2nd day in Uluru

Early start again to walk out of the camp to see the sunrise

Shame they didn't give a bit more thought to where they built the viewing site!

Onwards to Kata Tjuka for a punishing walk 2 hour walk through the rocks - temp was 42c - that's too hot sit on your patio let alone do this. Look forward to a nice gentle Ver walk when I get home!

Back to a different camp - and a swimming pool - for kangaroo BBQ and another early night - this time we slept on camp beds outside

1st day in Uluru

We left Alice at 6.00 to go to Uluru - it's a 300 mile drive and takes about 6 hours. Straight road and not too interesting.

Got to the Camp and had some lunch before we went to Uluru and and aboriginal centre. 

Temperature was a little warm at 40c. Went for a walk around the base and drove round to watch the sunset and have a picnic.

First night sleeping in a swag - that's basically an outdoor sleeping bag. Check there are no ants on the ground, roll it out and climb in. Not the best nights sleep but after a pre dawn start I could have slept on a pin head.

Alice Springs

An early start today for a 3 hour flight to Alice - a 3 day trip into the outback and Uluru - looking forward to this one - wish I had read the Nevil Shute novel again to give us a flavour of what Alice used to be like.

I guess that's why they call it the Red Centre.

We checked into our hotel early and had a wander through the town - found a reptile centre and met Ruby

Also went to the Flying Doctor place and learnt about what it does and it's history - made a donation as I'm trekking around Uluru tomorrow and you never know........

Last day in Sydney

We are moving on tomorrrow to Alice Springs so trying to pack in as much as poss today. So bus round to Bondi - beautiful blue skies but absolutely freezing! Hence no one on the beach.

We took in the convict museum as well - fascinating - found a Matthew Sweet that was there in 1826 - stole some lead apparently and got 7 years for his trouble - hailed from Bristol so there is that West Country connection again. He was 19 years old - a bit harsh. I tried out his sleeping arrangements.

Quick ferry over to Watsons Bay for fish and chips and to get some views of the bridge

Went to ShangriLa for a cocktail this evening and watched the sunset over the harbour - magical!

QI - met the ex-musical director of Brotherhood of Man - he was playing piano in the 4 Seasons lobby - oh how the mighty have fallen....

 

First day in Sydney

Had a nice meal in a German bierkeller last night - beer and a big lump of pork! Mmmmmm......... Took the sightseeing bus early this morning after a walk down to the ferry quay - a good way to orient ourselves into the city. 

Met up with my cousin Kay and Bruce later on and they took us round the northern side of the city and some places off the tourist track. Back to the hotel to plan out what we are doing tomorrow

We're here

Checked into  Four Seasons a few hours ago and walked into our room to find someone had beaten us to it! Lots of apologies and a complimentary bottle of wine to come I hope!
Anyway - feeling pretty tired so 40 winks are in order and then out for dinner

We're off

We are at Changi airport - unfortunately we couldn't go for the free tour of Singapore as we got here too late - so a rather dull 6 hours wandering round the terminals. Never mind there are cinemas, games areas, chill zones and gardens here - nice sunflowers on the outer deck! Maybe something that Luton could introduce??