Canning Stock Route 2004

Sunday 5^th September.

HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY. We are on the Tanami Track again for today. There are countless anthills on either side of the road. The day is overcast with high cloud and a cool breeze. It is cattle country again and back into the associated flies. On calling into Yuendumu, we found the Baptist Church service was in progress, but everything else was shut. There are not many points if interest along this part of the road except that the tar started about 171 km out of Alice Springs. There were plenty of paddy melons growing on the roadside and some very pretty wildflowers in yellow and white, as well as wattle. We saw two very big wedge tail eagles on road kill, but neither would stay for a photo. Further on we did get an eagle photo at last. After  arriving at Alice  Springs we headed into the G’Day  Mate  Caravan  Park. First job after settling in was some washing and then it was off to the Tavern for dinner. Part if the evening's entertainment was a reptile demonstration with a central blue tongue, shingle back, a central bearded dragon and Olive the python. Colin, Val and Olive made a really good looking threesome, but Olive just hung around. Two guys played and sang country songs and were very entertaining. We actually knew all the songs. We had a game of pool that Colin won (just) and was good fun. We were the last people out of the Tavern. 

Monday 6th September.

  Another lot of washing was first on the programme today and then it was off to town to access the internet, which took about an hour. Todd Mall was next for some tourist shopping and lunch. Coopers and Jones headed out to the Desert Park after lunch. It was very well set up with three different types of landscapes that were blended into each other very well. Maps and headphones were supplied that gave quite informative talks for each relevant place. Many types of native birds were in large aviaries and there was an interesting nocturnal house, which was very spacious. The aboriginal implements demonstration was informative and the free flying wild birds display was very good. It was an excellent afternoon and once again we were the last people out right on closing time. We did some late shopping and then headed back to the caravan park after tea. It was a very full day and we had very tired feet!

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