Henley on Todd

What do you do if you live in the desert where the river rarely runs but you want to raise money for the community? You have a charity boat race...of course!

I attended the 55th Henley on Todd, in Alice Springs, with a few thousand other townsfolk and tourists. There were 'boat races' of all sorts from single person kayaks, canoes, rowing boats, small sailing boats up the the combative finale between the Vikings, the Navy and the Pirates.

 The whole event had the atmosphere of a family sports day. Anyone could take part in the races with all classes of 'water' conveyance. 

The battle was wet, floury, dusty, smelly and very noisy.

The winners of the battle, decided by crowd enthusiasm, were The Navy

Blooming Desert

It is winter (well so called, winter) in the centre. But to a southerner, it seems warm.  Well, there were a few sub zero mornings but the days have been mild,  although the locals bedeck themselves with all the accoutrements of winter....beanies, scarves, coats, jumpers, leggings.... The dessert, however, clearly believes it is spring and following the rains earlier in the year, it is an absolute garden.

Smack Bang in the Centre again.

I did the big drive from Melbourne to Alice Springs. It took me four days of varying length with the average being about seven hours.

But it's easy driving, the Stuart Highway is great and hardly any interruptions from crossroads or towns. The scenery is epic and the sky brilliant.

It was cold and green in Victoria

Misty and mysterious, early in the morning, outside Port Augusta

Stately and mature desert oaks

One of the salt lakes with water and glistening salt crystals at the edge.

Great road and wonderful sky in front, and behind.

Evidence of opal seeking ant men in Coober Pedy

Another early start from Coober Pedy

The vast outback is very bright and very red