So glad to be back at the beach....Pauline's sister  (far left) is over from Canberra and joined us today...thanks to pauline for taking the photo.

Of course the first thing I wanted to do when we returned home was see little Will. Gosh he had grown and has become so much more aware. Such a wonderful bubby.

Our last day in South Australia. Jan and I went for a walk whilst the guys returned the ute and camper trailer. Then we all headed up to Mt Lofty for a coffee and cake. It has been such a pleasure to see Jan and George, the perfect start and finish to our holiday. I hope it isn't too long before we can see them again. 

This morning those beautiful trees surrounding the camp grounds were laden with screaming corellas. They flew into the camp ground and the surrounding area at dawn.

...on the wires above the bowling greens...

They were still hanging around a couple of hours later when we left Melrose. The weather had changed , now cooler and raining, the mountain behind the cloud in the photo is Mt Remarkable.

First stop was at The Stone Hut, a famous bakery not far from Melrose.

We passed through so many gorgeous little towns with wonderful old pubs like this one in Georgetown.

We are on the Horrocks Highway in this photo, in the middle of sheep and wheat farming country.

The road to Mintaro...

Above and below are just two of the old buildings in Mintaro, a delightful historic town that we went out of our way to see.

Loved the trees left in the wheat fields!

Then we traveled through the Clare Valley, the sun was peeping through the clouds and we could see the dark grapes hanging from the vines.

By mid afternoon we were back at Jan and George's house ready for a hot shower and a lovely dinner...above ...George is listening intently to Peter speaking.

Last night we stayed in Coober Pedy again and were on the road again early this morning. I've enjoyed reading all the station signs. Luckily haven't had to dodge any stock on the road.

Lake Hart , one of the large salt lakes we passed.

In the late afternoon we arrived in the sweet little town of Melrose where we stayed for the night in the camp ground. There were some lovely old stone buildings like this hotel.

The campgrounds were surrounded by these grand trees...

Dawn at Uluru..Pete and I begin our stroll around the rock.

It is so quiet and cool.

The sun has risen and the rock changes colour.

It was a fabulous walk and we had a marvellous time ....it was all more than I expected. I didn't expect there to be so many trees, shrubs and flowers around the rock....such a stunning landscape.

Back on the road, making our way home. The petrol stops have been very amusing, this one in Kulgera particularly so.

Driving the ute with the camper van behind was easier than we thought ( I didn't have to reverse it anywhere though!).

Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) 

Spotted these two as we began the Valley of the Winds walk through Kata Tjuta. It is delightful walk that winds through the gorges giving excellent views of the surreal domes and traversing varied terrain.

Sometimes the walking was a little tiring....just rocks!

...and sometimes a little steep...

Although a little tired we wanted to do the Walpa Gorge Walk which was only a short but pretty walk between two of the domes of rock.

In the afternoon we went for a closer look at Uluru and stopped at the Mutitjulu waterhole.

As it was very hot we spent the rest of the afternoon in the cool of the Cultural Centre and then went to a viewing area to see Uluru change colour as the sun set.