Bob Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Each "gap" in the Ranges usually meant there was a waterhole, which in the good years when there's been a fair bit of rainfall, leaves a good deal of water to swim in and enjoy. More important though, it's life saving water for the wildlife.In the dry years everything retreats to the remaining water holes and you can imagine the competition that puts on the wildlife.We drive on to Ellery Big Waterhole thro countryside that's had good rains this winter and looks as green as I've ever seen it. Usually this is getting towards the end of the long dry season and everything starts to look parched. This year all the plants are in bloom and the trees have a lustre that's remarkable for this time of year. A creek crossing with water flowing - a treat for me to see this!Ellery Big WaterholeIt's pretty cold, but great once you get out on a warm / hot day. This time of the year (Sept / Oct school holidays) is really good for the kidsWe both jumped in and swam thro the gap to the far side. I was buggered by the time I got back - unfit!There is camping facilities here at Ellery. It deserves a mention as a cheap alternative to the accomodation in town (Alice Springs). Here, it's around $7 a night for a family (mum, dad + up to 4 kids!)Now you don't have to sell one of your kids into slavery to have a good fortnight's holiday!this is a rig (caravan) like mine, but others have the wind-up Jaycos as in the previous photo, to the right, which services well for a family on a budget.You've got running water laid on at the tanks by the Information Office about 50 yards / 50 metres away . . . . You have to run and get it!The solar panels on the roof were impressive on the Info CentreThe fireplace. A bloke I spoke to having the wind-up Jayco caravan said he's sat around the fire the previous night with his sonThe whole area is clean and tidy with free gas barbies to use. You just toss your chops on!My wife is a flower fanatic. I'll be driving along the highway with a 2.5 ton 4WD towing a 2.4 ton caravan fully laden and I'll have to stop on a threepenny bit to take a picture of a flower in the bush she's seen!Anyhow . . . this is me, the closest I'm coming to "smell the roses"A desert roseMore photos tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jitterbug Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Thanks for this. Looks really great, cant wait to explore Aus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted September 29, 2010 Report Share Posted September 29, 2010 Hi Bob,Good to see your post and pictures...you are on the move again...love hearing about your travels...we are still in Emerald... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Hi Bob,Good to see your post and pictures...you are on the move again...love hearing about your travels...we are still in Emerald...Hi there, Jill!Yeah . . . we're on the move - again! - like a couple of old trekboers in their covered waggons, shifting from place to place.We've been over 18 months now "on the road" so to speak. Been living in our 18' caravan since we got back from England in early November and am looking forward to being in a house once again by Christmas. The room service goes on strike in this caravan, from time to time, with no coffee or bacon & eggs some mornings in bed! Shucks. Just goes to prove you can't get damn good room service nowadays.Anyhow . . . we're slowly meandering down south like migratory birds on the wing, back to Adelaide in a month or two, but it's still too cold down there just yet. I prefer 28 degrees each and every day with full sunshine and pleasant evenings for "happy hour" with the other campers to share a laugh with.If we were in Emerald in central Queensland, we'd have given you and your hubbie a phone call to pop in for a cold beer and some boerewors that we've been munching on occasionally during our travels.I hope both of you are still enjoying life there.Your turn to do the grey nomad lifestyle in a few years time, hey, with you hopefully picking up a tip of two for where to go and see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted September 30, 2010 Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Your photos are great, Bob. I would love to travel around Australia like you are doing, someday. So much to see and do. Lots to look forward to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted September 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2010 Your photos are great, Bob. I would love to travel around Australia like you are doing, someday. So much to see and do. Lots to look forward to!Thanks.Retirement lets me do all this travel.Retirement is something that will all do, but seldom plan for.In retirement, you can do all the things on your bucket list.You have to plan for it though.If you don't plan to retire, then you're setting yourself up to work until you drop.So . . . . plan to retire . . . and see Australia with all the other grey nomads some day.It's a great country and there's heaps to see and interesting places to get to and enjoy.Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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