Day 12 - Palm Valley

Today we joined the crew from Toddy's Tours for a day trip to Palm Valley, leaving camp at 9am.  

Because the track in to Palm Valley is 4WD only, Brett & Michelle's Transit Van had to stay at camp for the day and the Todd & Thomas Clans were all going to be travelling in Toddy's Troupy.  That was until Toddy & Sharon took one for the team and asked the boys if they would like to travel with the other kids in the Troupy - of course Dec & Mitch's response was a huge YES!

Declan, Mitch, Lucy & Maddie in the back of the Troupy.

Car 1 was Toddy's Troupy (the kids car) with Toddy, Sharon and Lewis up front and Lucy, Maddie, Dec & Mitch in the back.  Car 2 was the Jeep - (the grown ups car) with Brett & Michelle joining Scott and I.

Brett and Michelle were pretty happy to be riding along in the back of the Jeep instead of the bouncing in the back of the Troup Carrier and Declan & Mitch had the best fun in the back of the Troupy so it was win win.

Half an hour down the road and Toddy spots a BIG camel on the side of the road, we'd seen camels before in the distance but this big fella was right next to the road.  We stopped for a few photos.

The start of the dirt track in was ok but the end really was 4WD only!

Tracker Brett in action, CB in hand ready to report.

Scott had noticed some drops on rocks after Toddy had been through, so Tracker Brett was on the case.

After a quick inspection it was agreed it was just water from the aircon and nothing to worry about.

Lewis chasing the kids away from the water.

Maddie, Dec & Mitch exploring and rock hopping.

Declan, Lucy & Maddie having a sword fight with reeds.

Declan piggy backing Maddie.

We did a short hike through the valley and up the rock wall for a good look at the lush palm oasis.

The kids had a ball running around, clambering on the rocks and having sword fights with reeds and best of all only 2 sets of shoes got wet in the river.

The Jeep & Troupy patiently waiting for our return.

Hiking through Palm Valley.

Toddy taking the kids through the water.

Lewis in Co-Pilot mode & Maddie out the window.

Cycads up high on the valley walls.

After a picnic in Palm Valley we had a short drive to Hermannsburg for a look.  Hermannsburg was once a mission. With a historic village to have look at, there is also the aboriginal community, which includes a supermarket, petrol station and houses but signs ask you not to turn off onto residential streets.

On the way home we stopped off at Gosse Bluff for a look.  We had passed the turn off with the van on yesterday and wanted to have a look but it was Strictly 4WD only so this was the chance to do it with no vans in tow.

Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) is a crater formed by a meteorite millions of years ago.

Lucy batting and Lewis bowling.

There was no walk to do, so we had drink and some afternoon tea and then out came the soft ball and a game was played in the middle of meteorite crater.

Batter, batter,  ............ SCH W I N G - Lewis hitting out of the park!

Dec hitting it long with Mitch & Scott fielding.

Mitch having a practice pitch.

Maddie having a bowl.

We had a big day out getting back into camp right on 5pm.  Everyone scampered for showers, warm clothes as the temp was down to about 10 degrees again and to cook a quick dinner so we could go to the Ranger Talk & Slide Show at 7pm.

The Mulla Mulla Flower.

It was so cold sitting in the outdoor amphitheater but we all learnt a lot about the plants and animals of the West Mac's and all the kids were given a book at the end identifying all the animals big and small and some of the plants distinctive to the area.  The best part of the talk was learning the name of my fave flower, the Mulla Mulla - you'll have noticed a slight obsession with them.

It was early to bed for everyone as it was freezing outside, too cold for sitting outside chatting.  So once again we fell asleep to the sounds of the dingo's howling to each other.  Last night being our first night at Ormiston Gorge, Scott found this howling a little unsettling.  I say Scott did as I sleep with ear plugs most nights and didn't hear it the first night.