The Ghan, Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayres Rock)

Not time to write much, but a fantastic trip of nearly 1000 miles on the train from Adelaide to Alice Springs. Left Adelaide 5.30pm and arrived Alice noon the next day. Very smart cabin. lovely restaurant and lounge on the train, and brilliant staff.

Stayed the night in Alice and after a swim had a drink and dinner with Elizabeth & Dale -a couple we met on the train. They live near Chichester and know Wareham from trips to Swanage.

A long drive next day, nearly 300 miles to Kings Canyon. On the way we met the legendary (though we didn't know it at the time) Frank Wheeler (click below for pics). A very hard walk into the canyon in 40^oC, but a nice spa bath in our room afterwards, and a very nice restaurant in the resort.

Another longish drive of around 160 miles to Ayres Rock Resort the next day. Time to see Uluru and The Olgas (the latter from a distance) before a late dinner. Up very early Tuesday 6th to see sunrise at Uluru; we were the first people to arrive at the sunrise viewpoint, and the last to leave.  It was a wonderful sight, but a little spoiled by the people - why do young Japanese tourists have to make so much noise?

Just enough time to go back to hotel and pack, then to airport for the flight to Sydney, and another one onward to Canberra and Barry & Nancy. Why are QANTAS so useless at feeding vegetarians?