Yes, once again, the Drought Busters from Scotland
The Olgas are a small but impressive range of hills about 50k from Uluru, dramatically emerging from a flat plain. Normally seen as red, rounded hills against a blue sunny sky, when we arrived in the pouring rain they took on an uncanny likeness to Suliven in west Sutherland – that same rounded look against a grey, sulky sky with rain somehow managing to penetrate the Goretex. Making the best of things we did one of the gorge walks and then decided we should head over to the main attraction – Uluru.
It is still possible, but politically incorrect due to
To be fair the rain did not spoil the experience too much. Both the Rock and The Olgas, even in a sea of green (due to a good wet season not just our presence) rather than red, were dramatic and we take some solace from the fact that although most tourist photographs show them glowing red, we are in the small minority to have experienced them looking like drookit Scottish hills under a dreich cloudy sky.
Leaving Curtin Springs Station and its million or so acres behind us we set off north for a few hundred kilometres to visit another of the “must do” sites – Kings Canyon – although not before a local emu took a liking to Sandra and gave her a good pecking – luckily I had the camera at the ready.
Unfortunately there are no campsites in the area except the two official ones at Kings Creek and Kings Canyon Resort. The rain was still with us and the dirt road was a bit muddy with many water crossings - not rivers, just flooded roads. The Kings Creek campsite looked OK but it was still about 40 k from th
The next day dawned grey but hopeful. So Sandra decided to do her craftwork in the morning and head out to Kings Canyon about lunchtime – a good decision as the weather cleared and we had a fantastic day. Kings Canyon can be highly recommended and we would put it above much better known places such as Uluru and The Olgas. We did the two main walks – the first was a very easy walk up the canyon floor highlighting the flora and fauna. Littered with massive boulders, some as big as houses, which had fallen from the surrounding cliffs we were re-assured by a sign which said the last major rock fall had been in the 1930’s – so they were probably due another one any day now!! We survived.
The “Rim Walk” was spectacular. A very stiff climb to the
[As I don’t currently have Google access and I have forgotten to bring my copy of Arthur Mee’s Childrens Encyclopaedia with me – can anyone tell me what the difference is between a canyon and a gorge?]
Not sure about our next port of call yet but we plan to head north and take the Mereenie Loop Road – yet another dirt track, currently closed to non-4WD traffic due to mud and washouts. This crosses Aboriginal land and you are supposed to have a permit before using “The Loop”
More anon.
Its been raining in Italy too - for 3 whole weeks so guess who missed the summer in Scotland? We were walking in Umbria wearing 2 fleeces and full wet weather gear!
ReplyDelete"A canyon differs from a gorge in that the sides are stepped, reflecting alternating rock resistances". So says the internet. Wasn't Sandra a geography teacher.....
ReplyDelete"A canyon differs from a gorge in that the sides are stepped, reflecting alternating rock resistances" so says the net. Wasn't Sandra a geography teacher.....
ReplyDeleteoops seem to be repeating myself - how unusal.
ReplyDeleteHey Sandra, I was ringing to say all the best in your retirement! Too Late i see your already enjoying it... what an experience.
ReplyDeleteAny way good luck and all the best.
Celine Mackie (Lynch)
ha ha ! great photos ! u plannin on turnin ur blog into a book uncle jimmy ? very eloquently written ... i will keep track of youse now ... it's rainin, windy and cold here, wots new...kilimanjaro for me, 13 days n counting. All good in the hood. X
ReplyDeleteisn't Gill turning into the teacher type! Who'd have thought...
ReplyDeleteGetting very keen to be on the road and wish we could be with you on LX b'day oops I mean LIX - now there is a hint James, if Lolly were with you she'd oblige but it is all down to you now. BTW Lolly has discovered "under the doona" and is an enthusiastic explorer.
Happy birthday little sister - seems to me you've got it made these days so enjoy to the full.
Lots of love
Johann