First up, I went for a bike ride around the town mainly to see how the town recovered from all the activities that happened in Alice Springs yesterday. Surprisingly, it was quite clean and tidy and not like Byron Bay on New Year’s morning. The fences and temporary structures for the Henley on Todd regatta were mostly down and being packed up onto trucks. The area looked very tidy especially compared to further up and down the Todd River bed where the aborigines had overnighted. The Todd Mall had market stalls being set up as I came back.
When I returned it was shower time. Prue went off to have pancakes in the caravan park. I did not feel like them so I filled the water tanks on the Karavan and emptied various waste into appropriate receptacles.
About 10.00am we went out to the National Transport Museum. Prue was not interested so she sat in the shade and read. There are two sections, the Ghan railway and road transport. I opted to look through the road transport part.
On entering, a volunteer gives a briefing on the display and where to find each part. I started with an overview of most makes of road transport, e.g., the origin of Kenworth, Volvo, etc.
Then I entered the Hall of Fame where people that have excelled in the road transport industry are recognised. Many are from the Central Australian region as this region has relied heavily on road transport for its survival. One in particular that is famous is Noel Buntine who was instrumental in the transport of large numbers of cattle by road train to sea board and in his case especially opening up roads to take cattle to Wyndham in Western Australia.
Other names included the founders of the Brown and Hurley Group who are the largest distributor of heavy vehicles in most of Eastern Australia. Others mentioned include the founders of companies we see on the roads almost every day, such as Jim Pearson, Lindsay Fox, Lindsay Brothers. It was very interesting to read about some lesser known but important operators across the country.
Then I walked into the restored vehicle display area. There were makes from most eras. One that had a big impact in the remote areas was the B model Mack truck
while not forgetting some of those original road train prime movers such as some ex army trucks in the late 1940s. These are all able to be driven and look almost as good as the day they were made.Outside there are many trucks awaiting the tender loving care of a volunteer.
A big line up of former military “Blitz” trucks await some care. There are also graders that were so necessary in putting in and maintaining the tracks. Many of these are also driveable.
Several large items include “Big Bertha” which was a major road train prime mover. It has been fully restored and is hooked up with trailers and under cover. Nearby are the workshops that the restoration takes place in.
A little further on is a large shed. It is the Kenworth Dealers building. It is airconditioned. Outside there a few Kenworths that have retired and live under cover. Inside there is a wonderful display of a large range of the Kenworth models that have all been restored. They include SAR and W models that have been very common. It is a very big display and very informative.
Then I re-entered the first building and did a walk through taking in more about the industry along with much memorabilia relating to it.
After that visit, we went into town to get a few items such as a new Leatherman tool to replace the one I lost somewhere along the Oodnadatta track. While in the same shop we bought some special bags to store unneeded blankets and clothes in to try to keep a bit of dust off them as I return home.
Then a coffee and a walk around the Sunday Alice Springs markets which looked like any others. Some more items from Woolworths and back to the Karavan for lunch. Prue has made some sandwiches for freezing and ultimate use along the journey.
I greased and checked around and under both the Karavan and Bravo to try to find any problems. Thankfully, I did not find any problems at all. My careful driving and lowering of tyre pressures to traverse the rough roads appears to have worked, so far. Time will tell if that is the way it stays. While everything was out on slides we rearranged items across the back of the Bravo.
Then we went for a swim as the temperature is about 36 degrees. To jump into the pool is a bit of a shock as the water feels quite cold and is even after the body adapts to it. It is very refreshing though.
This evening, we joined with Russell and Julie for a scrumptious stir fry. We had nibbles before the meal and some red wine both prior to and during dinner. It was followed by a really nice fruit salad.
So a fairly early night to bed especially after staying up so late to watch the delayed Rugby telecast of the Wallabies defeat at the hand of the All Blacks.
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