• Alphadog's TravelsWalking the red centreTraveler
    Camp 2 morning
    Camp 2 morningSlowly getting closerView from our tent at Camp 2. Not bad at all!Camp 2 kitchen and dining area. A bit more luxurious than Camp 1Camp 2 lookout on the sand dune, amenities block on the rightOn the track. Raincoats requiredLemon Heath Myrtle bushSpinifex grows in circles to contain water and access fresh soilOn the track from Camp 2 to Camp 3. We were quite rugged up as it was coldTermite mounds. None of the really big ones like in the NTSpinifex spiralCamel prints in the foregroundBlue sky! It didn't rain much just drizzled off and onGoodbye Kata Tjuṯa!Hello Uluru!Top of a sand duneEvery plant has a use to the local aboriginesTermites againPiece of quartzAnd another. Both pieces had sharp edgesThe local Anangu use spinifex to make a resin that is a good glueNow starting to see gum trees. This is a blue mallee gum, it doesn't have a trunkCamp 3. Here for two nights. Look how far we have walked!Near camp 3Our room, the window on the right ........... has a pretty good view!!! We can lie in bed and look at this!Plunge pool. It was **way** too cold for a dip

    Ever changing landscape - Camp 2 to Camp 3

    August 15 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Our run of brilliant weather came to an end overnight. It started to sprinkle just as we were going to bed and there were showers off and on all night. Something nice about sleeping in a tent listening to the rain patter on the canvas.

    In the morning it was still drizzling a little but it wasn’t going to impact us much. The Tasmanian Walking Company had kitted us out with raincoats for just this eventuality. Of course there wasn’t a sunrise to see so we had a bit of a sleep in before a big bowl of porridge and fruit for breakfast. We were on the track by 9am.

    Rain here is not that unusual. We aren’t in a desert but in what is called a semi-arid environment. They have actually had a lot of rain this winter so every thing is very green and the water holes at Uluru and Kata Tjuṯa are full.

    Walking through this environment is quite stunning. It changes quite regularly from spinifex grassland to mulga forest to desert oak stands to sand dunes to flatland. There is always something to see.

    There are a lot of signs of camels around - footprints, marks in the sand where they rest - and today we saw our first camel. They are a real pest. There are no emus in this area because the camels eat their food, if you cull them then there is an issue with getting rid of the carcass as they bring flies and their bodies are very acidic so if you leave them they kill the vegetation. Unfortunately they have adapted very well to Australian conditions and now number in the millions.

    We also saw our first signs of indigenous activity. This landscape is all sand but in some areas you find sharpened pieces of quartz that have been brought across from the mountains many years ago.

    The lodge we are staying at tonight is very luxurious. No more tents! These rooms have ensuites, stunning views of Uluru even a plunge pool and spa for a massage! We are here for the next two nights.

    Tomorrow we reach our destination.

    P.S.: Today’s step count was 30,843. A hot shower never felt so good!    Read more