Remote = expensive...boycotting the supermarkets

There is no denying how expensive it can be to live in a 'semi' remote outback town, and it seems that is becomes an excuse for lackadaisical service at best and shonky pricing at worst...I kid you not one of our local IGA, who I will name and shame later (when I am not so tired) actually sells no brand flour at $6 for 2 kilos!!!  anyhoo.  Today I had a brainwave.  I have felt like this a long time and in 'other lives' have managed to use my dollar to protest the 'big two' (in Australia that is Coles & Woollies) supermarkets taking over and destroying local business and farming...another rant another time, by shopping at independent stores.  Going back to the 'Butcher, Baker, Candlestick maker' grassroots of retail.  However, despite my best intentions, I cannot afford to sustain a family HAPPILY doing this, I popped in to the green grocers today..while fresh on my rampage, and while I admit they have lovely friendly service and fresh produce displays...I simply cannot afford $17 bucks for a hand of bananas, a bag of apples and 1/2 dozen pears.  I dont think my kids will care by the end of the week if the service was friendly if we are out of food....so it is a hard battle to cave in to.  BUT in my wisdom I decided to bake the kids lunches..thereby avoiding *or if I am feeling rather risque I might substitute that for BOYCOTT *the stupidmarkets this week for the school lunch routine. 
So it started off with me popping corn for recess snacks and accidentally overloading the pan and ending up with hysterical kids and greasy popcorn all over my (freshly cleaned) kitchen floor....

and ends up with a brain wave at about 10 pm...

mmm...nothing like late night baking for school lunches..what is that I hear you say..you had the day off and could have done it today? Well yes I could but then I would have no reason to trash my kichen late at night and risk red wine induced third degree burns, and theres no fun in that is there spoil sports...lol
The end result was even edible...and I SWEAR there was only 11 scrolls...

 

 

All this protesting has made me tired.. Good night, sleep tight :)

If this is winter....

This morning I woke late compared to 'school' days, and was relieved to see the sun already up and thawing the lands of the overnight frosts we have encountered lately.  I have been braving zero temps this week to get up and get organised, all in a house with no heating aside from a bar heater in the lounge, and vinyl tiled floors! 

Todd 'River'..lol, usually a dry sandy river bed

However, after pouring hot water on the windscreen to melt the ice and
getting the car to splutter to life each morning, once we wipe a space to see through the windscreen we have been surprised to see the sun peeping up above the ranges, promising another clear sunny day.  The temps have still hovered under the twenties but with that clear sunshine, I find I am peeling off the layers mid morning and forget all so quickly just how much the mornings bite!

Ambling along the scenic Todd River bed in town

Kmart proved to be a lifesaver for us as we had no idea just what we were in for...and if we listen to the old locals, probably still dont...there is afterall possibly a good reason there is ANTIFREEZE on our water pipes...sadly not just a practical joke by the Real Estate Agent...as we were hoping...
We armed ourselves with snuggly robes, cheap tracksuits for sleepwear and slippers and hot water bottles early on.  So far we have survived, and have even quite enjoyed the milder weather which makes biking and walking a pleasant activity not requiring a drip to rehydrate afterwards....

So this morning, while slurping on my 'wakeup' espresso and enjoying the morning sun on the patio, that is exactly what I decided we should do...

The kids set off on their bikes to 'town', a mere 3.7 km away ...as I trundled off after them on foot, trying to enjoy the scenery, the blue sky and the sun on my face all the while trying to keep them in eye sight....we headed off into the library to let the kids enjoy the unlimited downloads for an hour or so and then wandered on over to the 'Alice Plaza', a small shopping mall housing an eatery, several retail outlets and a small Target.  We enjoyed a milkshake and a good strong coffee from one of the cafe's there and headed home recharged and happy to have had some fresh air and exercise.

If this is winter....I will be a happy camper :)

Saturday night at the arcade...

Well, my lot just got back from 'disco night' at the Dustbowl...lol, it's the local bowling alley and arcade and they play 'disco' music (to which I unashamedly sang all the words lol, I lerve Rock n Roll....much to my children's horror!) and have flashing sparkly lights and along with the decor is very 70's, though not in that uber cool retro kinda way lol, more in line with the 'if it aint broke dont fix it' kind of endurance test some buildings go through.  Surprisingly the disco music did not put my game off lol, because anything could only make it better!  I lost 2 out of 2 games and have to endure my kids ribbing for the rest of the week no doubt....and I would like to be able to say that I threw the game off lol.

'Quality' time with the kids...lol

 

Anyway, it was a nice evening, despite missing hubby as he is working, and we hit the arcade for a few rounds of those old chesnuts, Daytona and some shooting galley type games, and I couldn't resist taking this photo & sending it to my Mum....as once we hit the arcade this is about the most I saw of the kids..until they 'needed' more coins that is.

