2015 AND THE TODD RIVER FLOWS

The Henley on Todd Regatta is held every year on the Todd River in Alice Springs. It goes something like this:

1st Image courtesy Google Images. Alice Springs is built on the edge of the Todd River, the river that is simply a bed for most of the year and often a whole year with little to no flow. We are pictured in the centre of the dry Todd River bed just 2 months ago as we sat and wondered if we'd see it flow during our stay here. The locals say if you see the Todd flow you'll never leave....and many don't.

Then just a couple of days after we farewelled Dad and Faye on a plane back to Melbourne where the rivers abundantly flow, the rain came! And in seemingly no time at all, the Todd too was in abundance. Further downstream just through the Heavi Tree gap, the water is creeping over the road - In town it's in full flow - and then as quick as it come, it was gone.

Tragically, while the whole town was out enjoying the novelty, a life was lost - a young man on a lilo succumbed to the raging waters reminding us all of the dangers of nature. Take card in flood water folks, from what I saw it is amazing there were not more losses, especially children playing way to close to the edge.

2015 OUTBACK NATURE

We couldn't let our visitors return to Melbourne without a little exploration of nature out here in the middle of nowhere

Farewell for now Dad and Faye. Its been so great to have you visting us throughout our travels - first Townsville, now Alice Springs......I wonder where it will be next????

2015 HAPPY NEW YEAR

New Years Eve, let's take a sunset ride on a camel.....oh come on Pop, it will be fun! Then too exhausted to hit the Casino with the rest of Alice Springs, we enjoyed some home initiated fireworks in he caravan park - got a love the freedom of the NT.

And a beautiful lunch at the Red Ochre to celebrate the 1st day of 2016. Someone left their undies behind before taking off to Uluru so I sent them a pic to show I'm taking good care of them.

2014 CHRISTMAS IN THE ALICE

Wow, it's Christmas after almost 9 months living life on the road - somewhere on the bus. On this 25 December 2015 we find ourselves in the very centre of Australia, the furthest point from any coast, Alice Spings, Northern Territory, Australia. I don't recall ever spending a Christrmas away from my family in Victoria....I vaguely recollect that there was one, but only vaguely and without detail.

Christmas has never really been a thing of mine, but was always an extravaganza event of my beautiful mum and family and was a wonderful though exhausting get together of excesses to be shared - food, drinks, gifts, love and fun (and not without the occasional dramatics). Since my unforgettable mum has left this earth, Christmas has been a day of dread, as she was always at the centre of festivities, and while missed every single day, never so much as Christmas day. Well, this year is definitely a new experience! Welcome to our Centralian Christmas.

Unfortunately Jay wasn't able to join us due to work commitments. So after giving myself a rather dramatic new hairdo, Qantas the only available carrier, lands and Pop and Faye arrive in Alice Springs to experience the festive season central desert style. After a tour of town (a total of about 15 minutes) we checked in to their Hotel, a pool lesson for Lola and Faye and a revolting dinner at the Ibis that involved fake potato mash clag (won't be doing that again). Christmas Eve is upon us and we decide to put on a Christmas dinner in the camp kitchen for our friends at the Caravan Park (there were more but I didn't manage a usable pic).

Christmas morning and Lola does presents before we head off to meet Pop and Faye for Christmas Dinner dining out style. And Daisy opens her present. The first wine opened at their hotel room, and the lovely Annie gift given (a beautiful carving we purchased from Annie Hunter from Utopia representing Women's Business. Christmas dinner was awful, but the wine continued to flow. After lunch drinks by the pool before passing out in the hotel room. A trip up to Anzac Hill to watch the sunset then a light dinner at the Casino. What it lacked in the traditional family ruckus we are used to, it made up in a totally stress free unique experience of Christmas 2015 in the desert. On to the new year!

