Early July when Relle and the girls made their trek back to the Farm, we ventured off to Alice Springs to help out at the Papunya Community along with others of our Church Family. Matt, Kara, Jack, Will, Lucy, Rory, Mark, Rose, Karl, Henry, Archie & Claire Dahlitz, David & Jessame Wags, Tracy Smith, Jono, Jo, Luke, Adam & Carly Graetz, David, Tania and Daniel Obst where our fellow travellers. A great bunch to go camping with and we all had a wonderful time.
Our first camp was at Appila, the Pinecreek congregation. They put on a super night for us. A wonderful meal and plenty of games to keep us entertained. They also provide a big bonfire. It was great to catch up with them. We visited them in 2010 on our trip to Titjikala.
So nice to eat brekkie around the camp fire
We set off and made it to Coober Pedy by mid afternoon. We had a quick look around the town and then set off to find a camp site north of the town.
We found our campsite about 60 kms from CP behind the Mt Willoughby Telstra Station. Mama & Pa have used this spot on several occasions.
Next morning we ventured off towards Alice Springs. We made camp at the Wandgardi Caravan Park. We can have a camp fires here.
Henry and Daniel cutting up the wood.
We all fitted into a small spot. The Park was very busy.
On Sunday after going to church and having lunch in Alice, we moved off up the Tanami towards Papunya. The road was in good condition so that made it easy travelling. We stopped along the track to collect some fire wood before we arrived at Papunya.
This is the state of the Manse yard that greeted us when we arrived!!!
We all found our camp spot in amongst the mess and settled in.
The next morning we spoke with Pr Paul and found out what was to be done. So then it was all hands on deck.
Yard mowed after Henry and David fixed the mower. Trees & shrubs trimmed, rubbish got rid of, old shower & toilet shed boarded up, wood cut up and trees removed.
Some horses paid us a visit during the day.
The next day Pa and David Wags were able to obtain the use of a Bobcat and a trailer. That made the whole process of getting rid of the rubbish much easier.
Pa only lasted in the Bobcat a very short time. Second in Charge, Karl, deposed him of his seat. Karl took such a liking to it that he was keen to buy it and take it home. Wasn't able to raise the funds. He had a couple of ideas to find the cash but they didn't come off.
All in to help pull the tree over.
The shed had many years of stuff in it. There were 12 loads of garden rubbish and 5 loads of steel that went to the tip.
These 2 had a wonderful time getting dirty!
The girls spent many hours playing in the tree.
A few of the many fires to burn up the dry garden waste
On one of the afternoon when there was not much to do, we went down to the oval to kick the footy around with some of the local kids. Our lot spied an old walker and made their own fun with it.
When it was time to go back, the local kids took it over and had their own fun.
The end result!
A bit of levelling
A group photo
On the Thursday there was to be a funeral at Papunya so we decided to go out to the Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary. It has been dry for so long we did not see any bird life and very few animals. A mob of camels was all we saw.
Pa and David Wags having some R & R
Our campsite
Up on top of the ridge above the camp ground.
Rory hiding in a little cave
On the Friday afternoon we went back to Papunya. Pa and Mark Dahlitz went into Alice from Newhaven to collect the Perspex windows and louvres for the church.
The louvres were installed that evening and the big windows the next day.
Cutting them to size
Pa sealing them in
David Wags, Pastor Paul, Pastor Graham and Pa