The attached restaurant going by the salubrious name 'Red Tomato' which from the street looks like some kind of tacky bistro, is actually a delicious and well priced Indian/Asian Restaurant with a lovely courtyard setting, inside decorated in a contemporary Asian fusian style.  The service is fantastic and both times I have eaten there I have been delighted with my choices...and salivating at the other diners meals lol.  They also do wood fired pizzas with a pizza oven embedded in one wall along the restaurant.  With the lovely tableware and soft lighting, twinking fairy lights and bougainvillea in the courtyard it quite belies its kitsch streetfront signage.  You dont actually have to go into the bowling alley, its front door is adjacent, but you can order from a limited menu whie in the bowling alley if you wish.  With mains from $8-$14 you can't go wrong. AND it is licensed, need I say more?  Tonight though, sadly, we were too early, so we snacked on a bowl of fries instead.

The whole '223'..plans for trekking the Larapinta Trail

I am going to tackle the Larapinta Trail....

 

Australian Geographic image of the Larapinta Trail:

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/walking-the-larapinta-trail.htm

Okay so I will admit that post apocalyptic thoughts on this new ambition MIGHT possibly have something to do with my new espresso coffee....and I realise it is also a  tad ambitious, especially considering that this time last year I suffered a work related back injury which left me unable to walk without limping in agony for months.  However, there is (in my mind) nothing like an ambitious plan to spark ones sense of motivation. 

My Daughter and I have sketched plans to tick off a trip I have always wanted to take but never ventured for various reasons...I have wanted to 'do' the Overlander Track, a 6 day hike in the Tasmanian Cradle Valley since I was a teenager and with my new found walking ability....and lack of daily pain...we somewhat ambitiously have decided to attempt this in the next year as a Mother & Daughter team.  Given that our 'training' ground so far has led to heated arguments before even rounding the bend on our local bush walk of about 5 kms, I am not too sure of how the notorious weather changes, the difficulty of carrying packs and the perceived lack of food by my preteen will aid to a rewarding and bonding experience...but we are both still keen. 
http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/outdoor/view-image.htm?gid=6232&index=5

Researching this has led me to look closer to home for trekking experiences to 'build up' to the Overlander, and to give us opportunities to participate in mini challenges as a family.  I have 'discovered' that close to us, infact close enough to reach out and touch is a world reknowned bush walking paradise.  In the West 'Macs' as they are known, the ranges just out of Alice, is the Larapinta trail, a harshly beautful 223 kilometer multi day hike across this spectacular country.

But even my espresso isn't enough to fool me into deliriously believing this would be a possible or even enjoyable family pursuit....in one go.  BUT, the beauty, as I have discovered, is that this is one of the rare multi day hikes that gives the participant the option of where to start and end as it can be done in sections.  This is where the excitement begins.....lol ( I am yet to convince my husband)

I have plans to tackle the Larapinta trail in these sections...over the next year or so.
There are 12 to conquer, some involving overnight treks and camping, others involving a long day hike all varying in difficulty from easy to hard....over the next year or so.

There is a mountain (pardon the pun!) of information about this locally revered walk, which makes me wonder how I had never heard of it....so I will add to this post as I discover more.

Section #1 is the 23 kilometer track from The Telegraph station in Alice to Simpsons Gap, where I have no doubt I will be meeting the rest of my family for a picnic....my other half less inclined to outlandish crazy ambitious behaviour as I am....and cooks a mean barbie :)  SO visions of  hiking through red rock valleys underneath lovely blue winters skies and finishing up with a sunset view of the surrounding hills .....a  glass of chilled chardy awaiting me, fill me with joy in the meantime (and will no doubt keep me going on the track once the novelty wears off and I am tired of talking to myself).  I hope to do this for my 40th (early September) as a kind of 'I am not too old to do this' milestone...and at the moment am walking 5km trails nearby my house 'in training'....

Wish me luck!

A Rose between the thorns...

Unlikely find at work.....a beautiful rose at a cottage in the desert

This week has been a really difficult week for me with regards to work.  On the one hand I love my 'office' which is spent mostly driving remote roads to visit clients in outstation communities...but this week was really disjointed....we had excess appointments and not enough staff, we had a lot of clients fall ill due to the cold snap and to top it off we also 'lost' clients in town...which meant they got sick of waiting at Congress, the indigenous health centre in town, and then went 'walkabout' instead.  I am sure our clients think it is funny how we worry about them when they have managed to get in and out from their communities all their lives and dossed down in town camps at 'families' houses or in the river when rides didnt turn up or the drivers changed plans...but we do, of course.  Especially as the people we look after quite often have dementia or other disabilities which changes their ability to look after themselves as they used to do. It can be quite a frustrating exercise when nobody, including their own family, sense our urgency in locating the people in question.

BUT invariably, we do find them, in the most likely places...often in front of the shops frequented by Indigenous out of towners, IGA North or 'Hoppy's' or at Piggleys shop at the Gap...or one of the town camps inhabitants gives us clues and points us in the right direction. 

I was so fed up I actually rang my husband in exasperation, and asked him if there was a possibility of him doing more over time....lol.  I think I just wanted to share my sense of frustration.

I was all set to in my mind to pull the pin, had already concocted a new life in an 'easy' admin job, with a structured life (I would hate but thats not the point) and one with routines that work out.

And after all that saga, I got back to work and then had to go and do what we would call a 'health and wellbeing' check on an elderly gentleman.  I hadnt had a lunch break, let alone a drink or even a pee stop since 9am and it was damn near 3, the time I pick the kids up...so this didn't help to allay my 'alternative' life plans....

