I am going to keep it short and sweet today, not only because our day was generally bereft of noteworthy accomplishments, but it is also getting late enough here that rest is stalwartly beckoning me with scratchy red eyes and droopy eyelids.

Our day commenced in the usual way, rising to the alarm, which appreciatively didn’t arouse us until the rational hour of 10:00AM, although Bec did complain that early rising, departing campers had awoken here somewhat earlier. When we did surface, it was to find that a beautiful day was awaiting, the gentle warmth contentedly permeating the van. So much so that we even put the air conditioner on for a period. Mainly for the dogs comfort than our own though, as we sat out in the annex, enjoying a late breakfast as we discussed what our options were for the day.

We had decided on a lazy day, familiarising ourselves with the town of Alice Springs, but I was intent on formulating a strategy. In the end, we figured that we may as well just head into town, making our way first to the information centre where we would be able to arm ourselves with all of the latest gossip as to what there was to do.

Before we could leave for town though, we had to ensure that the dogs were set for a day alone in the van. We took them on an extended walk around the caravan park, including a run in the fortunately otherwise unoccupied off leash area. A small fenced off spread of thin grass, they both had a great time, bounding around unencumbered by their leashes, relishing in the opportunity to take in the scents of the many dogs who had preceded them.

It was after midday that we made our way towards town, driving straight past the city centre at the insistence of Shazza, as she merrily led us up the garden path, taking us to a small information board at the start the Larapinta Walking Trail that was assuredly not the office of the main information bureau. Without any further superfluous contribution from Shazza, we navigated our own route back to town, finding the desired agency right smack bang in the middle of town. Well, who would have thought it?

Not that they were overly helpful, giving us a ‘Shazzaesque’ bum steer as to which of the natural attractions spread throughout the tourist drives east and west of Alice Springs, into the MacDonnell Ranges, to which we could take the dogs. It was only luck that I later decided to confirm the proffered information for myself. Notwithstanding we collected an armful of brochures about all of the other local attractions that we might try to visit during our stay here. I am reasonably certain that we have collected more material than we could ever hope to need in the brief interval that we have here. Some serious culling may need to occur in respect to what we hope to accomplish.

We then ambled slowly up and down the Todd Mall, the main shopping thoroughfare in town, as well as taking a swift look at the two nearby shopping malls. Big city shopping it’s assuredly not, but there is ample opportunity to drop a dollar or two, even if we did hold off on making any purchases for today.

Bec At The Todd Mall, Alice Springs Own Shopping Mecca!

Mind you, if it was fireworks that you were after, then it was an entirely dissimilar proposition. Today is Territory Day, the nearest approximation of which I can think of would be the fourth of July in America. It is a day that celebrates the Northern Territories anniversary of self governance, but which quickly degenerates into a crazed never ending salvo of skyrockets being poured into the atmosphere. To cater to this Territorian birthright, pyrotechnics are available for purchase from nearly every business. There were signs for magnificent collections of crackers in the windows of all sorts of businesses from car hire places to fast food joints. It seemed that everyone wanted in on the action. In the arcade, there were shops specifically set up to trade in these garishly coloured artifacts, the shelves crammed tight with boxes of gun powder laden capsules. The first of July is the only day in the Northern Territory that fireworks can legally be sold, purchased or let off by you average Joe Blow, so they go all out, hundreds, if not thousands of dollars changing hands on monster packages like ‘The Magazine’ 30 kilograms of mayhem, or the 50 piece ‘Terminator Selection Box’.

Not interested in the Guy Fawkes supplies, we for the most part traipsed from gallery to gallery, looking at the myriad of indigenous artworks that are available. It seemed that every second storefront proudly proclaimed to stock a raft of work by local artists. We both love the original artworks, but both have in mind different styles as to exactly what we like. We are yet to see a piece that we have both fallen in love with. The search continues for that perfect piece however and if I was to spend thousands of dollars, it would be on something timeless and eternal as an artwork as opposed to a whopping big carton of skyrockets.

Almost worn out, I noted that I had eschewed my pledged plunge in the pool by less than a ½ of a degree, as our shopping escapade concluded with a visit to the supermarket for groceries and alcohol, our stockpile of both running a little ragged back at the van.

Thankfully, we arrived back at the van, to two tremendously excited and well behaved dogs, just as the first of the fireworks were being set off. The park manager has advised everyone that there is to be no fireworks set off in the park (although as always, there were at least a couple that defied the ban), but that doesn’t prevent any local hooligans from setting off their goodies in close proximity. Therefore another prolonged walk and run about the off leash common was proposed for the babies, in the desire that it would tire them both sufficiently that they won’t be unreasonably bothered by tonights expected cavalcade of sky borne light and noise antics.

Starting To Fret.

Further from the truth we couldn’t have been as they both, even the almost deaf Bethany, clamored to be as close to us as humanely possible, while the bangs, pops, whizzes and explosions of miniature missiles besieged the frigid night sky. Thankfully, it petered out by about 11:00PM, allowing us all to get a bit of rest.

Until next time, have fun, stay safe and don’t forget to write.