I have realised the difference travelling by yourself vs with the family.  It took me 20 min to have breakfast, pack up and get on the road.  This morning we got up 7.30 and were finally on the road at 10.30!  

Leaving Alice we made our way along the West MacDonald Ranges, first stop Ellery Creek.  It was only a very short walk along the creek which narrowed down into a pool flanked by vertical burgundy red rocks.  Not wanting to experience 'shrinkage' I decided not to brave a swim in the arctic cold water and resorted to just dipping the toes.

From here we moved on to Serpentine Gorge, a beautiful billabong at the base of the majestic escarpment. We then did the lookout walk which gave a panoramic view of the range.  

As eavening was fast approaching we headed to Ormiston Gorge, our base for 2 nights. On arrival we were confronted with caravans and tents parked shoulder to shoulder like con-joined twins.  I have realised that the number of people is directly proportional to the condition of the road.  Unfortunately the road in to Ormiston Gorge was fully tarred.  Having spent the previous couple of weeks camping in complete isolation this was not going to be fun.  Luckily the main campsite was full (I had no desire to share my dinner with the neighbours) so I decided to again pretend I could not read signs and ventured up a track with a sign saying 'tours only'.  Here we found a small site tucked away from everyone else.

Another disadvantage of camping in popular places such as this is that there were no campfires allowed.  Having a camp without a fire is not the same so we resorted to some firelighters and cardboard and just pretended it was a fire on a diet. 

Tomorrow is the pound walk.  The bit I am least looking forward to is wading neck deep across the river.  No way of avoiding 'shrinkage' tomorrow.