2014 WORKING IN ALICE

As if working at Redgum wasn't enough of an adventure, working at Central Desert has been interesting, insightful and fun. So far I have visited Local Authority meetings at the communities of Atitjere (Harts Range), Engawala, Ti Tree and Willowra. Stayed in a Donga placed in the middle of the Atitjere community, the Aileron Hotel when visiting Ti Tree and Willowra community then back in Alice and off to do 2 days of 4WD training which was pretty cool

2014 GETTING TO KNOW ALICE SPRINGS

A stunning day starting to explore the MacDonnell Ranges beginning at Simpsons Gap where the water was icy cold. Then on to the magnificent waterhole at Ellery Creek where Lola & I swam through the gap to the otherside and thankfully a sandbar in the middle for a bit of a rest. We head home as the storms roll in. They say the desert gets you hooked in, and it certainly does as we arrive back home to a rainbow.

And then in total contrast....a drink at Montes in town, a night at Alrunga Park Speedway as the rains came down and finished off with a night light view from Anzac Hill.

2014 BACK TO ALICE, THE PLACE WE CURRENTLY CALL HOME

So having decided it's too hot to go further north (for we ex Victorians), and with a job opportunity too good to pass up, we have committed to stopping in Alice Springs for 12 months. So no more labouring jobs for a while, I am now the Business Manager at Central Desert Regional Council for the next 12 months. Not wanting to feel too much like we are back to normal life, we are staying in the bus and chosen a caravan park with a beautiful pool and 240v to run the airconditioner. We've set up camp, but will continue to travel around this amazing city in the middle of the desert as there is lots to explore while we top up the bank account.

It really is an interesting place. Nothing in Alice Springs is more than about 6 minutes away by car, once you go outside of that, it is desert for hours. We are camped right next to the pool, and boy, do we need it as we climatise to the heat.

2014 EXPERIENCING REDGUM STORE, UTOPIA NT

It's time to head to Redgum Store where we are to start work as Relief Managers for a few weeks. Already intrigued, the website tells us they are on the north western corner of the MacDonald Downs Station, a 2,200 sq km property, bounded by the dusty red dirt of the Sandover and Plenty Highways approximately 3 hours north of Alice Springs . It also tells us that on the all dirt roads 4WD is recommended, though not essential - however, if it rains, don't bother coming without one. The accompanying Google Map shows a little pin on a big blank space, which most accurately depicts the Redgum Store.

Redgum services predominantly the "Utopia" region, remote Aboriginal communities with only the very occasional travelling visitor passing through. Leaving the trailer and car behind in Alice, we head north to the unknown. Little do we know at the time this few weeks relief managing will turn into a much greater acquaitance with Redgum and customers.

After many hours, corrugations which the bus was definitely not built for and clouds of dust increasing their way through somehow, we arrive in late afternoon. It's bloody hot! After meeting our hosts and parking the bus, 4 hours of cleaning awaits. Then we meet Stephano, the Italian backpacking "woofa" who will be staying and working with us.

The Redgum Store. What an experience it was our first time being store keepers, centrelink, post office and a bank in such a unique and remote environment.....will never forget it. While working, a group of school kids from Alparra High called into the shop for a treat of Chicken & Chips...they came down the back to have a look through our bus and thought it was pretty awesome.

Sandy Pitjara Hunter is signing some of his beautiful artwork for us - Bush Sees From the Old Times. We had a very special spot in our hearts for Sandy's family - regular customers the brothers and sisters Sandy, Annie, Suzie, Jessie and Chris provided a lot of enjoyment for us. I really do miss them now we are back in Alice. Annie Pitjara Hunter, my favourite lady and her stunning carving painting of blue tongue lizard and boomerang.

We also received some stunning gumnut necklaces from the exceptionally talented Gladys Kumara and Angelina Pitjara. These are all famous aboriginal artists with works in galleries all throughout the country, including the National Gallery in Canberra. We were so lucky to be able to meet them, purchase their art and share their stories.

Meanwhile Chris Hunter was very proud to show us his catch - the Hunter's all come in to the store looking exhausted after a long morning hunting. Turns out it was Annie who made the catch with a thrown rock.

Pictured is a typical evening at Redgum is had with Stefano teaching how to cook pasta sauces (the italian way), followed by him giving me a haircut. Also pictured is Tommy delivering fuel to our tanks (the old fashioned way).

2014 LET'S GO MEET ALICE

After sending the girls off safely home, we stayed in Yulara for another day (taking advantage of the fourth day free) at the caravan park. We restored the bus to its natural order and the following morning headed north to Alice Springs.

