Australia 2004

All images © Laurie & Kairen Wilson 2004


 

 

Ayers Rock  (rest day)

We got up early to watch the sunrise so today was designated a rest day,  We planned to laze around Yularu which is the resort to Ayers Rock.

We couldn't climb the rock because rain was forecast (it only rains every 5 years!).  The cloud cover was ominous......  so we decided to walk around Ayres Rock.  'It's only 11km'.  So we were sensible  (not) and set off to walk in the mid-day sun (the sky was starting to clear)

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It was a fascinating walk around the rock, with much to see and the whole monolith was different at every turn. 

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Tree bark

 

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A sacred site

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The sky was clearing

 

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...and it started to get warm...

 

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Kairen spotted a fabulous little lizard that just posed for a photo

 

There's always one!
(little did he know what was coming up later)

 

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CRW_2791.jpg After two-and-a-half hours we arrived back at the start of the walk to find that the climb was now open!

......a 10 minute rest and we set off on the 1000 foot climb that has claimed many lives from falls and heart attacks.

It turned out that the climb was only open for 1 hour that day.

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The first part of the climb has the benefit of a chain.  For the following three-quarters of the climb the assumption is that if you have made it this far and chosen to continue  then look after yourself!

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The climb is very steep , it's a demanding 1.6km that takes about 2 hours return.  There have been numerous deaths from heart attacks and falls, with memorials to record it.  The first part of the walk is by far the steepest and the most arduous.

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CRW_2799.jpg Laurie made it to the top (first that day)

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There is water at the top!

 

 

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A white marker shows the path across the rugged top of the rock.  The going is much tougher than expected with at times 30' sheer climbs.

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The view from the top was rewarding

 

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The 'conqueror' returns!

 

 

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'Where's that beer?'

 

 

 

We  gathered ourselves together and settled down at the sunset viewing spot to see if tonight's performance would be better than the night before...

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Laurie catches up on the website, but those flies just don't give up!

 

It's quite a party atmosphere and there's a chance of a good sunset

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Looks promising!

 

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Wow!

 

 

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The rock just comes alive and glows...

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Who's a happy pair then?
(but their feet ache and the joints are stiffening up!)

 

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The colours just keep coming

 

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And then the finale.....

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woo hooo!

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The sun sets and the colour subsides

 

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The show's nearly over

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Have I had a brill day?

 


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