Day 11, Thursday 7/7/2016, Finke Gorge to Palm Valley to Glen Helen

 Happy birthday Katie!

It was so hot this morning that I had to get up early, which allowed me to see the sunrise colours in our private little gorge.

Morgans and Davies broke their record today, packed up by 0815hrs. A great start to a huge day. I did the 4WDing out of the Finke Gorge today! Yay!! Siân started off driving in the kid's car but quickly swapped to Jack.

So much fun, and such a beautiful place! Col got some photos of wild horses on the way out.

We arrived at Hermansberg at 1100hrs and had scones, tea and other assorted pastries, before heading into Palm Valley. Col drove this section, and Leah had a turn 4WDing in 'Silver'.

So back into another section of our beloved Finke River. It is much drier than last time we were here of course, but still some water to drive through. I forgot just how bumpy the last 4km were.

Everyone was suitably impressed by the cabbage palms, cycads, Finke River and the towering red gorge walls of Palm Valley.

We did the 1hr hike and got some gorgeous photos!

Lunch was on a sand bank in the middle of the river, under a river gum halfway back out. Soccer shots were had before heading for Goss Bluff. Gary's highlight. Peter was a bit stressed about the timing today, but it's all under control.

Goss Bluff (as Gary read to us) was formed 142 million years ago by a 1km diameter comet. Remaining is the impact zone only. The melted rock. Another huge ring of dirt was also formed but has since weathered away.

After getting the required rim shots we made it to our bush camp on the Finke River again, north of Glen Helen by 1715hrs. There was over half an hour of light remaining. Parkes crew were in the bush camp, while the Davies/Morgan crew were booked into Glen Helen Resort on the southern side of the road. We walked over to have hamburgers for tea but the cafe was shut at 2pm. So back to our lovely sandy bank river camp to make 2 minute noodles, then a nibbles platter and card night.

Finke River you are awesome! I have had an absolutely incredible 3 days!! 

Day 10, Wednesday 6/7/2016, Boggy Hole, Finke Gorge

 I woke up in heaven! It is such an amazing place. Everyone is on a bit of a high from the fun and scenic drive yesterday and the fact that we have a well earnt rest day today. It was 2 degrees C this morning.

There was a lot of exploratory walks and photography today. Leah and I went hiking through thick hip high grass to find pelicans and checked out the old police station ruins. The young adults went to explore the old police station as well and Siân had some more manual and 4WD lessons.

Then it was a fun lunch of mini dampers with different fillings, eg fetta and spinach, cheese and vegemite, peanut butter and choc chip and Col's specialty of red wine, garlic and fetta. They were delicious and we found the ones with red wine were the softest and fluffiest.

We had lunch around the campfire and then put a stew on for tonight's dinner.

There was an afternoon cricket match and then Amara caught a couple of little fish using just some fishing line tied to a stick with meat on the end (released of course).

Sitting in our chairs by the river we watched a kite and wallaby across the other side. The puffy clouds putting on a great pink and orange display at sunset.

Another lovely evening around the campfire together, with Leah and I again staying up late to read by the fire.