27.01.2012 from Alpine NP to Alexandra

27.01.2012 from Alpine NP to Alexandra

Or as the Aussies like to say, to Alex. We didn't do anything today, but that can also be described perfectly. Our direct neighbor at the free camp ground 7 Miles Flat became interested in our vehicle just before we left. Water inside, yes, cooking outside, nice, sleeping space, how big? 2 x 2 m, enough for 2 people, great. Yes, he is impressed.

Today we drive 130 km to Alex, where there is a showground. These are places where the community organizes major events 1 to 2 times a year and otherwise generate revenue as a camping site because of the facilities available. Smart thinking. So we stay here, as Alex otherwise doesn't have much to offer.

We do laundry, go shopping and cool off in the swimming pool. The groceries are much more expensive than back home (at least before we left). A small loaf of bread costs around €6, 12 (free range jumbo x-large) eggs €6, and 30 small beer bottles and 20 small cider bottles €80. But they last for a week. We go to the swimming pool, it's open and free admission, so there's no need to swim off the admission fee, just cooling off is enough.

By the way, we have around 30 degrees Celsius here in the valley. Up on the mountains it was fresh again this morning. The camp neighbor was wearing a hat and still speaking heavily in Australian gibberish. In the afternoon, the boys of the town held a ball hitting competition (cricket, Frank says), I still haven't understood the rules of the game. In the evening, we had fresh mussels again. Flies from Alex gathered around our mussel pot, but it doesn't bother us as much. We are doing well and enjoying Australia, where it is most beautiful, in the countryside.