But then I called in to check on my old 'bushy'.  Who has been in so much pain lately has been virtually incapacitated....partly due to the cold weather, and has been quite depressed.  And I saw a twinkle in his eye and was so happy to see him working on a new project, one in which he is building from scratch a model of a cattle station he once worked on...and found him sitting in the sun of his little flat, whittling the soon to be 'fence' posts from large matches and paddle pop sticks, finally making 'good' use of the expensive high back chair we organised for him...he had the base board clamped to its arm rests....and I had to chuckle to myself.  I pictured the Occupational Therapist balking at him not putting the equipment to proper use to 'improve his mobility' ....he had rejected the equipment as accepting would have been a self disclosure of not coping on his own terms.  So, despite the obvious misuse, it was a wonderful sight, to see him taking back his independence in his own terms.  You can take the bloke out of the bush but you cant take the 'bushy' out of the bloke. 

After a chat and a laugh, I got in my car just in time to pick up my kids from school, feeling as though the weight of the world had lifted off my shoulders again, and the strain against time I had felt all week...gone.   That one rewarding visit put the skip back into my stride again and renewed my passion.

Amazing isn't it how something seemingly so small can renew your sense of self and purpose.

You see, I have this theory that your work should be rewarding and give you a sense of self.  And that life is too short to compromise on this, if you find it too hard to get out of bed and get ready for your day...its time to find a new job or at least make some changes. 

Hope you have had a rewarding week!

Reflections on our desert dwelling....

SO, this post is going to be a bit random, I know, you weren't expecting such a twist from my straight shooting self....anyhoo

As we approach the 6 month mark of our Outback Adventure...there is a myriad of events and random bits and bobs that we have done and seen since being here.  A lot of the time I forget to take photos or even to blog about certain events, but the following collage of pics is a round up of our last few months here as we settle in and enjoy our new life.

Big Bird...random suprise in a back alley on one of our bike rides...What The Hey ???

We haven't had the time to venture out nearly as much as we would have liked, but as I was completing the boring weekend jobs like washing the sheets, cleaning our rooms & making the school sandwiches for the week to freeze while my daughter made carrot and cinnamon muffins for  snacks...I realised we have acheived something which is better than exploration....just!  I noticed that we were enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon together just BEING.  The kids have been co-operative for the most part (and I will not LIE here and say I have not had to threaten to pull the playstation out of the wall a few times to simmer down some sibling rivalry) and while 'Just shoot him in the legs' is not the vernacular I envisaged enjoying hearing as I held my newborn babes in arms for the first time....at least they are HAPPY, they are CO-OPERATING & for the most part they are ENJOYING each others company.  What a win!

Backyard camping...we were too wussy to go for the real thing, with temps as low as 1 degrees in the morning at the moment, so next best thing....roasting marshmallows in our fire pit...yummm!

Another sign of settling in and enjoying life is my shy older babe has decided to try a couple of new sports this summer, this small disclosure has made my heart sing! My kids love school, we all love work and we both have family friendly hours.  We are organising some family camping trips with new friends which we are really looking forward to.  I am enjoying daily life instead of feeling suffocated by it and loving the moments when I am plodding along happily with the sunshine on my face and then realise I am not bogged down in thought ....and I especially love it when the strange, bizarre central Australian sense of humour peeks its nose into our daily business and gives us a good chuckle. 

Beanie festival...at about $90 a pop they were out of my league but wow, some talent!

 

 

Finke Desert Race, dust dust and more dust but lots of fun watching these crazy endurance riders...next year will set up camp, and eat more dust lol

 

In the last few months we have done more together than in the years preceeding our move.  Things are just easier here.  The facilities are good, the distances (or lack of them lol) make it easier to get out and about, and the powers that be make things accessible by keeping the costs to events low and ensuring they are family friendly. We have had the opportunity to check out some unique events such as the Beanie festival (a strange but fitting tribute to the wonderful arthouse scene here), the Finke Desert race, the Camel Cup and some of the many wonderful inclusive initiatives in Alice.  We have plenty more on the horizon and looking forward to them all!

   

Birdy Bunting...this was just beautiful, saw this on my way to work one morning and their happy song made my heart sing for the day :)

The wolves are still baying a the door (or should I be colloquial and insert Dingoes here?) and we throw scraps out every now and then to distract them...while we make some life changing decisions....but we are realising that we have more options now, and this leads to freedom and happiness.  The path we are heading down may not be the one we started on but it has proven to be a journey worth taking so far.  I am not sure where it is going, but the scenery is great and there is nothing better than a happy family.

I guess the best things in life really are free.
x

LINKS for your information....

Hi...just so you know, and I have to be honest...I am generally NOT known for my organisational skills. Infact I am reknowned among family and friends for always being late, even when I TRY to be early, for losing my purse (then often finding it in my bag...) misplacing my keys or turning up at the wrong place for key events, somehow deciding that relying on my sketchy memory would be better than writing it down on a calendar *pffft* WHOA...calendars and keyhooks?? ..they're for KARAZAY people! 

