18/6/12 Drove into Alice Springs and parked in Railway Terrace while we did some shopping at Woolies. Walked to the Information Centre to get the gen on the McDonnell Ranges and then walked to Anzac Hill which we climbed to take some photos of the Alice.

On the way back found a Laundromat so decided to do some washing. Beer stocks were low and I decided to buy some provisions. However there are alcohol restrictions in the NT and the bottle shop didn't open till 2pm, so that held us up a bit more. Filled up with diesel and headed towards the West McDonnell Ranges.Decided to spend the night at Neil Hargreave Lookout which was a really spectacular place to spend the night. We were very high and had wonderful views of the Ranges. Only minus was the 3 degree temperature in the van when we awoke in the morning.

19/6/12 spot of bother with the van when I switched on the ignition in the morning. A warning light remained on and the handbook said it was either time for an oil change or soot in the oil. Light went out after about 5 minutes and we motored up to Ormiston Gorge where we both did the walk to the lookout, continued on down into the gorge, forded a very cold crossing (shoes and socks off and trousers rolled up). Some magnificent scenery - hope the family enjoy the photos we took when we get home. Met with a couple from NZ and their friends from Melbourne. We all did the trek more or less together.

After that we decided to visit Redbank Gorge, however the dirt road into it was atrocious so we turned around and went back to look at Glen Helen Gorge. Then moved onto Serpentine Gorge but again the road was too bad for the motorhome. Decided to drive back to Alice Springs and get the van problem addressed. The mechanic at Centralian Motors - the Ford Dealer - was very accommodating and told us it looked like the computer hadn't been altered when we had the oil changed in Rocky. The soot problem does not affect Australian Transit diesels as they don't have the particulate filter that the European ones have.  Motored north to the Tropic of Capricorn Rest Area for the night. At one stage it looked like we might have it to ourselves but 3 Wicked type campers rolled in before dark. Another cold night with the temperature droping to 2 degrees in the van.

20/6/12 Decided to retrace our footprints and drive back into Alice Springs and out towards the McDonnell Ranges once again. Stopped at the John Flynn monument and grave site. Then we motored to Standley Chasm which is privately owned by a local tribe. Took a walk to the Chasm which was quite impressive. After that we drove to Simpson's Pass and did another walk. Simpson's Pass did not disappoint and after all the walking we have been doing we must be keeping fit. Drove back into Alice and had lunch at the Joh Flynn Memorial before filling up with diesel once again and heading towards Tennant Creek. Decided to stop at the McDouall Stuart Memorial Rest Area, where we experienced another cold night. Watched a bit of TV as I had set up the satellite dish. There were 3 motorhomes, 4 caravans and 2 Wicked type vans there so plenty of company. I went walkabout and talked with a couple from Mornington in Victoria. I mentioned Ian and Barbara and the wife thought she knew Ian's name. It's a small world.