Day 8 Monday 20th June

Day 8 Monday 20th June Today we headed into Alice Springs because we had found a place where we could &vote early& for the federal election. We don't really know where we will be on July 2nd! The voting venue was very busy, full mainly of people from interstate who needed to vote early like us. After a bit of a wait we all managed to complete our compulsory votes. We then walked down to the famous Todd Mall, had a coffee and a wander up and down, with the girls, checking out a few of the galleries and shops. After this we all went off doing a final fuel and grocery shop ready for our departure tomorrow. Heather and Paul also visited the old telegraph station and the site of the original &Alice Springs& Back at the caravan park, we were busy cleaning and fixing things and generally relaxing. There were about 4 different high school groups camping close by and we had fun watching the teachers managing the kids and thinking. ....glad it's them and not us. We also had some lovely conversations with the cooks and coach drivers. Have to say that the behaviour of all the groups was really good. We went to the Gap view Hotel for dinner and had a great feed. As we drove in, we noticed a police officer just monitoring people as they came in. Rob and Paul had a conversation with a police officer at the petrol station and he had said that by having officers stationed at places like pubs, petrol stations and alcohol shops, stops numerous fights from breaking out and saves on medical, hospital bills. It is cheaper to do this for the government than to have the medical, hospital and of course court cases and incarceration expenses.