Going Bush

Wednesday morning the day started yet again with misty rain.  We’d heard out west hadn’t had any rain so we were pleased to be heading in that direction. As always, Will was in holiday mode - at home he’s up and out the door in half an hour always by 7.00am and often earlier, but not when he’s on holidays!  Seems I’m the reverse, when I’m away I’m up early to blog, catch a sunrise or get ready to see what lies ahead, so I reminded myself to slow down and be grateful, and remember that ‘It will happen, just let it happen in its own time’. 

By about 10.30am we had the Patrol packed – tent, mattress, doona, b.b.q., plates, saucepans etc. and although it was a little cramped we were ready for our night under the stars.  We collected our Mereenie Loop pass which allows us to cross Aboriginal Land, completed a check of the tyres, found one quite low, and the day before there had been smoke or maybe mist from the exhaust which had Will a little unsettled, especially as a motor rebuild should have made this year’s trip mechanical issue free!

Just after 11.00am we were pulled up at Stanley Chasm, an unscheduled stop but one where we knew we could purchase clean water – seems our radiator issues from the first day of the trip had reappeared.  Bugger!  Anyway, a stock of water, a cup of tea, some radiator stop leak later and we were back on the road, although both a little anxious about heading into unknown territory with maybe a slightly dodgy vehicle. 

Next stop, Serpentine Gorge, as planned.  I left Will, who had mentioned he felt very lethargic, to check the vehicle while I wandered down to the gorge.  A beautiful water hole!  This seems to be the difference between the East and the West MacDonnell’s – water is much more frequent in the West.

We had our picnic lunch, Will replaced the water from the expansion bottle back into the radiator again and off we went.      

Next stop the Ochre Pits, only a 300m walk so Will joined me for this one. Amazing colours and I was pleased to see these as I’ve heard about how vital ochre was as an item to trade as well as how often it was used in art and ceremony. No reorganisation to the radiator this time.

Ormiston Gorge was the next sign post, Will gave me the ‘Are we stopping there too? look’, he received the ‘Sure are nod’, so in we went.  Just down the track a little a helicopter was parked in the river bed, hmm, seemed unusual.  As we got to the walking track to the gorge there was a sign ‘TV crew working ahead.  I thought to myself, ‘Thankfully they’re packing up, peace and quiet to enjoy the gorge’ and this was confirmed as we past a ‘crew’ member carrying a garbage bin up the steps.  Will said, ‘Do you recognise this guy?’ then said to the bloke, “Look out, Brax is in town!” to which the actor mumbled, ‘Yep, Brax is now doing community service as a garbo.’  Could you believe it, the one day we go to the gorge Will passes an actor from one of his favourite TV series? Bizarre! After a quiet climb through the gorge and a peaceful sit of about 10 minutes we wandered back to the kiosk for an ice-cream.  As so often happens, Will found a bird to feed and then we were ready to hit the road again – oh, except for the now routine issue of tipping the coolant from the expansion container back into the radiator.

Next stop, only 4kms up the road was Glen Helen Gorge.  A place to refuel, it was now 4pm and the next leg of the trip was to be the tricky part – The Mereenie Loop which can quickly turn to a four wheel drive track if the slightest bit of rain hits.  Whilst it is only 200km long it can sometimes take many hours to complete.  Will said ‘I’ve had enough, we’re not going any further today.’  I was wrapped – a camp in a quietish place, water flowing and now a guaranteed two nights in the West MacDonnell Ranges.  Wins all round, I thought!!

A go at setting up the tent was met with its usual results, swearing, frustration, tongue biting and ta da, a castle was built! OK, not quite a castle, more like a rickety structure, but hey, we are in the desert, it’s not windy, it doesn’t rain, she’ll be right mate.  I left Will with his drink to go and explore.  You could hear children laughing and playing in the creek, made me think of Moyhu, and parents saying, ‘Come on, time to get out’ with very little effect. The gorge was lovely, it was quiet and peaceful and I felt very grateful to be staying here for the night.

When I got back to camp Will headed to bed, it seems the lethargy he’d been feeling had turned into body aches and pains and a piercing headache!!  So a quiet night ensured for us both, he laid down, I read, photographed the sunset, cooked tea in the camp kitchen which Will then joined me for and we chatted to a lovely Indian lady and her mother.  Back to the tent for some more reading and a nights rest.