Going for a Stroll..... (part 2)

Continuing from the last post.... In the middle of our last night at King's Canyon we were woken by some very vocal dingoes, not unusual out here, but they were no less than 5 metres from our swag which made it quite loud. We left King's Canyon the next morning setting out to Yulara the base camp for Ayers rock and the Olgas after sharing our thoughts about the singing duo with our neighbours. One of whom was about to get up to shoo them off about the same time I was hitting the side of the swag to scare them away.
Arriving at Yulara we checked into the campsite for 2 nights, we set up camp and played cards while waiting for a family friend Tammy to finish work before we went over for drinks. Well drinks turned into dinner and many bottles of wine later we headed back to our campsite to go to bed, we had a great night with Tammy and Dan and hopefully we'll be able to see them again :)
Our plan for the next morning was to get up early and go walkabout in the national park, after a massive coughing fit (Tanya) and breakfast we started out the day. The Valley of the Winds walk was where we decided to start, although we had been told that it was harder than the King's Canyon luckily it wasn't the case (being right in the middle of a cold I was a bit apprehensive). The formation of the domes that makes up the Olga's is truly breathtaking, from afar they're these irregular bumps and mounds that seem quite mysterious with random trees and shrubbery on high ledges. Once you get in amongst them on the walk you feel dwarfed by their presence, like a country boy in a big city (Zac) our eyes were skyward, taking in all the visual delights on offer. The valley of the winds truly lived up to it's name as it was one of the windiest days that week, almost blowing some of the waif-like Scandinavian tourists off the final lookout down into the gully, even so, being dwarfed by these natural structures was amazing! Once out of the more gorge-like crevices that are in between the domes you walk down to what appears to be a valley, more open and spacious with native grasses, wattles, acacias and gums. The very identifiable honk/chirp of wild zebra finches surrounds you in some areas as they rise from one dense bush in a Small undulating cloud to quickly dart to another shrubbery nearby. I think they are one of my favourites so far, rarely quiet just honking away, constantly moving and talking with friends/family. The walk takes you back along a dry stony riverbed, as identified by the eucalyptus that seem to grow in most of the dry riverbeds out here, back to the start of the loop before heading back up to the first lookout and car park.
After our journey through the Valley of the Winds we decided to have lunch at another nearby lookout with views of both the Olgas and Ayers Rock. We went on to look through the cultural centre and get an ice block before continuing to drive around the rock, as we weren't really feeling up to another long walk, well Ben was but I not so much. Even the drive around was gorgeous but unfortunately for Ben the climb was closed because of the winds mentioned earlier.
We returned to the campsite to do some work on the blog and to have a shower and clean up before sunset and dinner out that night. Sunset at the rock was magical even though we didn't get to see it all cause we were running a tad late (tad ironic it was the blog's fault). We headed back a bit later than most of the tourists, it's lovely as it turns to night. The resort has a complimentary shuttle bus that goes round and round the loop of the resort so we caught that to the restaurant for dinner. Oh my, I'm going to have a food writing section now so tune out if you wish. Pre-dinner drinks in the bar as we were a little early were a delightful pimms for me and a whiskey for Ben, we sat at a table to the back of the restaurant looking out into the night but more-so at the other diners, which I love watching for reactions good or bad anyway. The menu is scrumptious! For starters beef carpacchio with fennel and citrus salad as well as smoky bay oysters (YUMMY! best oysters!) with bacon, bush tomato and pepper. Main meals were a visual treat, Ben had a 300g rib fillet served on the bone with polenta fries, honeyed Dijon mustard and a beetroot Rosella flower chutney- the star of the dish in Ben's eyes. I had roasted duck's breasts in a polenta terrine with wild mushroom puree, bitter greens and herbed mascarpone. Dessert took us to heaven, roasted rhubarb mille fuille crumble with vanilla single cream as well as blood orange sorbet with chocolate macaroon filled with double cream and dark chocolate orange scroll. It was delicious!!!!!!!
Back to camp and we packed up everything but the swag for an early getaway. Leaving before the break of dawn to watch the sunrise from the platform in between Uluru in the east and Kata Tjuta in the west. Sunrise was gorgeous and I don't believe for a minute that the photos do it justice, in that moment no matter how many people were around us there was a quietness I'd never before witnessed in a crowd outside of church and memorial services. This quietness was intertwined with an anticipation and reverence that was as beautiful as the sights unfolding before us in the early morning light.
After a quick breakfast in the ute we continued on, running from the sun and eventually into it.

Sunset somewhere near Longreach 

Matilda Museum Winton - in a train carriage 

 Gully along King's River in King's Canyon

Bush Camp at Georgina River - halfway between Boulia and NT border 

On the way to Boulia

In the Botanical Gardens at Alice Springs 

Amazing wooden chairs at the start of the Valley of the Winds walk - also seen at cultural centre -

- I want one - 

Little Cave on King's Canyon Walk :) 

Looking up King's Canyon 

Looking down King's Canyon 

The Olga's - from the road around

The Valley of the Winds - final lookout  

The Olga's - from the middle 

Sitting on a branch at Jervois Station - NT

On a small hill somewhere inbetween Stonehenge and Longreach

Much love xoxoxoxo