BUT in an effort to actually assist anyone who is looking to venture to this part of the world, I will add links and snippets of info to this list so it will APPEAR to be an organised minefield of travel info. 
BELLY LAUGHS, Oh dear I have tears rolling down my cheeks. 
But sincerely, the information here may save you a lot of google time, & as I am already playing here I will share :)
Work your way through these links and I guarantee you will be salivating for an outback adventure!

PS.  If there is anything you need to know specifically or you would like local tourist info stuff please drop me a line I will happily (attempt) to help. 

LINKS & TIPS:

ULURU
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/explore/getting-here.html
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/explore/walks-uluru.html
http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/sounds-of-silence/?gclid=CLTZwImlv7gCFcYipQodATIAnw
http://www.uluru-australia.com/uluru-accommodation/camping-at-ayers-rock/
http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/arrcamp/xlink23/pricing/


KINGS CANYON.....if you have time, Uluru is king but Kings Canyon is like an ancient secret you will be so pleased you made the effort, it will stay with you...its been over 20 years for me and I cant wait to get back.
http://www.kingscanyonresort.com.au/
http://www.ntsearch.com.au/kings-canyon/
http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/parks/find/alice-springs-region/watarrka


LARAPINTA TRAIL...ok, a bit ambitious at 223kms, BUT lots of info about the individual sections for camping and hiking etc here too!
http://www.larapintatrail.com.au/
http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/parks/walks/larapinta
http://www.treklarapinta.com.au/


ALICE SPRINGS TOWN AREA
http://www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au/tourism/tourism
http://www.travelnt.com//alice-springs-and-surrounds/travel-information/visitor-information-centres.aspx?ForceRedirect=1
http://www.tourism.thealice.com.au/around-the-alice.html
http://www.australia.com/explore/cities/alice-springs.aspx


EVENTS
http://www.beaniefest.org/
http://www.finkedesertrace.com.au/
http://mbantuafestival.com.au/
http://www.toddmallmarkets.com.au/

Uluru Dreaming...

Good Morning!
I have woken to a crisp 1-2 degrees, and after enjoying yesterdays sunshine in my tanktop...realised we are getting TOUGH.  It maxed out at 16 degrees yesterday!  I am thinking I am one tuff mudder lol. 
Anyway, wanted to share as I am very excited....just found out my parents will be here for nearly 3 weeks over Christmas!!
 *WOOHOO & HAPPY DANCE* 
We are close and I would hate to spend Christmas apart again especially with the kids.  We had a lovely Christmas with the inlaws last year and while it was lots of fun and I love catching up with them, it isnt the same as your own family Christmas...you know the little things you do that are unique to your family?  ....some of which 'outsiders' just dont get? lol.  Well we may be just crazy but we have a few....poor hubby he must sit there and roll his eyes a lot lol!

As a special extra we have decided to use a few days in between my hubby's Christmas Roster to go and check out Uluru! 

It quite possibly could be the worst time of the year, it will be searing with heat and flies, the earth will be baked and brown but you know what the best part of going somewhere out of season....NO CROWDS.  So, not sure if we will be having a bush BBQ for actual Chrissy lunch or heading out there a few days later, not even sure if we are tough enough to brave camping in those regular 40 plus temps...but I DO know there WILL be a pool, even if I have to take along a blow up!

.......and most importantly we will be able to take in the majestic, deeply spiritual splendour of Uluru together.

PS. The pic isn't one of mine but it is spectacular and thought it might be inspiring for some of you, you can check out more gorgeous pics & practival info here: http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/

I will share our planning tips and trip report here aswell.  It is still about a four hour drive from here...but when planning from interstate or overseas it is a lot harder to factor in.  Many people only discover how far it is when they get to Alice and realise with disappointment that it is not really a viable day trip from here.

I am now looking at the walks in the area and will get to tick something off my (ever expanding) wish list...I have wanted to attend a Sounds of Silence Dinner since, well, forever.  I recall being offered a chance to take this when I first became a travel agent a lifetime ago...but turned it down in favour of a trip to Bali.....was still fantastic experience, and a first world problem I am aware lol, but it has been niggling at my mind ever since.  I havent heard any bad reviews, so would love to do this as a special treat for my family while there but at $185 a pop it is a bit out of my price range...so now looking at how we can reinvent our own Sounds of Silence for Xmas dinner in the outback.  Here we come Pinterest!  lol...any excuse! I am thinking the luxury of beautifully set tables with candles would be easy enough to acheive...some good wine...& the sunset & good company are free. 

