Today it was agreed upon that Chris and Irene would stay in Alice Springs until their car was repaired. The rest of us would go on and meet up with them at Uluru in four days time.We decided that we would all drive out together to Finke/Hermannsburg after lunch before parting company. 

After packing up the tents in the morning we drove to the gardens surrounding the Telegraph station to look at the springs that gave the town its name.

Before leaving the campsite we had
to put this little visitor somewhere safe
 so we wouldn't stand on him whilst packing up our tents.

 Before we got there I took these two photos of the Residency,"the former home of the Government representative in Alice Springs.,built in the 1920's." 

The Telegraph Station.

The site of the springs....unfortunately very dry.

We stopped at the community of Wallace Rockhole and had a look at the potter's workshop. 

It was so hot that the horses were sheltering in the shade of the police station veranda.

 From there it was on to Hermannsburg. 

  Hermannsburg is known as the home of the famous Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira.

"The Hermannsburg Historic Precinct is the last surviving mission developed by the Hermannsburg Missionary Society. It shows the influence of the German Lutherans on Aboriginal people in central Australia.

Hermannsburg was established in 1877 as a religious mission for Aboriginal people. It became a refuge from the frontier conflict (violent conflict between pastoralists, the police and Aborigines) for the Arrernte people. As well as reflecting the changing policies towards Aboriginal people, it was the home of acclaimed Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. The Hermannsburg Historic Precinct was included in the National Heritage List on 13 April 2006."(http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/hermannsburg)

This sign on the back of the toilet was to prove prophetic that night.

 Behind the church was the mortuary.

Here you can clearly see the mortuary behind the church.

No settlement out here isn't complete without a set of rusty cars.

 There was so much to look at.

And this the community's Lutheran church.

 Next stop for some us....Palm Valley with some stunning scenery on the way there.

I love this country!!

At last we entered the Finke National Park. The Finke river is considered the oldest river in the world.

We had a lovely campsite with some noisy companions, yellow -throated miners.

Behind our campsite there was a partially dry river bed with black-fronted dotterels coming in for a drink.

                                               Another sunset setting the rocks alight.

                And to finish off the night along comes a black snake while John was in the shower.