Tennant Creek

Today was a tad over 500km slog to Tennant Creek. The only interesting site seeing / to do was Devils Marbles. Last time I was up here, I spent only 30 min and was in awe of the rock formations. So I left myself extra time to walk through the marble shaped rocks. 

I've plenty of pics and some are below. How did the rocks form that way??

Answer - the Egyptians cut square rocks and placed them on top of one another and created the pyramids. Big deal. Try doing that with round rocks!! So once the aliens had completed the pyramids, all facing true north they decided to fly over to good old Aus and tackle something harder. They created the round rocks and then perched them, some almost falling over on top of each other.  

The real answer, many 1,000's of years ago, the earth created the rocks and pushed them up which resulted in many being on top of others. Personally I like my story better and if I was wearing a ranges outfit, I bet 80% of the tourists would believe it.  

The nights so far have been cold and then heat up. I've suffered some heat stroke today. When you leave it's 5-6 degrees and you are rugged up. As the day progresses, obviously heat increases, but you get used to it. At about 1pm, wearing thermals and winter jacket, I stripped back to full summer gear. But it was too late. Body heat and obviously not enough water and I'm pretty light headed with a nice head ache to boot. I have consumed 1.5 hydralytes (spilled half) and still not quite right. So I will be having a beer, then water, beer then water.

Currently 28 degrees C in Tennant Creek. Just looked at Daly Waters temp and at present 32. The Daly Waters pub is my next stop tomorrow. I've been told the Barra burgers are great. 

If you haven't been to Tennant Creek, then think of a Mad Max movie. Very similar to Burke NSW. All the shops have big security shutters on the windows, alcohol places caged up and serve you a six pack through the wire. It's not a very safe place at night on your own. There's a big aboriginal presence here and last time I was here I learnt that apartheid was living strong in Aus. Black pubs and white pubs. Don't mix the 2!! Last time we purchased take away from the cage outside the black pub. I noticed a policeman there today checking all the patrons and take away orders.  

Well I'm going to have some water and then my 2nd beer and then off to chat with a couple I met at Wycliffs roadhouse who are also at the Tennant Creek Caravan Park..

Interesting characters you meet on the road.

In the Alice camp ground kitchen, I had dinner with a prison parole officer whose history is with aboriginals primarily around WA side of Great Central road. He had a huge love / respect for them and shared a few tales. He accepted a job with Alice Springs Corrections dept (?) and cant find affordable rentals. So he is camping for now. Rent up here is at a premium. Much higher returns than Melb or Syd but not as much capital growth.

Last night I met Ron from Sydney who is going up the Gibb River Road to Drysdale Station for a big adventure rider catch up. In his mid 60's riding an older style bike (DR 650) and has over 205,000 km's on it. Him & the bike have done Russia 3 times, road of bones twice & Isle of Man twice. Gave me some great advice and also a place to get bigger / better soft panniers.

Seriously I need to win tatts!!!

PS : Check out the male and female Peacocks at the caravan park. Just 3 mtrs from my cabin.

Click on the photos to see them in full size.