Happy Dreaming to you on your (hopefully) lazy Sunday x

Camels...hideously cute beasts

I have been out and about a bit in between bouts of work  lately (sounds like an illness getting in the way of fun which it is really lol) and one of the events we enjoyed is the spectacle of the Camel Cup.  I dont think we did it justice, and intend to come again next year with a picnic set up and really make a day of it with bunch of friends.  As it was we made the most of the afternoon once I had finished work at midday and met a friend there. 
I have to be honest here and smack my own hand in public. 
You see....I was feeling a bit overwhelmed financially....so after reading it was a $17 entry fee for adults and $5 for children under 12 I decided ;quite unethically I am not proud to admit; to force my oldest to pretend she was 11.  *GULP* the reality of this simple deceipt set in as my DS8 expressed his horror at my actions as we strolled up to the gate.  Our conversation went along these lines.... 'But MUM, she is 12 NOT 11.' 'Don't you worry about it'. Son *SIGH*, Mum *guilt creeping up spine*, 'But MUM, you know I have learnt NEVER to lie'.  Mum (and in my proudest moment...NOT) 'YOU dont have to lie, infact YOU don't have to say anything at all!'. 
*Kicks dust*
*sigh*
*dammit* we will just have toasted sandwiches for dinner, I cant do this. 
We approached the gate with trepidation, neither party knew what was going to happen. Sideways glances happened....I got sweaty palms.  THEN  I did the honorable thing, I accepted my fate as a Mother who is Trying to do my best.  But often fails....
'One adult, a 12 year old and an 8 year old'.  I hand over $40.  Only to get a blank look, and then a kind smile, a slight of hand wave and a generous Central Australian twang, 'Nah love, the kids can come in free'.
So, trumped by the short one, but reinforcing to myself and my kids (hopefully this is the message they received anyway!!) that it DOES pay to do the right thing. 
I was impressed with the kids facilities.  I gave my kids the promised $10 bucks to do whatever with, and my son flew off in the direction of the jumping castle...I was expecting him back within 20 minutes asking for more money (not a possibility) and the ensuing fight...but he took so long I went to investigate.  He was absorbed by the (free) animal enclosure and luckily for me he advised me that the 'Llamas' ( Alpacas) were not for sale.  Yes he had asked lol.  Can just see my Rental Agent being thrilled about that addition.
The crowd was eclectic as usual and there were some hilarious albeit not politically correct groups of guys walking around dressed up as the original Camel herders, some apparently Arabian princesses and a devil or two strolling around enjoying the spectacle they provided.
The Camels themselves.  Oh how I love Camels.  LOL.  In my travels to India I came to really appreciate the true guts and determination of camels, their hardworking nature and most importantly their attitude.   You've got to tip your hat to the Camel.  You see nobody ever really breaks a camel...first chance they get they'd knee you in the face then spit on you. attitude from hell with beautiful long eyelashes which make them almost cute lol
They do this thing, kind of between a growl, snort and snarl, god I wish I could play my rendition of it for you, might make you giggle like my kids do....and when I fist came through this region I rode one and was intimidated on mounting as 'my' girl Daisy did this snarl, 'Oh she is just saying hello' said the tour operator.  I KNOW for a FACT that is NOT what she was saying. NOT even close lol.
I cant write what I DO know she was saying, but you get the gist!  It was a fun bumpy ride and she stopped several times to leave me hanging in my 'saddle vertically facing the ground several feet up while she nibbled on dandelions.  I shrieked so much that several of my Japanese tour cohorts offered up their tickets to the guide to KEEP ME ON.  Apparently so they could take photos of the hilarious Aussie wetting herself.  I have since recovered lol, and developed a healthy respect for these amazing animals.  I *wish* I had not accidentally left my camera at home and and been able take pics of the feats these beasts acheived in India. Often hauling what looked like a Lorry full of cargo.  but at least I remembered my passport that time!

Ok, slightly off topic but it is Saturday night so stay with me....

In our line up to get my daughters icecream, we MISSED the main race.  Which I find slightly hilarious, it kind of runs in my family.  You know how you always go to that place on holidays you have been looking forward to and it is CLOSED for maintenance.  Or something is lame and you hear 'you should have been here yesterday' lol.  So I have long since accepted my fate with this, and luckily the kids agreed that once you've seen once Camel race you have 'kinda' seen them all.  So I leave you with my solo pic of possibly the bravest jockeys in the Southern Hemisphere.

PS. We enjoyed our toasted sandwiches for tea :)

Loving the winter sunshine!

What a splendid lazy start to the weekend! Loving this winter sunshine!!  I love long walks with the pooch in the winter sunshine...here's my sneaky 'bushwalk' 5 minutes from home...wallabies, lots of birds and lizards and eeeek sometimes dingoes....true story *eeek* I keep a pocket full of gravel to pelt just incase, not sure this really works, its what a local told me to do...but it sure makes me feel better.  As I walked along the rocky path, which incidentally is just a few meters to the left of the actual path we often ride on....you feel miles away, disconnected from the 'busy'ness of the world, you can no longer hear the humdrum of peoples homelife and the cars whooshing by...but instead you hear the Kites calling as they fly above (sorry my prowess was not fast enough to catch those! working on it...!!!) and many other birds singing in the sunshine, you see tiny lizards scampering off at the sound of your footfall and you can see lots of different footprints in the sand telling a story of the secret life of local wildlife.  I love that it is less than 5 minutes stroll from home yet I feel like I have been on an adventure.  My pooch loves it too, she sniffs and investigates and gently nudges the wildgrass to investigate its smells and possible critters at home.  Most of all we love the sunshine warming our backs and kissing our faces. I love that I return feeling refreshed and happy and ready to tackel what it is that 'life' throws at us again.  Just look at all that fabulous blue will you!

