I was a bit reluctant to have skin and especially eyes which were at his beak level exposed. He un-hurriedly checked out Norm and the bike then wandered off about his business without a backwards glance. Curtin Springs was where we stayed in 72 on our way back from the Rock and not a whole lot has changed let me tell you. The shop / bar building is basically the same and the outside dining area / beer garden under the grassy roof held up by poles is still there though probably renewed over time. The corrugated iron room we stayed in now looks to be staff quarters and has outer stone walls and the concrete block the corrugated iron outside loo and bathroom stood on is now partially covered by a laundry.

When we booked in back in 72 it was dark and well after 9.30pm. As they gave us the tour to our room they showed us where a candle and matches were and said that lights out was at 10pm. We brought our bags, the primus and food and the two boys in and were both tired and a bit grumpy thinking we'll turn our lights off when we we're good and ready but seconds later we realised there was a slight hesitation in a background noise we hadn't been previously aware of and realised that it coincided with a marginal dimming of the lights. Reality set in as we scrambled for the candle and matches before the generator turned right off and we had no lights. We thankfully got the candle lit before we were in complete darkness and then lit the primus and had our dinner by candlelight. Didn't really strike us as all that romantic at the time though we did have a good laugh as we later made our way to the outside loo in a strong wind with a candle which wanted to blow out!



Curtin Springs Station.

One of the pics today is of the shop side of Curtin Springs which just shows that while things may change they also stay the same. You can see the brush / grass roof to the left of the pic beyond the phone boxes which also weren't there. Another pic today is of the back of the staff polo tops there. Typical of a lot of the Territory humour which needless to say we enjoy and Norm especially hooks right into. Also took a pic of the front which refers to the staff being ugly but providing top hospitality and service. I asked if there was a choice about wearing it. He said no!.

We drove past the entrance to the Yulara Resort (no interest in that until we needed fuel in the afternoon) and just watched in awe as the Rock grew larger and larger. I really had forgotten just how awesomely magnificent the presence of it is. If you haven't seen it you MUST. We got the pick of the pics today from the car sunset viewing area compliments of a young couple.



The two oldies with bike in front of THE Rock!This is now the screensaver on my office PC as wellas part of the header for this blog.

Needless to say we returned the favour of taking a snap of them with their two littlies. We checked out the Cultural Centre which defiantly wasn't there in 72 (or the sealed roads so we were glad of that change) and headed to the Climb site which was open. Yes, Norm had decided to do the climb since he missed out last time. That time it was late in the afternoon and we didn't know how long it would take and I also wanted to check out the Olgas / Kata Tjuta so we had headed for them. As it turned out we didn't make it to them as it was getting dark so we turned round and headed back to Curtin Springs where we'd decided to stay.

I'd decided through the night last night that the climb might be a bit too arduous for my knee when its already working hard with all the riding so I took a pic of Normie at the climb site, kissed him goodbye and headed for the Olgas. The ride out was a lovely one and they were worth the ride. The extra riding took my daily total to 630 kms and I have no desire to beat it.

We arrived back tired but satisfied with the day’s exploits and ready for another great dinner and some planning for tomorrow. Had our dinner talking to a couple from Newborough. Small world.
Last time we took the Mulga Park Road just east of Curtin Springs which heads south for a good distance then heads back to the Stuart Highway. Staff at Curtain Springs had told us it was a similar distance and as long as we didn't mind opening and closing gates instead of crossing cattle grids it would be fine. We have a photo of the sign on one gate clearly expressing frustration of the property owner it said 'SHUT THE BLOODY GATE'. Didn't see any of them today.

Talk to you tomorrow.



Curtin Springs Station Staff shirt.