REST DAY
TENNANT CREEK
REST DAY IN TENNANT CREEK - 7th September 2017
Can you believe it - we woke to a really strong easterly blowing - it wouldn't be nice out riding today!! Let's hope it dies down a bit by tomorrow!! But just in case it doesn't we better rest up as we will need lots of energy!
I was up at 6:30, as Francis (the cyclist we met yesterday) - was heading off and I thought it would be fun to see him on his way. I don't think he will be impressed with the wind - just as well he is carrying all his gear to make his bike sturdy - he himself is a very light guy and on our type of bike I think he would get blown off!! Francis is Malaysian born but a 32 year resident of Sydney. He retired earlier this year when he turned 60 - and his retirement plan is to go cycling!!
After breakfast we headed down to see Kylie at the Tennant Creek Library, and presented them with a box of books to distribute around the 7 areas they service. Again a special thanks to those who donated us these books to deliver!! I think the librarians will be keeping the finger puppets for when they do reading sessions to children in their library, but copies of the books will be sent around to 7 libraries they service.
It was then on to the Nyinkka Nyunyu Aboriginal Cultural Centre and what a fascinating time. It is run by some wonderful ladies and we were able to watch several younger girls doing dot paintings, making bookmarks, painting tins, boomerangs etc. The encouraging thing is that several of the girls were on a "work for the dole scheme" and have to be here from 8:00am to 1:00 pm. Good idea I thought! The lady running the shop really liked our shirts - and said - "next time" we come through could we bring some to sell!!!! It was a shame I didn't have any available in her size else I would have given her one. Our shirts are proving to be very popular among the aboriginal people and they always smile and talk to us which is really lovely.
Next stop was the IGA shop - no supermarkets - and I wouldn't like to be buying my groceries here all the time - things are pretty costly!! But supplies have been topped up and hopefully the oranges and bananas will last til we next reach something bigger than a Roadhouse - this probably won't be until Katherine.
By mistake we went straight back to the park - and I suddenly realised we had not been to the Tennant Creek office of our wonderful supporter Jemena. So Pat and I jumped straight back into the van and went to the office. Here we were welcomed by Elaine Sarmardin who further enlightened us on both the Northern Gas Pipeline project, and life in Tennant Creek.
I have to say I had been "wondering" what Tennant Creek would be like and I have been very pleasantly surprised. Elaine explained that the Council did a great job here and every morning at 5:30 the long main street is washed, swept and cleaned and all rubbish etc picked up. I thought the wind must have blown it further east - but apparently not! Well done TC Council!!
It is proving very worthwhile seeing these places with my own eyes and not relying on how other people have found them in the past. I would suspect that Tennant Creek has improved a lot in recent years.
And a final word about the caravan park. The owners are new and have only been here about 3 months. They are doing improvements and it is a very tidy set-up with good ablution blocks and a great kitchen and eating area. I was asked before I left the trip why on earth I would spend a rest day in Tennant Creek!! Well, I am very glad I did - my eyes have been opened and I am thrilled to see the positive things happening there!!
Can you believe it - we woke to a really strong easterly blowing - it wouldn't be nice out riding today!! Let's hope it dies down a bit by tomorrow!! But just in case it doesn't we better rest up as we will need lots of energy!
I was up at 6:30, as Francis (the cyclist we met yesterday) - was heading off and I thought it would be fun to see him on his way. I don't think he will be impressed with the wind - just as well he is carrying all his gear to make his bike sturdy - he himself is a very light guy and on our type of bike I think he would get blown off!! Francis is Malaysian born but a 32 year resident of Sydney. He retired earlier this year when he turned 60 - and his retirement plan is to go cycling!!
After breakfast we headed down to see Kylie at the Tennant Creek Library, and presented them with a box of books to distribute around the 7 areas they service. Again a special thanks to those who donated us these books to deliver!! I think the librarians will be keeping the finger puppets for when they do reading sessions to children in their library, but copies of the books will be sent around to 7 libraries they service.
It was then on to the Nyinkka Nyunyu Aboriginal Cultural Centre and what a fascinating time. It is run by some wonderful ladies and we were able to watch several younger girls doing dot paintings, making bookmarks, painting tins, boomerangs etc. The encouraging thing is that several of the girls were on a "work for the dole scheme" and have to be here from 8:00am to 1:00 pm. Good idea I thought! The lady running the shop really liked our shirts - and said - "next time" we come through could we bring some to sell!!!! It was a shame I didn't have any available in her size else I would have given her one. Our shirts are proving to be very popular among the aboriginal people and they always smile and talk to us which is really lovely.
Next stop was the IGA shop - no supermarkets - and I wouldn't like to be buying my groceries here all the time - things are pretty costly!! But supplies have been topped up and hopefully the oranges and bananas will last til we next reach something bigger than a Roadhouse - this probably won't be until Katherine.
By mistake we went straight back to the park - and I suddenly realised we had not been to the Tennant Creek office of our wonderful supporter Jemena. So Pat and I jumped straight back into the van and went to the office. Here we were welcomed by Elaine Sarmardin who further enlightened us on both the Northern Gas Pipeline project, and life in Tennant Creek.
I have to say I had been "wondering" what Tennant Creek would be like and I have been very pleasantly surprised. Elaine explained that the Council did a great job here and every morning at 5:30 the long main street is washed, swept and cleaned and all rubbish etc picked up. I thought the wind must have blown it further east - but apparently not! Well done TC Council!!
It is proving very worthwhile seeing these places with my own eyes and not relying on how other people have found them in the past. I would suspect that Tennant Creek has improved a lot in recent years.
And a final word about the caravan park. The owners are new and have only been here about 3 months. They are doing improvements and it is a very tidy set-up with good ablution blocks and a great kitchen and eating area. I was asked before I left the trip why on earth I would spend a rest day in Tennant Creek!! Well, I am very glad I did - my eyes have been opened and I am thrilled to see the positive things happening there!!