 

Today went too fast but lots of fun...My son had a skateboarding workshop on (which by the way is a wonderful inclusive event here & I am very impressed, will have to blog about this another time) so my daughter & I walked into 'town' to enjoy some chicky chat and a coffee/hot choc in one of the cafe's....later we all went for a bikeride around the burbs in the sunshine, then I took the pooch for the above mentioned 'hike'...the kids killed several hundred zombies (dont ask!) while I *ahem* tended to some 'home' maintenance...feeling good, now enjoying a tall G&T with a splash of fresh pink grapefruit juice...hey, no lemons and its still a citrus! My hubby working till 8 then hopefully will veg on the couch together watching something better than his last pick 'Cockneys v's Zombies' (I kid you not, and perhaps you can see where this zombie thing is coming from lol). Happy weekend to you all x

 

Interesting read...

Just thought I would share this great website I came across tonight while reading about linguistics in the Centre (..did I hear someone say Geek??)  I am trying to organise my own communication board of sorts as I cant seem to find anything like this in my work place or online.  Short of taking a course- which I am interested in...but dont have the time to make such a commitment after hours at the moment- and wanting to communicate better with some of my outstation clients, I thought this might be the best option...or at least a starting point.  It has occurred to me that throughout my travels I have always come at least prepared with a few basic words and phrases, if for no reason other than to at least demonstrate my respect...and yet I am unprepared here. 

Picture from the Araluen Art Centre's amazing outdoor sculpture...

 

 

Anyway, after stumbling upon this site I realise it is a wealth of information for the area and may be of interest to anyone wanting to benefit from a richer travelling experience in this region.
http://www.clc.org.au/articles/cat/Sacred-sites-and-objects/

The 'essence' of Alice...

Today I confess I had a lazy day.  I started with a delicious sleep in until 8.30 (yes, clearly I have squids!) and then a quick snuggle with the husband when he got home from night duty....before being torn out of the covers by two hungry kids.....and then proceeded to explode porridge throughout the microwave and kitchen...dont ask, but be aware, it can be done!

I was really looking forward to today as I was catching up with a friend who I haven't seen in a few weeks & we decided to try out Page 27 Cafe...I had read good things about it here in the very entertaining blog Not quite Nigella and wanted to give it a go.  I wasnt disappointed.   It is down a side alley off Todd Mall and it has an almost  atrium feel to it as you lose yourself down the laneway filled with pot plants .... and I loved the quirky almost Melbournian atmosphere of the cafe, the mismatching retro tables and chairs and the coffee was G.O.O.D!  and the food, well I didnt eat today but let me tell you I am STILL thinking about the Eggs Benedict I sauntered past when I went to order our second cup...or maybe I will have to try the mountainous plate of fresh tomato and basil bruschetta I spied on my way back....decisions decisions.  I decided at that point that I will make it my quest to try out all the cafes in town and rank them in order of a) coffee that puts hair on your chest & b) atmosphere.  Call it a coffee bean challenge lol

I love how the businesses here embrace community endeavours...& lets just call this next one an action shot.....I was trying to sneakily take a shot of the laneway and got caught.  Probably close to how I was seeing out of my eyes before my coffee lol

 

 

But I digress. Seeing a pattern here anyone? lol just wait til you get to know me. s.c.a.t.t.e.r.e.d

My friend & I were discussing the wonderful essence of Alice Springs, both being relatively new here...having moved at the start of the year.  Both of us work in Community Services of sorts, but in different capacities.  We have both noticed an overwhelming majority of women in this community and we came to the conclusion that this is the crux of the liberal and tolerant feel of this place, the almost hippy vibe it gives off must be also due to the high proportion of bleeding hearts in the town at any given time.  It seems every second person you meet is a Social Worker or Community Worker.  We chatted about the intervention and social and cultural issues and how we now feel about them after being here for a wee bit and our eyes not bulging quite as much.  A little grittier you might say. 

I will not go into detail just yet about the prevalence of social issues here, however I will say that perception is reality.  My reaction when we rolled into town and stumbled through drunks to get into the airconditioned plaza and get our bearings was of shock....yet I have lived and worked in the Territory for nearly two decades on and off.  My kids on the other hand commented that it was lovely how so many people were sitting under trees Meditating.  And I remember thinking Who am I to ruin their eyes?  In my capacity of a support worker in the community I have since come to understand that there was a funeral on that day for a much loved & respected person in the indigenous community which accounts for the numbers and also possibly the innebriation.  I will say though, that we did not experience and still have not experienced any negative behaviours directed to us.  And we feel safe.  A little sad sometimes, but safe.  Alice is a place where you really get to practise what you preach and my friend and I agree that teaching our children tolerance and embracing diversity is the only real way forward. 

Culturally Alice is a rich tapestry, and it is quite amazing to see such diversity in such a comparatively small community.  The tolerance and acceptance of cultural differences here is on the whole humbling and inspiring  This and the transient nature of the Territory in general gives it a fresh vibrant feel.  The work is here in abundance and you could literally walk into any job you imagine....and this is even more true in any Human Service/Community positions.  The potential for career development is huge, and employers are open to providing training opportunities.  With a transient town comes a buyers market when it comes to jobs.  With so many jobs Alice boasts a kind of humble affluence. People here aren't flashy, yet many of us openly admit to acheiving our best earning potential here.  And there is no shame in openly admitting that you fell on your bum and largely came here under duress.  They will laugh it off in good nature....because that is the nature of the beast.  They also know the powerful forces at play here which will see many of us never leave....I will be interested to see who of my friends and colleagues are still here when our 'time is up'.

