It was school holidays and the show was on so finding accommodation was always going to be tricky. I rang every park and camp in Alice and the only one we could get into was the overflow of the Transport Museum. Turned out to be perfect as it was also the location the Chapman family had arrived at. They had met and travelled a couple of days with another family so we all set up in a circle around the fire pit. Three vans, nine kids and more to come in a few days.
We had four days here in Alice and as we drove out heading for Katherine we realised we’d done nothing and seen nothing in Alice Springs. However it felt like we’d been flat out like a lizard drinking, and that is the reality of life on the road. It’s not all tours, relaxing, fun and frolicking.
The Red Centre had lived up to its name and the van was filthy. I’d given up trying to keep on top of the red dust that was everywhere and in everything, but it could not be ignored any longer. The van needed a deep clean and the clothes a good soak and scrub in Nappy San, we were all starting to look like Oompa Loompas.
While I was busy cleaning, washing and restocking the freezer with meals Ken was sorting out car and van maintenance. Some of the rough road had broken bits, shook loose others and general wear and tear needed sorting before continuing on to more remote areas. Of course there was the usual school, child wrangling and lots of chit chat with the neighbours.
Our one awesome experience was on the night we arrived, the 1st of July, Northern Territory Day. It’s the one day of the year that fireworks are legal for just that day till midnight. The boys had ducked off to pick up some fireworks and planned to get amongst it. The plans to set them off in the campground came to a halt when the owners put a stop to it. After that we jumped in the cars and made our way into town for the official fireworks display. We arrived just in the nick of time and the younger kids delighted in the display.
Still having a car full of fireworks, the other families searched for a car park to set them off in, while we decided to head home. The night had had enough of a bang for us. We were talking with the other families on the UHF (along with the rest of Alice) and the air was cloudy and thick with cordite. Fireworks were going off left, right and centre. It certainly felt festive with a touch of crazy, just the way we like it really!
The NT certainly has the feel of another world about it. You just have to be here to soak it up. So as the current tourism advertising campaign says. C.U. in the N.T. Only in the Territory.