We made it!

After 4597km, we have arrived at Alice!
It was a great 2 weeks and gave us a real taste of what to expect next year.
We are not sure what to do with the 'blog' while we are up in Alice. Some feedback would be appreciated. Do we let you know of our daily details such as: what we had for lunch, the temperature readings and how many times Min reported to me "It's pretty warm up here"? Or do we just leave it for 3 months and restart when we leave Alice?

We are in a very nice 3 bedroom apartment behind the hospital. 15/1 Skinner St, Alice Springs, NT 0870 for those who want to send perfume scented letters (let's be honest, that is aimed at you Dave).

The only negative so far is the air conditioner isn't freaking working.Top temp predicted this week is a balmy 40 degrees.

After such expertise shown at tire changing, you could be forgiven for thinking that I am basically the ultimate man who can fix anything given a coathanger and a match (I've been trying to get Min to call me Macgyver but she just flat out refuses), but my efforts have gone unrewarded. Min verbally reports "It's pretty warm up here"

Celebrating changing a tire off the Oodnadatta track (check out my ridiculous arm span)

Our predicted body shape after a year of 4wding and drinking XXXX

Uluru...

Dinner under the 'stars'. More like dinner under the clouds and smoke from nearby bushfires (the star gazer talk would have been good if we could have seen stars)

Our picturesque view of uluru at sunset the night of dinner under the 'stars'... Wow

Min in her PJ's ready for our 7km valley of the winds walk around Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) at 6.30am

The beautiful valley of the winds at Kata Tjuta

2 weeks away from Sydney has really changed us

As mentioned, the scenery was simply spectacular

Kata Tjuta

Not dead (despite the rumours started by John Park)

PS: We have changed the settings so anyone can write comments, love Macgyver and Min

Outback tales

It's been an eventful few days since we last 'blogged'...

We are now in Marla, SA, about 500km below Alice Springs. We have had a good taste of the outback over the last few days.

Notable events (in chronological order)

1. Silverton. Where Mad Max II was filmed. Amazing (probably would have been even better if we had seen the movie)

2. Cameron Corner. Just cool for being the spot between three states and in the middle of nowhere

3. Innamincka. The greatest outback pub yet

4. Strezelecki track. First established by some dude trying to get cattle from Queensland to Adelaide
5. Burke and Wills. We  (we meaning James) became slightly obsessed with the Journey of Burke and Wills in 1860, trying to forge a track from South to North up the guts of inland Australia. Hopelessly unprepared but amazing that they nearly did it. We saw the 'Dig' tree and where Burke died.

6. The Oodnadatta track. Follows the route of the old ghan railway, named because of all the Afghans who would transport stuff on camels along the same route to load onto trains.

7. Coward Springs on the Oodnadatta track. An amazing camp ground with a wetland in the middle of a desert. From a naturally occuring bore from the great Artesian Basin, a natural spa has been made at the campground.

8. Our first wildlife casualty. An Emu that wouldn't move off the Oodnadatta track. Bull bar, just paid for itself.

9. A flat tire 16km off the Oodnadatta track. We decided to take a 'side' track for 4wd only. We arrrived at some crappy ruins, changed a tire in 38 degree heat, then turned around. Min was so confident in my ability that she spent half the time trying to work the satellite phone. Not emasculating at all...
10. Errol. The man at Marla who repaired our punctured tire. Legend.

11. Amazing ouback scenery. Red dirt, blue sky and amazing stars

12. Burke and Wills. Just because they are worth mentioning twice

Marla, SA

Sitting at Errol's waiting for a tyre repair.
More to come...

In our thermals unexpectedly

Broken Hill. Known for its above 40 temperatures and beautiful October conditions. Not when we arrive. Out comes the gale force winds and perisher blue temperatures.

We arrived and the weather decided to 'turn'. If one more local said "you should have been here yesterday, the weather was perfect then...", I was going to punch them in their overly friendly, country hospitality face!

Apparently Africa doesn't have wind, because the roof top tent did not bode well in 50km winds. Yes Min, it is bolted to the roof, no Min, I don't think the 4wd will propel into the stratosphere, using the tent as a sail (while I confidently reassured Min, I frantically you tubed 'rooftop tent inappropriately set up by clown in strong winds' while she visited the ladies.)

We attempted to sleep in the tent but as much as I tried to convince myself it was just like space mountain at Disneyland (weeeeee!), we decided to sleep in the car until it died down. We had every piece of clothing on we owned.

Having said all that, Broken hill is a beautiful place. The art and scenery is stunning and we really enjoyed the day wandering around. We checked out Pro Harts gallery and visited the site where BHP began. We also shared the worlds best chocolate milkshake at Belle's milkbar.

Tomorrow we head to Fort Grey, about 20km below Cameron corner. Hopefully the weather picks up so I don't have to punch any locals in the face.

Actually camping

After staying with friends in Bathurst and Dubbo. We have made it to Cobar.

The rooftop tent's big advantage is that it apparently takes 5 minutes to set up. It took us 105 minutes. Each day we will aim for a new PB.

After completing the tent set up, Wes rang us with a challenge for the year. To meet and make friends with one new person everyday. Min's friend for the day was the owner of Savvy and Jessie (two cute dogs). They were part of a family travelling from Carnarvon to Charleville.

Scoreboard:

Min 1
James 0

Check out our dinner... We're basically glamping.

Due to Min obviously having a clear advantage for the current challenge (Min is great at meeting weirdos) we are happy for other challenge suggestions.

Next stop Broken Hill.

Leaving today...

Packing

Greetings.

Welcome to the James and Min blog.
It is Saturday, the day we were meant to leave. Didn't happen!

The last few days have been hectic and packing up at Catherine street took far longer than expected. As a result, we have all our gear lying on the floor at my fathers's house. It's raining outside... So packing the car today may prove difficult.

Back to packing.