Alice still has that Frontier feel to it, a bit like an old spaghetti western, and you can really sense that bubbling excitement of travellers who are here to explore its delights.  And while I think that the gifts of nature in this region are stunning, the true riches of this community are its people....to sum them up I would say open, friendly & welcoming. 

And there it is.  The essence of Alice as  understood so far by me.  Told you that coffee was G.O.O.D lol. 

Rainy Day rambles....



Desert Jewels

Well todays promise of exploration was almost halted....but a delicious sleep in and then a quick rethink and we were off.  First stop....a cafe for a much needed charge up.  Then some mace to break up the siblings (probably should have bypassed the sugar laden milkshakes). Then...as the rain eased, we headed out to the edge of town to visit Flynn's memorium...I have driven past this nearly every day since I got here when visiting clients out of town and now finally have paid tribute to a great man (he was the founder of the Royal Flying Doctors service).  Interestingly, the great stone on top was originally taken (some may say misappropriated...) from the Devils marbles or Karlu Karlu....the ancestors of this region were highly offended and rightly so...they lobbied for the return of their sacred rock and finally won.  This rock is an offering of from the local Arrente (pronounced Arrunda) people.  Dont ask me what year lol.  I read this in a random snippet at the library.  Told you, Geek.
Here is some more info if you are interested: http://www.nt.gov.au/westmacs/places/flynns-grave

If the clouds had not been threatening to break open at any given moment we may have gone for a hike....but this gave the motivation to go and check out the small but informative Central Australian Museum.  Okay, I will admit here to being a bit of a history buff and LOVE museums, I love the look, the way you can be transported to another time, another place, god, I even love the smell.  I have always loved museums and in my great nerdiness I also hope to visit some of the biggest in the world.  Incidentally, this may be one of the smallest lol.  But it was still interesting and fun. 

We then returned to town to amble through Todd mall on our way to the library for some quiet reading time for us all.  Well, for me anyway...I read all the magazines I cant be bothered buying, and dream as I leaf my way through several Lonely Planets (and become self conscious of sighing loudly)....the kids play computer games and watch videos of skateboarding tricks lol.  But all in our own zen zones.  Hope you like the pics x

 

Flynn's Grave

Yeee Haaaw!  Howdy Cowdy...secretly wanting a pair lol

 

SNAP!  OMG, imagine the size of this beast!

 

 

A long way from anywhere.....

PS.  *disclaimer* I swear I did not secretly plot to booby trap that crocs head a la cartoon style with a string...SNAP!  ba ha ha.  And then realise that it would be a bit tricky to replace as it was apparently 1.5 million years old...... (and yet the cynic in me says surely another mould cant be too hard to rustle up)

Desert Irony...

When we arrived in Alice late January, it was a week of 40 plus temperatures which knocked the socks off us literally (it had been raining and we left on a flood watch in NSW).   It also proved to be a good reminder that organising a rental interstate is not always the best decision...we dont have aircon *insert audible GASP here* we have only an ancient 'swampy' or evaporative cooler in the roof...which spits rust when turned on and doesnt always even do that much.  This despite being assured in several emails that indeed we do, and also ceiling fans in every room....well the lounge is large but it is not every room.  SO, we made do....by having lots of cold drinks, wet flannels and drawing the blinds to keep the sun out.  It worked, well we survived but not sure I want to do it again.....

That week we made best friends with the pool attendants at the local swimming centre, and we also rediscovered that sardonic NT humour, or what we now have dubiously titled 'desert irony'.  A well meaning (I like to think) local mentioned the swimming hole at Simpsons Gap.  SO, being a short drive we packed a rustled up a small picnic and cool drinks and headed out ready for some splashing....only to find this and my sweaty, irritable children at this point did not at all see why my husband and I started to giggle slightly hysterically....

 
We somewhat wisely did not endure 3rd degree burns attempting to make 'creek sand angels'.  And the kids got over it and found their own fun.  Rocks to climb and puddles to splash = lots of fun.  So the day was saved and having gotten over our initial disappointment at not being able to swim (yes I am still sitting here chuckling to myself at our gullible selves lol) we had a lovely day and it is really a beautiful place.  There was indeed some water after all in the crevices...and even ducks, which given the stark baked land all around us I found quite amazing. 

For more info have a look a this link, just so I dont lead YOU up the garden path...
http://www.nt.gov.au/westmacs/places/simpsons-gap

 

 

 

 

My 'office'.  Pictures of a wild brumby at Jay creek & the Community turnoff on the Tanami Track

 

 

I think I might just have to pinch myself.  I found my true calling in Alice Springs....  I am a Community Support Worker.  I am blessed to be able to share in my clients lives and hope I am somewhat helpful to them in return.  I cant believe after all my tears at having to give up nursing that it took me this long in life to find my true calling,  the perfect job for a big fat bleeding heart lol.  And this is my office.  I hope you enjoy your job as much as I do xx

