The 6:55am breakfast call came for the last time. It was a more relaxed beginning to the day and we had until 9am to pack up. We gathered around the fire pit to cook toast over the coals and enjoy a cup of tea. Finally, the wind had dropped and, what was supposed to have been a relatively warm evening, turned out to be the coldest so far. Clear skies and an eternity of stars. Marcus’ swag was fringed with ice as were all the tents. The interior sparkled with ice crystals from the condensation, as did many of the tent tops.
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| An icy morning. |
Dave and I packed up quickly and Dave was appointed Camp Inspector, required to check all tents before we departed. In the meantime, we went in search of the bower of the resident bowerbird. Another Western Bowerbird with the usual pink mullet. He was a frequent visitor to the kitchen to steal food and items for his bower. We had been watching him for days, trying to work out where his bower might be hidden.
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| What's for dinner? |
Ultimately, after discussions with Jonny, we decided on the ridge line behind the camp site and set out to find it. We were partly correct. It was on the ridge, but the second ridge.
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| The kitchen. |
Again, we watched and followed and were led on a merry chase. Divide and conquer, Machiavelli advised and so we did. We explored either side of the scrub line. While Dave was conducting a ground search, I kept watch of the skies. Eventually, he returned to the tree near his bower. Gotcha.
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| Discovered. |
We backtracked and found the bower. Given all the items stolen from the kitchen, I expected more. The most amusing was a post it note reminding someone to "take the T-shirts to Ormi". A few photos were snapped and we returned to camp. Dave returned with Jonny so he was aware of where his nemesis resided.
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| Our transport. |
The final event at camp was the surprise presentation of T-shirts to all the trekkers. Words of thanks were spoken. We were grateful for the experience and Trek Tours Australia were grateful we had chosen them. In all seriousness I could not recommend them highly enough. They are a totally professional outfit. The guides we spent time with were all passionate and knowledgeable.
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| Ellery Creek like you've never seen it. Dave's photo. |
Bags stowed in the trailer, we boarded the bus for Ellery Creek. It was too early for a swim. The temperature was in single digits. However, it was a beautiful scene with trees reflected in the water. We admired the view, nailed a few classic photos and marshalled ourselves for a team photo before heading to Standley Chasm.
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| Beautiful, but Dave's photo is better. |
We arrived shortly after midday when the sun is almost directly over the top of the walls. Visitors were few in number and we strolled the path down to the chasm and shared the space with another couple as we made the most of the excellent unpopulated photo opportunity. Obligatory photos taken, we returned to the trail and the climb up to the lookout where we would be enjoying lunch.
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| Ellery Creek ... again. |
It was a reasonably short climb, but quite steep. The view from the ridge allowed you to look back over the chasm in one direction and out across the range in the other. Lunch was as good as ever and everyone was in a celebratory mood. The end was in sight and we had achieved what we had set out to do.
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| Budgies. |
And then it was over. We were back on the bus heading to our respective hotels. Not that they were far apart. It was agreed we would meet for pre-dinner drinks at the Double Tree.
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| A White necked Heron. |
Before that though there would be showers. Showers! And phone calls home.
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| Standley chasm. |
Drinks were great and Jonny and Lucas turned up unexpectedly. The other surprise was, it was Alice Show Day, a public holiday, the second that week. This one apparently necessitated a 15% surcharge on all drinks. I’m so glad Malcolm Turnbull got rid of penalty rates when he was PM - it stopped price gouging. The bosses win again. Anyway, we sat around chatting and reliving past glories until it was time for dinner.
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| The view from our lunch spot. |
And that was pretty much it. There is no need for a separate post for the transit day. It went as expected. The plane was late. The Qantas lounge wasn’t open when we arrived so we were forced to breakfast in the public café. The guy behind the counter was not having a good day and my ham and cheese croissant was served up looking like road kill from the Larapinta Drive. It was ever thus.
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| Two of our guides: Jonny and Lucas. |
Lenny Kravitz sang "it ain't over til it's over" but we know it's over. For now. Until the next adventure.
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| We're already discussing the Tarkine in '25. |
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