I have to admit it is rather nice when the jeeps turn up to take us as a group and we don't have to do anything to make it happen except pay.
Jennifer and Bruce. They are both doctors and live in Launceston, Tasmania. They work with the indigenous population near Alice Springs. For some unknown reason, Jennifer has decided that I am a bit of a larrikan.
Jodphur has Army and Airforce facilities.
Road to the village. It reminded me of the road from Maryborough to Brisbane back in the 1950's and 60's. This was much smoother however.
We stopped to see some antelope.
We arrived at a rural house.
A woman was drawing water from a cistern.
They burn cow dung.
The twigs protect the dung from any rain. The last time it rained was 6 months ago in August.
They have a cow.
We took off our shoes to enter the house.
The house has a courtyard with buildings and rooms surrounding it. Apparently they sleep in the courtyard on stretchers for most of the year.
Stove.
The woman was making chapatis.
I snapped a quick photo of the woman working outside.
The board and rolling pin for making the chapati.
Making the dough.
Lentil beans.
Wheat.
We all had a chai. I can only hope that they didn't reuse my cup.
Electricity only arrived six months ago.
Some of us operated the grinding wheel used to convert grain to flour for the chapatis.
The pantry.
We got back into the jeeps and headed off to the next attraction.
We came to a bird sanctuary.
Across the road were some buildings surrounded by a rather vicious fence.
The birds are attracted by a man made lake. It is right beside an Air-force base.
Berries on the tree.
Some of the birds that visit the lake.
Back into the jeep and we headed past this group of women who were building a dirt wall.
Rather vicious looking bush.
Antelope. The male is black with long horns and at the rear of the group.
We arrived at a place where they make pottery. The well is actually a kiln.
Because it is so dry, they let the clay pots dry in the sun for a few days and then fire up the kiln.
Either eggs or dinner in this country.
The man making the clay pots.
This photo represents this trip for all of us. Happiness while getting our hands dirty.
Items for sale.
We then went for a display of carpet weaving. Note the yurt shape of the huts.
We gathered in this simple shed for the demonstration.
The brush is enclosed by bamboo poles to form a fence.
The carpet. Just as the weaver appeared, an English gentleman appeared who reminded me of Robert Morley. He told us this was the best carpet maker in the world and he had invited him to come to England to make carpets. You could tell the weaver was both pleased and proud.
The weaver told us that an NZ couple had ordered the carpet for a specific length and then changed their mind to a shorter carpet. Since the setup had been done they asked him to do another smaller carpet on the unused section.
Carpet samples.
Of course I had to look inside the yurts to see how they were constructed.
It was a beautiful out of the city. The temperature was about 80, the sky was blue and there was blissful silence. Wonderful.
The roads outside the cities are relatively empty.
It was a wonderful outing and we all enjoyed it.
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