Day 17 Simpsons Gap to Telegraph Station-the last day

The tired and relieved leaders

Another early start, with a general air of anticipation, as today is finishing day. A rather subdued bunch on the bus, with little conversation and non of the usual banter or music.
Simpsons Gap was cool and quite delightful in the early morning light, though the walk in the sandy bed wasn’t that welcome.
Back to the start of the day’s walk and the Spinifex Tongs changed hands to Matthew Howie for impeccable manners, dress and being tidy all the time. He took the award with great gravity as future events will tell along with a small bag of cucumber, alluding to a previous night.
I was given the honour, by Simon, of leading the walk today, so off we went.
A fair pace up the first incline and the km markers quickly got lower and lower, with our first stop to change clothes, shed some anyway, came in under 30 minutes at the 2 km mark, on Hat Hill Saddle.
It was then a steady plod along the well made track, heading east most of the time, with a short pause at Fairy Springs for first morning tea.
Some headed off to look at the springs whilst others just sat around.
Then on to Wallaby Gap, a camp ground with seating, shelter and a dunny.
Then our first serious climb, to Euro Ridge, which afforded our first real views of Alice Springs and the Gap, BUT not the Telegraph Station.

The short ridge walk was cool in the light breeze, however the day was getting warm, and the ridge was too early for lunch, however just the right time for second morning tea.
Finding a reasonable place for lunch in the lightly wooded, undulating country, was difficult with no shade, however we finally settled.
Obviously,  I had upset Simon as he pelted me with small rocks throughout lunch, until threatened with a boulder of huge proportions.
Then began the end of walk plot with the km countdown proceeding, over the Ghan line, under the Stuart Highway at Geoff Moss Bridge, which provided welcome shade for a rest.
At this point, Matthew announced he had been very remiss in his duties as Spinifex Tongs trustee, explaining that Simon had been complaining or sore nipples throughout the day, and he had failed to respond appropriately as trustee..
Matthew then proceeded to apply the aforesaid cucumber and hypafix to Simon’s right breast, which he wore with great relief to the end.
We then hit the old telegraph line with  the characteristic three part poles, that lead us past the cemetery and finally to the end, with the traditional arch of walking poles, through which we all walked.
It was done-263 km and 12 days with blisters and sore feet to burn.
Hugs, kisses and photographs and some obligatory speeches.
Then back to base for showers and readiness for our final dinner and celebrations.
The celebration dinner in the common room of the bunk house culminated in strawberries and Golden North ice cream from the pancake van on site and then the awards ceremony in which Simon gave all the walkers and “roasting” award for misdemeanours on the track and a Larapinta Certificate.
Matthew, with impeccable taste, as ever, proposed that the Spinifex Tongs be given to someone who would most likely return to the Larapinta, and hence give them good use and it was so decided to award then to David and Sonya of Banksia Tours.
Slowly, people drifted off to bed, leaving a hard core of about eight to party on, until fatigue took its toll.
Simon's thought of the day-History is why
Pictures to follow when I have a reliable and swift connection.

Day 16 Rest day or the East MacDonnell Ranges

Emily Gap rock art

Today our second rest day at Alice OR not.
Most elected to have the day in Alice going to the Sunday Markets in Todd Mall, catching up with friends or relatives or just simply hanging around.
Some more intrepid amongst us chose to head east and explore the lesser know MacDonnell Ranges, the other side of Alice to the Larapinta.
Breakfast at 7.30 AM, which most attended in spite of being able to sleep in if they so chose.
The adventurers were out on the road at 8.00 AM and an exclusive group, four in number, were picked by Clive, of Emu Adventures.
A cheery guy from the Congo, who sounded more Seth Efrican, and we were off.
First stop, Corroboree Rock and unusual formation, a sacred site, which we could walk around.
Then onto Ross River Resort, the home of the Ross River virus, a great old homestead, now part of the Groller empire.

Then followed a brief morning tea, followed by an exciting 4WD trip around the property, in Frank Groller’s personal Landcruiser, scratching it furiously on the narrow property tracks.
We saw the Great Wall of China, a wall-like rock formation, the Sphinx, another rock formation that didn’t look like a sphinx, then an outback camp the manager had set up, with fine hot water “donkey”, a “Thunderbox” loo and some primitive tent structures that looked surprisingly comfortable.
We saw brumbies, Euros and some interesting artists at the camp.
Lunch back at the resort where we were entertained by variously a small joey, a brace” of peacock and a rather indolent “Red” dog.
Then off to explore Trephina Gorge, with a very pretty rim walk, looking over the ochre red cliffs into a wide gorge with a small running creek.
Then down into the gorge, onto the sand and a couple of easy creek crossings then back to the bus.
On the way out of the gorge, a visit to the highest Ghost Gum in the East Macs at 33 metres, a stately tree.
Then followed Jessie Gap and Emily Gap with fine rock walls, now bathed in the afternoon light and some intriguing rock paintings.
Back to the caravan park, to catch up with the others day activities.
All in all a rather boring day!! I only took 51 pictures which you can see IN DUE COURSE.
Tomorrow we finish!