While in Melbourne, we secured a job about 300km north of Alice on McDonald Downs Station, acting as relief manager for Redgum General Store, servicing mostly the remote indigenous communities. But we still had a couple of weeks to kill before heading up there and I had arranged an interview for a job in Alice at one of the remote service shires.

First stop Curtin Springs just for a look. A little roadhouse and camping area along the way. A Fuel stop at Erldunda and picked up French backpacker Alex and gave him a lift to Alice Springs. Then not far out of Alice Springs, Brad didn't want to stop for another "smoko stop". Demanding as I am, we stopped, and luckily so, a very flat tyre was identified. It was bloody hot, so all hands on deck to get the change done asap and back on the road.

Arrived in Alice, hot and tired. Said farewell to Alex and spent the first night at the Showgrounds. We usually prefer to free camp, pulling up where we can or where we like. But it is so hot, the next day we checked in to the only caravan park in town that has both a pool and dog friendliness. So this here is home for the next couple of weeks before we head up north to Redgum.

I spend time preparing a required presentation for my interview, dress in "city clothes - with shoes" for the first time in a while and head out for my interview. It went well, I am now the Business Manager at Central Desert Regional Council for the next 12 months. I start as soon as we get back from Redgum. So I guess we are calling Alice home for a while, I think we'll put Lola in school for a bit and I've negotiated some regular time off during the year so that we can still start the bus up and do some local adventures and not feel too trapped in the 9-5. Aaah, job obtained, time for a swim, and little checking out of the town.

2014 PRINCESS QUEENS OF THE DESERT

Having spent a few weeks back down south in Victoria with our beautiful family and friends, we battled pneumonia, migraines, colds, hay fever and even nits, not to mention rain, hail, wind. It is now time to depart, the red centre awaits us ---Uh oh, on an inebriated night with the fam, we agreed to take all the girls (pictured below) with us to Uluru!

They look so sweet and innocent don't they? Well it's a disguise as my next posts will be sure to reveal. Poor Brad , 6 females (not forgetting Daisy the dog) plus Brad - 10 days and nights, 2,500 kms and all 7 living on a bus built for 3.

So here's a snapshot of the "Princess Queens of the Desert" road trip............hover over photos for descriptors

We met a sick owl this lovely man is taking home to nurse. He is also the girl's best friend because the road gang kindly let us into their quarters for the girls to have a shower as the water at the servo was no good and we had run out in our tanks. Lucky girls!

At Burra SA we caught up with Jan and Ken (mum & dad down from Townsville) and they bought us a big pot of Spaghetti bog after a late arrival. Thanks Janni xxxx And we met them again in Port Augusta for snags on the barbie.

The stunning Lake Heart salt lake was breathtaking, as far as the eye could see....though frustrating cause we were so hot and tired and dreaming of it being a real lake that we could swim in. We arrived in Coober Pedy, and this is where we stayed. Quite a unique little setup, for us anyway. We wandered the streets of Coober Pedy, underground store and gallery and visited "Fayes Place" an underground home inCoober Pedy.

At the border of SA and NT. No phone signal, no wifi, so a great night cooking marshmallows over the gas bottle fire.

No somewhere out here in the desert is where we accidently left the little poodle behind. A long and shameful story, suffice to say it hurt us much more than it hurt her.

Well we made it from Melbourne to Uluru in 6 days and the equally amazing Kata Tjuta (I forgot how to spell it). And then we said goodbye, farewelled the girls at Uluru Airport where they head home to Melbourne and back to school. Brad, Lola, Daisy and I are off to Alice Springs....

2014 HEADING SOUTH WHEN OTHERS GO NORTH

After exactly 4 months on the road we head back south for a few weeks to visit our cousin and friend. He has recently undergone a mechanical heart transplant while awaiting a human transplant. He and his family have being doing it tough but you'd never know it if you didn't know. We admire their strength enormously and just popped but home for a little bit to catch up with them.

May I take this opportunity to ask every reader of this blog to consider becoming an organ donor, talk to your family about your decision and sign up to the organ donor register and save lives.

So back in Melbourne and it's bloody freezing. Our very dear friends have put us up in the backyard big enough for our bus and looked after us as usual. I wondered why I am feeling the cold here so much more, having lived here most of my life....then I remembered - ducted heated house, heated car, heated office was my past life. Bus life is a little less pleasant in the cold.

