Soaking up the sun and getting out and about

Its interesting to be flying again, arriving at the airport I was surprised to see how empty it was. Even though you know it will be quieter it is still a shock to see by how much. A lot of the shops and eating places are shut too, so sad.

Now whether it was luck or design our flight was pretty much every alternate seat so that was great. Lovely to have the extra space.

Getting into another state is a little slower, the queue for entry with the health conditions is worse than customs at international airports. If this is to be the norm, then they need to find a better/quicker system.

We are staying at a friends place and have the use of their car which is great, we crossed at the airport (they were off to Adelaide) and got the keys. Driving into town was so scenic as all the recent rain has greened everything up.

Stopped at Coles – only to find they do not even display anywhere you can do the Territory Check in. Other shops we did find the code and checked in, but saw no-one else at all using it. Typical Alice.

Our first morning we decided to drive out to Simpson Gap – more water there than we saw in 7 years here and thousands of budgies. BUT it was SO SO COLD at 9am. We did not last long and drove back into town for beanies and thermal underwear.

Back to Simpsons Gap in afternoon – much better with more gear and later in the day. It is great to see clear blue skies and sun as before we left Adelaide it had been cold wet and windy.

Steve went to Woolies bottle shop asked for driving licence prior to entry as normal, cop then asked him to prove where he was staying (never happened before) so no wine from woollies. Just went to pub and no problem. Ok for us as we know to do this but for tourists… Most people camping would not have proof of where they were staying.

In Alice, even though it is very cold at night, the days if you are out of the wind in the sun are lovely. Unfortunately for us today and forecast then next couple are strong arctic winds.

Our luck is good with the sewage ponds and a lady is in town for the weekend that has a key. Always a great place to visit our highlights this time were lots of Wandering Whistling Ducks (Rare for Alice) , lots of Red Necked Avocets and White Winged Fairy wrens.

On to Golf – our first round in 8 months…….. Not expecting much.

And I was correct, although enjoyable, bad score. Never mind always another day.

A day for visiting friends, lunch and afternoon coffee, great to catch up with some friendly faces.

4 days of out and about birding and the weather has warmed considerably. Visited most of our favourite haunts, Simpson Gap, Ormiston Gorge,

Glen Helen (Which was closed due to effects of Pandemic according to sign), 2 Mile at Finke, Redbank Gorge, Redbank Waterhole (no-where near Redbank Gorge), Owen Springs track,

Santa Teresa Road, East Macdonnell Ranges, Trephina Gorge and John Hayes Rockhole.
At Tephina Gorge is the largest Ghost Gum in Australia at 33 metres tall and over 300 years old. Impressive.

On our way out one morning we saw a lady walking her dog, and nice to see she used a bag to pick up its poo – only trouble is she then tied the bag and threw it on the ground, walking on. So worse than the dog poo, now extra plastic around too……

Alice has such amazing scenery out and around, it never fails to impress and we are so lucky that it is still green from the rains and carpets of flowers are out everywhere.

Saw a couple of dingos, Roos, Perentie and one Rock Wallaby.

Birds are a little different to usual with many not around due to plenty of water (they spread out) and others in larger flocks due to plenty of water.

I have never seen so many Budgies here, huge flocks of them everywhere, along with many more Zebra Finch and Diamond Doves.

Every water hole with water was surrounded by many of these 3 species. One waterhole we spied from car when passing was our favourite secret spot. No people and more birds than you can point a stick at. Included the Pink Eared Duck which we rarely find easily enough to get good photos.

Here we spent a little time on 3 occasions watching the Budgies and Cockatiels swoop down to drink, chase each other and fly from the occasional bird of prey. Great entertainment and surprisingly noisy when Budgies flew over head.

We managed to find a few Crimson Chats, mainly juvenile and lots of White Winged Fairywrens – neither easy to get close enough for great photos though.

One thing we continue to forget is to consider time of day, we set off with plans, get carried away and end up in the wrong place for the time of day and lighting. We really should plan better and do things a little differently sometimes.

Great days out and about, sunny and warm with blue skies and just a hint of wispy clouds. Averaging 24 most days. Perfect.

A visit to the start line of a charity event “Shitbox Rally”.

This is a drive in cars from Alice to the Gold Coast via the Gulf of Carpentaria, all vehicles have to be bought and fixed up for less than $1000. Good fun and a great turnout.

Last 2 days are golf with friends, On the Sat I had a fairly good round of golf and was winning till pretty much the last couple of players, ended up third (and got a nearest the pin). Had one of the best tasting Pizzas at Golf Club, highly recommended. Next day not so good, still it was great to play with friends in the sunshine and be out.
Before golf we also headed out to Olive Pink Botanical Gardens, always a delight, especially the Bower Birds. Usually there were 3 bowers but this year we could only find one, I hope they are all still around somewhere.