Alice Springs

Left Kings Canyon today heading back to Erldunda Roadhouse 260 klms away, where we meet up with

Simpson's Gap  (Beautiful)

the Stuart Highway again. Staying 1 night there before heading to Alice Springs the next day. We didn't have any reception for phone or internet while in Kings Canyon so it was nice to catch up with news when coming into Erldunda.



Reached Alice Springs but with a near miss with a caravan up front of us who indicated left then indicated right just as we were about to overtake, he turned right into a laybye all okay!!

We visited Simpson Gap and then on to Standley Chasm both were well worth the trip. Also visited the memorial site of John Flynn who brought the peddle wireless to remote parts of the outback for school of the air and also pioneered the Royal Flying Doctors service.

Brenda, David & Ina in Standley Chasm

Ina, & Brenda again in Standley Chasm

Today we visited the School of the Air  which covers an area the size of Britain. We were able to listen into the teacher-pupil school lessons which was very interesting. Of course it is all done by Internet and Webcam now, all the children (ages from 4 1/2 to 14yrs) have their own computers and satelite dish for their lessons. After 14yrs old they have to go onto a boarding school or move into town to finish their schooling.
Next was a visit to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station which was responsible for passing on messages from Adelaide to Darwin over the telegraph line which was 3000 klms long, then linked to an undersea cable to Indonesia which improved the time it took to communicate with Europe.

   
David & I visited the Transport Hall of Fame today.

Very impressive, with lots of old trucks right up to
Modern modes of transport, which brought back many fond memories.
David also enjoyed the old cars and machinery.

I would recommend a visit if you are ever passing through Alice Springs.