Bush Camping

Bush Camping

• Lucy and Daniel took us away for 2 days to show us a couple of their favourite spots where they have camped. We had Arvi and they had their Hilux with the tent on top! 
• Fist stop was a coffee shop in town for a coffee and a snack we didn't need- nor the cakes I bought for afternoon tea! 
• We drove to Standley Chasm and walked down a path to the chasm of red rocks and boulders. Hats off to the elderly overweight gentleman who was pushing his wife in a wheel chair - we secretly breathed a sigh of relief when they made it to the chasm as Lucy and I had thoughts of heart attacks etc. 
• Wonderful cycads and other plant and trees along the way and a creek bed which was devoid of water but still very pretty. 
• Then drove to Glen Helen Lodge for another shop stop although this one had art work as well as coffee and cakes! Walked down to the lagoon and Daniel braved the icy water. 
• Then onto Redbank Gorge our stop for the night. The road into the camp site was dirt but said to be suitable for cars not just 4 wheel drives. Very corrugated so slow going and then 3 creek bed crossings (dry!) which were little scary! Did not want to get bogged in the soft sand or stuck in the rocks in the middle! Arvi made it through and there was a lot of cheering on my part. 
•  We set up camp on the top of the ridge looking over the the West McDonnell ranges- our first free camping! 
• Then off to the gorge with our bright pink floating ring and a black one as well! This time there were no excuses we had come to float down the gorge so just had to toughen up and get in that ring! Freezing our butts off does not explain the feeling of the icy water seeping into all the nooks and crannies! We floated along until met shallow water or rocky obstacles when we had to climb with the rings, warn up briefly and then get back in! The gorge was truly beautiful although we stopped a little short of the really narrow crevice due to numb blue hands and feet!   
• Lucy and Sally spied what they thought was a small dead snake in the water and then got the fright of their lives when it stated swimming at the same time as they got in the water. A lot of screams!
• Once back at camp Daniel and Mark went off to get firewood like true cavemen, Mark was very happy that his tomahawk would finally have a purpose but he couldn't find it! It was hidden at the bottom of the BBQ box! But it was found in time for the cheese platter!
• Lucy and Sally did something - it might have involved white wine! 
• Then the sunset - oh it was magic. The changing of the colours over the ranges as the sun got lower and then the final redness as it disappeared. 
• Time to eat - Daniel had bought viking steaks for the BBQ  and they were Fred Flintstone enormous! Delicious with a fresh salad and a nice bottle of red wine. 
• Stars came out and unlike Uluru when the full moon washed them out they were bright and in great numbers. We saw a falling star with a bright red flare as a tail and some unusual lights on the horizon which we discussed could have been UFO's! 
• Overnight a storm came in with strong winds- poor Lucy and Daniel didn't sleep too well with the flapping of their tent! The oldies were pretty comfortable in Arvi! 
• Quick pack up into morning due to threatening rain and luckily managed to be on our way as the rain came in. Put a bit of a damper on our planned 7km walk around Ormiston Pound so instead we did a smaller walk in our raincoats! 
• All good until we had to cross the river to get back. Found a part which was probably hip high and Mark decided to jump off the rocks to the safety of the opposite bank! Sally and Lucy thinking broken ankles!  Mark happy he made it. We though our shoes and back packs etc to him - sadly my gym pants which i gave Daniel to throw didn't quite make it and landed in the water! And he's  cricketer! 
• What the heck took of my top as well and got in the cold water and swam in my bras and undies! All alone in the gorge (well hoped there were no critters with me) and could admire the rocky walls from a unique vantage point. Pulling on wet gym pants when I got out was interesting! 
• Stopped at Ellery Big Hole for a look then home to Alice and another chance to hear Daniel sing at the Casino beer bar! 
• Great 2 days - thank you kiddly winks ie Lucy and Daniel.