Regardless, it's nice to be catching up with family and friends and sharing stories of our travels and catching up on the parts of their lives we missed. We discovered Jamie (our son) bought a motorbike in our absence. Be safe Jay.... We missed many birthdays, but were here for Casey's 13th. Welcome to teenagehood Case. Cookie now has his heart on his hip and the boys try on their spunky shirts Pa bought them back from Germany.

Brad was busy earning money making custom order furniture and farm work while Lola, Laura and I took a train trip into the Melbourne Museum. Family dinners and Brad lapping up that meat, it's been a while Lola started Distance Education while back in Victoria. The "no school" method was getting really boring, this is working out great. Brad built Matt a skate ramp which proceeding in driving us all and the neighbours mad....but the kids loved it.

Discovered my clothes in the back wardrobe of the bus were going mouldy in the cold condensation. Fortunately the incomplete skate ramp was a useful place for airing while Brad installed some marine carpet and an air vent in my wardrobe. We had beautiful afternoon at Wild Dog Winery in Gippsland. Lola's friend Rosa come along and we had great food, company, weather. Thanks Poppy! Brad found himself in hospital with pneumonia and layed up for 3 weeks. This made our planned 2 week visit 6 weeks long...which gave us more time to eat, drink and be merry with the family

And now it's time to go, but guess what, we have some house guests hitching a ride to Uluru.......

2014 PLAYING AT GLENORA

During our five weeks in the centre of NSW, we played as much as we worked. Greg and Jo invited us into their home and their lives and we were lucky to be so warmly welcomed by all of their family, friends and the wonderful town of Tottenham. Lola had a ball playing with the kids Ben, Alice, Harry and Kate and we had a wonderful opportunity to taste life living and working on a farm.

In our downtime, we enjoyed lunch at the local Rabbit Trap Hotel, loved fossicking around the old farmhouses on the families properties. Lola and I headed in to Dubbo for shopping regularly and a visit to the Old Dubbo Gaol.

All the way from Townsville to Nyngan we stopped everywhere trying to get hold of an old gas bottle to convert to a fire and finally found one in little old Tottenham. So Brad set to work and yippee, we now have a self contained camp fire.

We never tired of the magnificent view from the bus - cattle in the morning, birds in the afternoon and gorgeous sunsets every night. A little morning frost, but for the most part the winter weather was great with lots of lovely sunny days.

We spent an afternoon at the Cairn - the geographical centre of NSW. The Cairn materials were donated by our host's grandfather and of course we engaged in little soccer game the country way, in the middle of the road.

We received a very codial written invitation from the Radfords to join them for a game of Glenora Croquet....needless to say our experienced host thrashed us.

We picked the kids up from school in the bus on our last day in town, the town kids thought it was pretty cool. Then on our way out heading south, we stopped off to share the local excitement of the Yellow Mountain bike race. 280 dirt backs riding from Tottenham to Condobolin and back again. Great fun to watch. Then when it was finally time to leave and our friends walk over to wave us farewell and uh oh, the bus won't start. No worries, Brad pops out to solve the problem, but no go. Luckily, the bike race happened to have a team of mechanical experts who got us on the road again........a quick starter motor rework and we are off.

Thanks guys, we made it safely to Condobolin, and although she started up again this morning, we've decided to stay another night. After a night of -5 degrees here, we are clearly stalling to head further south.

We have had a fabulous time in the centre of NSW and recommend our fellow travellers call in to the friendly town of Tottenham and get to know these lovely locals.

2014 WORKING AT GLENORA IN THE CENTRE OF NSW

Have been out of the land of Technology with no phone or internet signal on the bus during our fabulous 5 week stay between two lovely towns, Tottenham - the closest town to the geographical centre of NSW and Albert - small town big heart is the welcoming sign. We have been working and playing with a wonderful family on their crop and cattle farm, Glenora.

The work: Converting a shipping container into a liveable space using all recycled materials from the old farmhouses and woolsheds on the property. And a little paving.

