Ilze and I had a quiet day today, just a lazy 360kms out to Glen Helen Homestead for their world famous chips. ( and trust me, they are a superior chip). Its just as well as they are the only food and petrol for an eyewatering amount of kilometres.

On the way, via the Larapinta Highway we visited Simpsons Gap, originally named Simsons Gap by the surveyor who laid out the overland telegraph, and no one knows who he is (or was, it was 18something or other). Then a further 30 kms on to Standley Chasm, (yes that is the correct spelling) before turning on to the Namatjira Highway to Ormiston Gorge and then lunch.

Everywhere the colours come straight off a Namatjira canvas and when you see the ochre pits where colours were ground from the earth, you can see it and feel it. This was his country and he saw it with the same eyes as a Renaissance Master. Michelangelo would have understood it in an instance and yet there are still Australians today who doubt his great gift.

It was a great privilege to stand at the wall of the ochre pit and gaze at his palette.

Pete