3.7.18 Alice Springs to John Hayes Rockhole

I was up early to shower, pack up, get fuel and car to True  Track Tyres for two new shoes and alignment by 8.00. Then breaky of Rhubarb Porridge at our new fave spot - Uccello with Mary and Phil.

Rhubarb porridge with an ‘industrial’ pot of tea.

3 porridge’s and 3 pots of tea. They had broken 2 pots
yesterday so mine was a milk jug.

Wandering around town while waiting for car.
A mural on back of Coles. 

And a bit more.

Once the car was done and we all met up, it was off to venture into the 'Gaps' in the MacDonnell Ranges just out of Alice Springs. 

Emily Gap

Emily’s Gap

Grasses neatly spaced in the rock 

Rock

Our Second Gap - Jessie’s 

There wasn't a lot of wildlife.

The rocks at the gap. 

Rock and tree. 

Tree and Rock

Pock marks in the tree. Damage from water
flowing through the gap...maybe???

A flowering plant 

From Jessie’s Gap we went off road onto Numery Rd out to Binns Track.  

Binn’s Track.

 This led to N’Dhala Gorge where we had lunch and did a walk. Ran into Wendy Inman (Assistant Principal at Mirboo North PS) 

Entering N'Dhala Gorge.

Reve showing us how to do this at 85.

Some of the Aboriginal Rock Art

Fabulous fingers

Views along the Gorge. 

Undoolya Wattle. 

A cool web which caught the sunlight.
Two steps later you couldn’t see it.

Between a rock and hard place. 

amazing erosion.

Smooth and curved faces. 

Sharp lines and angles.  

Curves even. 

Looking up the gorge beyond the end of walking track. 

A bubble in the rock. 

The Davey's framed by rock. 

Puts things in perspective. 

rocks. 

Shadow play. 

Back out onto the Blacktop and off towards Trephina Gorge, where we decided to head for John Hayes Rockhole - well Stef/Milani, Col/Greg and I headed in to check for campsites while those who could collect wood did - Steve/Sarah/Reve and Mary/Phil. We chose Jack Hayes as it was suitable for high clearance 4wd vehicles only and we would have had less competition. Anyway we fitted in and used the fire pit again as the two at the campground were taken. 

Next stop. 

We pondered which campground to aim for. John Hayes won the day. 

Nibbles time. 

Fire pit going here.

The gangs all here and the fire is blazing. All good 👍

I ate with the Davey’s tonight, contributing some fresh bread to go with the delicious stew. 

Stoking the fire pit - big logs balanced across. 

There were two other camps with the Campground 

firepit, but we decided our fire was the winner.