Most of the windows and doors were reused from the old farmhouses of the family. A 2.7m2 extension for the kitchenette - made a huge difference to the inside space. The light shade and old rusty drum and the dining table an old farmhouse door converted to a fold down meals table with a beautiful view of the paddocks and sunrise.

The bathroom was my favourite room - the walls lined with steel from old wool bins, the floor from reused farmhouse tiles, a beautiful leadlight window from Jo's mums and the vanity from some beautiful pieces Jo selected during our fossicking around the old farmhouses and Brad created art with. The shower curtain rail and towel rail made from the frame of the same old wool bins and an old medicine cabinet from Jo's collection finishes this room off.

The front deck step created from the old woolshed at Belmore. We were lucky enough to join the family in the spectacular burning down of an old woolshed and this piece from the shearing floor was rescued at the very last minute before the burn.

The structural work now complete, we hand it over as we take off to the freezing south. I can't wait to see the final photos once the decorating is complete after painting and the external walls a cladded to match the family home. Good luck with it Greg and Jo.

2014 AND ONWARD TO NYNGAN, NSW

Girilambone....cute. Servo closed when we arrived at 4pm, the pub was a shed, we moved on to Nyngan.

Spent the day hanging around Nyngan. Decided it was time to advertise for some work....so while Brad and Lola were sent off to the museum (they had nothing to report), I took my hand to sign writing with a texta. Advertised our skills, and included "We Can Do Almost Anything....(except sign writing). Lola finished off with a smiley face. Ok trashy I know, we will get a professional printed one as soon as we reach civilisation, alright!

2014 AUGATHELLA TO BOURKE NSW

The Augathella Theatre, Charleville and Cunnamulla, QLD. Early morning wakeup to sheep and goats owning the road (so cute, babies included). It's so cold, the Noodle getting some exercise in her new jumper (it's the only one Charleville had to fit her ok)....it's getting colder the further south we travel. Thankfully no rain.

2014 SAPHIRE TO AUGATHELLA QLD

Overnight at Blackall, QLD and quick rest stop at Alpha. This tiny town was buzzing...turns out we hit on the biggest day of their calendar, Race Day. After no racing for 20 years, it's been reignited and a huge event for locals and guests from afar.

The "Tree of Knowledge" at Barcaldine QLD. Apparently the site where the labour party was born, then Tambo, QLD and freebie camp at a lovely little town called Augathella, QLD

2014 MORE FUN ON THE FARM IN EMERALD QLD

Left Townsville heading south and called in to see our new nomadic friends the Beard's who are stopped over on a farm in Emerald.

Brad built the kids a billy cart out of an old bed which we all had a ball towing behind the car

I think this was Chris's first time on the quad

mmmm Wayne, I think you should add a motor to this billy cart

Off to do a tour of the farm with 9 year old Zac at the wheel.

2014 FOSICKING RUBYVALE AND SAPHIRE

Well, we had a lovely lunch with the Beards at Pat's place (can't remember the name) and did a bucket wash. We found lots of little Saphires, I even got one big enough to cut into a ring (don't get excited, it's still tiny) and Brad found a nice little piece of Smoky Quartz. An amazing array of home made mine tumblers....

2014 HELLO EMERALD QLD

Thank you Jan and Ken for the wonderful time we had, the care you took of us and the laughs. We will miss you, but see you all again soon. Goodbye Townsville and hello Emerald, Qld. We are heading south again, but this time down the centre instead of the coast.

On the road again and lovin' it but only a couple of hours from Townsville and already wet and cold....oh no! Somewhere on the road between Charters Towers and Emerald, we had a night of rain, cold and the most revolting smell of what we later discovered were Midgee trees which smell when they are wet, and boy did they stink

Arrived at the farm to stay with Chris and Wayne and kids Zak and Jemma (Destination Unknown). Another bus travelling family we met down in Brisbane staying at the showgrounds and had a great couple of days with them. They have picked up some farm work and we're here to hang with them for a few days. Lola is loving the kid contact.

2014 MORE WINE AND MORE FOOD

Another day and night on The Strand. Lunch a bottle of wine at fish and chip restaurant at the Rockpool, dinner a bottle at the Seaview on the Strand and afternoon Italian wine (which only I liked) at the bar on the beach.

And to think he was the sober one.