Friends at Yuendumu

We are still enjoying the hospitality of this outback community.  Maybe another couple of weeks and we will be saying goodbye to this special spot in our great centre.
I am still helping out with office work and enjoying just doing the hours I feel like.  Wonderful life being a volunteer!  There is a new part time cook arrived and he has removed the necessity to help out in the kitchen and play 'chef'.  After all I am far more comfortable in an office situation.

Lawrie is still helping Malcolm around the community and also enjoying trips to the dump where the matches can come out to burn the cardboard boxes from the shop.  Not many dumps where you can still do that.  Of course some of the best times have been spent sitting around the fire at night in the cut down 44 gallon drum outside the van, under a gum tree with the stars above.  We have collected firewood on the trips to the dump and then at the weekend Cherylynn, Matilda and I had afternoon tea with billy tea and toast made on the fire.  What a way to relax at the weekend. 

To then top it off on Sunday we went back out to the Cloud Dreaming rocks for a visit and then went back to the dam nearby and set up for a sausage sizzle with bacon and onion and billy tea.  Whilst there we were visited by a young horse who wanted to take a drink at the dam.  How special was this?
Check out our photos and see what a wonderful time we are having out here at Yuendumu.

How's this for friendship at bedtime?

the two of us at the Cloud Dreaming rocks

the brumby filly that came to visit

checking us out before she went back into the bush

not much water left in the dam now

sunset over the Western Tanami Desert

Still here at Yuendumu and have had another couple of turns in the kitchen.  Have become more proficient at bacon and egg toasties along with hot chips and steak burgers.
Mostly now though I am helping in the office so feel much more at home, have even used a calculator....again.  Those skills from 17yrs of finance in my past haven't been forgotten after all.
We are enjoying our time out here, Lawrie is helping with various tasks around the town and enjoying the time being spent with his brother in law Norm and nephew Malcolm.  What an experience we are having.

the road to the local rubbish dump

but check out what is growing beside the road

Today late in the afternoon we went for a drive approximately 10km west of town to a rock formation known at the Water Dreaming rocks (Juka Juka) The light late in the day was magic, and as we got to stay for sunset I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Juka Juka

looking north from our position up high on Juka Juka

 

sun starting to go down behind cloud

red glow starting on the horizon

sun starting to reappear from behind the cloud

finally setting

Cracker night here at Yuendumu

Friday 1st July was the one day in the year when fireworks could be sold in the NT.  This is to allow for celebration of Territory Day.  Well just because we are 300km from town (Alice Springs) doesn't mean we had to miss out on the fun.
Malcolm (Lawrie's nephew) had to go into town on Friday to pick up some folk so of course he took the opportunity to purchase a supply.  Well needless to say that night fun was had by all on the oval as we gathered to watch Malcolm do his thing.  Lots of ooooohs and aaaaaahs and applause for those that worked and then mostly silence for the ones that didn't.  With beautiful clear skies at night the show was as good as any put on by the professionals.   Some of the local children from the community gathered around and were enjoying having the sparklers.  One enterprising youngster of course thought he would see if he could set fire to the dry grass nearby with his sparkler but fortunately it didn't work.
The fireworks were over all too soon as usual but there was lots of laughter and enjoyment had by all.  The clean up was done next day by the adults (including Lawrie) and the strangest thing is that even today (Sunday) we have heard some rockets get let off.  Bit hard to see I expect but maybe the noise is all that is wanted.
Yesterday (Saturday) was another day of 'cheffing' in the shop so today of course needs to be an R and R day as the poor old legs are feeling it.  Feel an old hand at cooking now but desires to have a restaurant are certainly not forthcoming from the experience.  I will stick to my little kitchen and cooking for the two of us.
Went for a shopping trip ourselves last Thursday (yes 300km each way) to buy a pair of shoes amongst other things.  Rushed around all the time we were in town but the other main item was to get a new phone that would give service out of town.  So now we are connected once more and have contact with family etc whilst enjoying this temporary stay in the outback.  We had hoped to get back before dark as cattle can wander onto the road (had seen some dead on the way in) however it was just after 7pm when we arrived back.  So after leaving at 7.30am we had a taste of what our outback cousins endure anytime they want to have a 'shopping' trip.  Makes you appreciate living where you can jump in the car and drive no more than 30mins and be at a large complex,  Also makes you plan extra well for that excursion and to make sure everything is on the list!!
Coming home we encountered plenty of traffic heading towards the highway (the show was on in Alice at the weekend) and one of the tourist bus vehicles on the single lane of bitumen threw up a large gooley and smacked the windscreen right in front of Lawrie.  Well the next trip into town is to look for a new windscreen, thank goodness for insurance.
There is plenty of breeze out here along with the clear blue sky and the evenings are not as cold as Alice had been so we are not enduring too many hardships!!  Tshirts and 3/4 pants today are the go and it is very pleasant.  What a way to spend a Sunday.