News from Elise

Hello Nichola
Mummy said you've gone a long way away and having lots of fun. I had fun at my baby gathering yesterday. You can see some of my friends in the photo. They are watching how clever I am on the gym-mat! Mummy gave me some carrot puree but I don't like it much so i hide it in my bib. Hope you are eating nicer food than carrots.

Miss you and miss swimming
love Elise XXX

Kings Canyon

Today Nichola has moved on to Kings Canyon.

The walls of Kings Canyon are over 100 metres high, with Kings Creek at the bottom. Part of the gorge is a sacred Aboriginal site and visitors are discouraged from walking off the walking tracks.

Two walks exists at Kings Canyon. The 2 km (return) and approximately 1 hour Kings Creek Walk traces the bottom of the gorge. At the end of the walk is a platform, with views of the canyon walls above. The 6 km (loop) and 3-4 hour Kings Canyon Rim Walk traces the top of the canyon. A steep climb at the beginning of the walk, which locals call "Heartbreak Hill" (or "Heart Attack Hill", due to its steepness), takes visitors up to the top, with spectacular views of the gorge below and of the surrounding landscape. About half way during the walk, a detour descends to Garden of Eden, a permanent waterhole surrounded by lush plant life. The last half of the walk passes through a large maze of weathered sandstone domes, reminiscent of the Bungle Bungle. A slow descent brings the visitor back to the starting point. The loop can also be done in reverse (anti-clockwise), but the National Park Rangers encourage visitors to walk in one direction.

The 22 km Giles Track connects Kings Canyon to Kathleen Springs and is popular with more adventurous hikers.
Nichola only has three days left of this part of her adventure as on the 22nd she moves on to Cairns to carry on down the East coast.

Grandad says!!!

Hi Nichola, I thought I would add to the legions who use your blog. What a great idea. I am learning so much about Aussieland flora, fauna and mad goings on through your constant supply of fascinating news items and plans for the day. I hope you are not getting too fat on all those Witchy grubs and suchlike, and remember, CLOSE YOUR EYES WHEN YOU SWALLOW!! One other word of Grandfatherly advice -- hang on tight whatever you are doing, cos we all want you in one piece sweetheart. Love xxx GD.

Nanny says

Oh Nichola! - How could you eat witchetty grubs and kangaroo tail?!!! I wont be trying out that recipe!!

You are packing so much into your trip, its no wonder you are tired - hope they give you a chance to catch up with some sleep.

I was so excited yesterday when we were able to get on to the website where you were spending the evening. I watched it for some time, hoping to see you, but didn`t and then your Dad said that .he saw you after he`d requested a song for you - AND I MISSED IT!! - and I was not a happy bunny Thank you for keeping us all up-dated with your thrilling adventures. Loads of Love. XXXXX

It's Wednesday

Up for sunrise this morning and breakfast over at Ayers Rock! Going round it on a Harley Davidson (motorcycle) and over it in a helicopter then catch the sunset. Big day and a busy one. xxxx

A Grubby tale

I ate witchetty grubs and kangaroo tail with aboriginals for breakfast - will stick to toast in future! Tired today just got to Uluru and will go to bed soon say hi to everyone. XXXX


AND IF YOU WANT TO TRY IT AT HOME

Curried Kangaroo Tail

1 Tail
2 oz Butter
1 tb Flour
1 tb Curry powder
2 Onions, sliced
1 Sour apple cut into dice
1 tb Lemon juice
3/4 pt Stock
Salt

Method: Wash, blanch and dry the tail thoroughly, and divide it at the joints. Fry the tail lightly in hot butter, take it up, put in the sliced onions, and fry them for a few minutes without browning. Sprinkle in the flour and curry-powder, and cook gently for at least 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the stock, bring to the boil, stirring meanwhile, and replace the tail in the stewpan. Cover closely, and cook gently until tender, then add the lemon-juice and more seasoning if necessary. Arrange the pieces of tail on a hot dish, strain the sauce over, and serve with boiled rice.

Time: from 2 to 3 hours.

Where is Nichola?

Well the answer to that is Uluru. Never heared of it I hear you say well lets see if I can help you and give you some information on this place.
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; 450 km (280 mi) by road. Kata Tjura and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluru - Kata Tjura National Park. Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. It has many springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru is listed as a World Heritage Site for its natural and man-made attributes.

D of E award presentation

Last night (monday 15th October). Mum and I went to Langley Park School to watch Sophies presentation about the bronze award trip she went on earlier this year.
The presentation was also about the silver award trips so we had to watch a few slide shows before we got to see Sophies!! Some five minute presentations went on for 20 minutes but it was good to see how well all the groups had done.
Sophies group talked about the highs and lows of the walk and what they had achieved from it.It was good to see the pictures and hear about what they did.
The pictures of the Norfolk trip where very interesting too didn't realise there was so much mud involved.What was evident was the great fun and friendships that can be achieved by hard determined effort to overcome arduous conditions by working as a team.
Well done Sofe xx

NEWS FROM AUS

Hello!

I just saw my first kangaroo! There are parrots flying around a bit too. Today I crossed the tropic of capricorn and climbed the devils marbles which was amazing, I wanted to stay there longer. We've driven further than the distance from scotland to home in a day, plus all the rest of the travelling we've done, and there is nothing the whole way. The roads are straight straight straight! We have stopped along the way though, at the most remote but really cool places. Wish you were all here to see! Tomorrow I'm going on a bushtucker tour in the morning, then a bit of a look around Alice Springs town before hiking King's Canyon for 3 hours. Should be a another good one!

Any news on your house Emma? I keep hearing songs that remind me of you, Sophie. Adam I hope you fixed your car ok. Daniel thanks for the advice! Nanny and Grandad I hope you had a nice late christmas present and that the theatre was good. Mum don't spend too much time in Bromley! Daddy don't work too hard and keep up the good work with my blog! It's fantastic!

Love you all xXx

More from Nichola

Hi its 7.30am here in tennant creek wiv dodgy mullet hair and teethless men! Swam in thermal baths yesterday & there where bats everywhere! Devils marbles 2day.
All OK
Love to you all

(Dad says think this message came through in the middle of the night)