NORTHERN TERRITORY

2017

At long last we have got around to adding to our blog and recording our trip to the Northern Territory during second term 2017. This trip has been on our bucket list since our adventures and experiences in 2015 in the Territory. That time we were away for 6 months, teaching around the Red Centre and the Top End.

This year we decided to work solely around the Centre and do only 3 months (second term of school year) due to Gracie being in Year 6. We were really looking forward to renewing our acquaintance with friends we made in 2015.

So, sorry about the delay in adding to our blog, but we’ll claim being very busy as our excuse. We have worked nearly every day since arriving for the beginning of the Territory’s second term in a multitude of places and have been captivated by the many amazing experiences we have encountered.

WANGARATTA TO ALICE SPRINGS

We set off on our adventure on Saturday 8^th April saying goodbye to Wally and Jack ( our house/dog sitter from Mind A Home) and travelled along the Murray to our first overnight stop, Mildura. A quick pack up in the morning and we were off with Port Augusta in our sights. But what was more in Rob’s and Gracie’s sights was a Burra Pie for lunch. This pie was voted the best pie during our 2015 trip….and we sampled quite a few!

We got to Burra (a very historic South Australian town) around lunchtime and straight to the bakery. And what a disappointment! The bakery was closed on a Sunday!!!!!

However our disappointment was soon replaced by elation as on our way out of Burra we received a phone call from Jake to say that he and Gemma had just announced their engagement. Fantastic news from a couple so ideally suited to each other!

Following our overnight stop at Port Augusta (no stolen bikes this time, as we only had one on board...Rob’s, which they probably recognised as  the one they wrecked in 2015), we headed up the Stuart H’way bound for Alice Springs.

A highlight was our chance to sleep underground in our swags in Coober Pedy.

We crossed the NT border after a long days travelling and decided to pull up stumps at Stuart’s Well just short of Alice for the night.

At 11am on Wednesday we arrived in a sunny, warm and spectacular Alice Springs.

We set up base at the Big 4 MacDonnell Range Caravan Park much to the delight of Gracie with her fond memories of this park with its Jumping Pillow, swimming pool (& water slide! - a new addition since 2015) and chances to meet other kids.

Over the next few days relaxing, we caught up with Jake and Gemma and celebrated their engagement at the Overland Steak House. A lovely night!

We celebrated Easter and Anzac Day in the Alice, in between the many swims, slides and bounces that Gracie enjoyed!

We touched base with our friend Geoff Hobson from the Education Department Regional Office in Alice Springs who was so kind to us last time and organised our teaching appointments. We also met up with our previous Principal from Kintore, Nick Richardson who has now got a position in the Regional Office with remote schools as his responsibility alongside Geoff. Both great men for the role!