Pete and I had set today aside to explore the beautiful, weather-beaten MacDonnell Ranges that are on either side of Alice Springs. We visited the East MacDonnell Range first, above is Emily Gap.

Eight kilometres further on is Jessie Gap, another quiet and pretty spot.

Corroboree Rock...a very strange looking dolomite outcrop.

The start of the Trephina Gorge Walk which loops around the gorge's rim then down to the valley below.

I love the ghost gums...

The 4WD track to John Hayes Rockhole... a new experience for me.

The John Hayes Rockhole...worth the bumpy ride...

....so pretty..

In the above photo we are now in the West MacDonnell Range at Simpsons Gap.

Stanley Chasm...such a narrow corridor that slices through the range, the walls rise to 80 metres.

Our last stop and my favourite was Ellery Creek Big Hole. The water and the chance to swim under those towering cliffs was the attraction. Pete and I swam the length of the gorge, at times floating on our backs staring up at the walls of red rock.

How lucky we felt at the end of the day to see and experience nature's stunning beauty.

Leaving Coober Pedy and heading to Alice Springs...

The town of Coober Pedy is surrounded by little piles of dirt...

...and these piles of dirt look so funny on the horizon ...

After a really long drive we arrived in Alice Springs and were thrilled when we saw our delightful ensuite and a swimming pool.

It was a very hot day but Pete and I wanted to see as much of Coober Pedy as we could. Above is a photo taken from The Big Winch Lookout, which is in the centre of the town.

Pete standing on the artificial turf of first tee of the Coober Pedy Golf Course. There wasn't a blade of grass on the whole course!

Faye's underground house....built by hand by three women ... most of the furniture has been retained from when the ladies lived there.

The Serbian Orthodox Church, one of the two underground churches that we visited.

The Dog Fence is the longest continual construction in the world, stretching 5,300 kilometres, built to protect the sheep country in the south from the Dingo in the north. It is about 15km from Coober Pedy.

The magnificent and vast Moon Plain is a mass of dark and shining rocks....15 kms from Coober Pedy.

Kanku- Breakaways Conservation Park ...is an Aboriginal Heritage Site and stunning landscape 23 km north of Coober Pedy.

  

After all that sight seeing we searched for a cool place for a rest and a drink...where better than an underground bar!

After saying goodbye to Jan and George, we began our road journey north ...one of the first interesting sights we saw was the Snowtown Wind Farm situated 150 km north of Adelaide. There are 137 turbines. 

We had a brief stop in Port Augusta...

Our hired car and camper trailer...and driver.

Approaching Coober Pedy...sooo flat.

All set up...didn't take us too long either....

....managed to do it before the sun went down. 

Today Pete and I flew from Perth to Adelaide. We spent the night at my dear friend Jan's home. She and her husband George looked after us well and we had a delightful evening.

"Join a Club Day " at Curtin today.

Pete and I visited Will this afternoon....

...and went to the beach with Tash, Will, Rusty and Lottie. Boy, do they love the water.

Will went to sleep gazing up at this beautiful tree and sky.

After feed before bath smile...so precious!