I simply must get myself a decent camera.....not sure where to start but please endure these mobile pics for the meantime.  They dont even get close to capturing the beauty of the landscape we drove through on the weekend to Ormiston Gorge.  This is Namatjira country.  I have stared at and loved one his paintings since I was a little girl.  My Grandma, such an enigmatic woman, had an original painting of his, it was only small, and I am not even sure of how she came to have such a work of art as I am sure she had never been to Central Australia.  But she was full of wonderful stories waiting to be told.  I only wish I was old enough to hear them then, and had given more time to hear them when I was a teenager, before she left us.  But I digress.  That picture was amazing.  So subtle yet so full of life and colour.  I loved it.  Then driving through this countryside on the weekend my eyes were wide with excitement.  Ever corner we turned offered a new jewel to behold.  I couldnt possibly capture it's essence.  I wish I was artistic.  I wish I could paint, or draw...or even take a decent photograph.  I am working on it lol.  But here is the best I have.  I love the clarity of the sky and how those mountains in the background look almost superimposed on the landscape.  As we rounded the bend where this beauty revealed itself it took my breath away. 
I cant help thinking that painting has something to do with why we are here....

Rock-Wallabies at the Gap.  A wonderful free event you can attend any night of the week when visiting Alice.  Food pellets for sale at $1 a bag.  The joy on my kids faces says it all, it was magical to be so close to such endearing little guys who simply loved the attention...and are wild animals and free to come and go.  Awesome!

For more info: http://www.auroraresorts.com.au/it-it/attractions/handfeedrockwallabiesalicesprings.aspx

 

Just Gorgeous...pardon the pun!

 

Last weekend was pure bliss...and it was something of an anomoly for us as a family.  we had the weekend off.  Together.  And it was Magic!

We explored Ormiston Gorge together...we walked and sang and played and just absorbed privately the surrounding beauty of the ochre coloured walls and the azure blue sky.  We ate our picnic of salad sandwiches and winter fresh mandarins and chatted to the cheeky magpies that hopefully darted in between our legs trying to find crumbs.  We made it home in time for a special treat...rock wallaby feeding at sunset at the Gap.  The kids beamed with delight at the close encounter with such delightful teddy bear like creatures.  They held their hands with their little chubby paws and nibbled the food out of their palms greedily.  I looked over to my husband and we shared a moment.  Our family felt really connected....& it made me realise what we had been missing all these years, and how it was meant to be.

 

You see, like many others we have been through a sort of hell in the last few years and realised sadly that if we stayed and clung to the dream that was not to be, we would lose so much more than our finances.  Our long dreamed of 'treechange' went horribly wrong.  It was so close and yet so far....we would work and work and work at it but it still didnt fit.  It was like trying to push a square peg into a round hole.  Things kept going wrong.  I suffered a back injury at work and hubby's job contract at the uni came to an end and he was not even formally advised...just a whisper on the grapevine.....and it hurt like hell.   We fell into a black hole and it felt like we were all slowly being pulled apart.  What the hell were we going to do...this droned on and on in our minds like an evil mantra, consuming our every thought and taking over our precious family time.  The black dog ended up eating our cheque book and left us with all the bills, and he barked at the kids.  We growled at each other.  It was a horrible, scary, bleak time...and I never want to revisit it.

But one rare night while we enjoying each others company over a glass of wine, we managed to move past that ugly defeating mantra and we shared our innermost scary thoughts with each other.  Then we cried, we hugged and then when the tears slowed we dared to dream together again.

 

You know when you have that AHA moment, where suddenly everything is clarified?  Well, we realised our dream wasn't our dream at all.  Nice as it was, we finally came to admit that the conventional life was not for us and we began to embrace our inner Gypsies and dreamt of heading off around Australia with the kids.  But we hadn't won lotto...and so it was not to be.  I am not sure about you but I have a lot of faith in Mother Universe and while I am prone to forgetting and fits of anxiety (ok ok.... bordering hysteria) as we handle the daily battleground...a few months later she answered us.  Hubby had been offered his dream job.....in Alice Springs. 

*SCREEEEEECH* tyres halting. 

Hold up there Buddy...WHAT THE HELL?  But Hubby had a few words to say too, hadn't we both pored over the pictures and dreamed of exploring the outback together as a family?  Sure sure, but I thought we were going to be footloose and fancy free..and what about my family...are all within Cooee here now, and we are so close.  I cant imagine living without them.  BUT he countered with a low blow.  We aren't really living.  My heart ached.  I couldn't argue.  Stay and continue to fight this losing battle...or regroup and take a family adventure together...give ourselves time to heal and listen to our hearts.  Time to absorb the ageless beauty of the Central Australian Outback. 

A few short days in between and I was sold.

The kids.....lets just say were less than enthusiastic, "we're not moving to the Desert!!!"

And so we began the hard sell.

And then even I began to get excited about the idea...and started hunting for information about the area.  There wasn't much and most of it left me wondering desperately if we were mad moving our family to such a 'wild' and 'dangerous' town. 

And then the crushing moment when I broke the news to my parents...my Mum still healing from emergency heart surgery a few months before....and I am sure we both felt that karate blow to the chest as we looked into each others eyes and realised there was no other answer.

 

But...fast forward to today, we have lived here for 4 months and while I am homesick for family (and the beaches in Mid North Coast NSW) I know after moments like the past weekend that we are where we need to be.  So please join us on our healing journey, I will share what I learn as we travel through this beautiful country...