Saturday 24/7/2010 Rainbow Valley to Chamber's Pillar

(Rainbow Valley to Chamber's Pillar)
I think our neighbours regreted their decision after I coughed all night.
Up at 0730hrs. After breakfast we went for a sightseeing walk along claypan and rock formations.

There were tracks of lizards, beetles, hopping mice and a ferral cat. Also a lot of bird life, especially zebra finch. Packed up by 0930hrs.
The kids are now naming birds since their Desert Park education (eg black kites).
Heading south on the Stuart Highway to Hugh River Stock Route.
Lots of gates along this easy dirt road (70km/hr). A good job for Jack.
Passed the current Central Rail Line and will soon hit the Old South Road, then the Old Ghan Railway.
Oh no! The road along the Old Ghan to Finke is closed! We asked about it at Maryville, apparently a car was washed away by the Finke last week.
Need to work out a revised plan today.
Budgies everywhere!
Collected firewood in the Hugh River bed, trees washed down everywhere, before heading into the National Park.
We drove over an amazingly steep hill to see a view of several mesas, insulbergs and buttes, and arrived at Chamber's Pillar at 1400hrs. There are 7 other cars here plus the ranger. We noticed you are meant to pay $7.70 (for a family) into a box, so I got Jordan to do this. She had a lot of trouble filling out the form.
After having tacos for lunch (last night's tea), we did the hike around Chamber's Pillar.

I need to go back for the sunset shots.
I downloaded my photos, had a play with my new shutter release cable, then started a fire while Col is making a mix for the camp oven damper.
It's now 1720hrs. I'll have to hike back up for the sunset shot soon.

Getting tips on photography again, from our camping neighbour. He was also at Rainbow Valley last night.

Col cooked tea tonight while Jordan and I played with photography. Chicken schnitzel, corn cobs in the coals, vegetables and pasta carbonara (dehydrated pack), followed by plain damper for the kids and fruit damper for us.
I did my first time-lapse photo, Castle Rock by moonlight!

The whole group of us had another talk by the ranger around a group fire where we also all sang happy birthday to one of the ladies.
I then had another play with a time lapse photo (only 1 minute due to the bright moon) of the starry sky over Chamber's Pillar.

Wow...this is fun!!
Our neighbours then joined us at our fire for a chat and a glass of wine. He gave lots of advice on photography. They are just starting a 6 month trip. Lucky ducks!