A new direction

After our strenuous day hiking around King's Canyon, it was lovely to be in the free camp at Curtin Springs and not stressed about check-out time. We eventually loaded the car and got going, headed to the show grounds at Alice Springs as we wanted to catch up with Tonia, Cam, Jordyn and Riley once more. We had a quick overnighter as there was nothing more we wanted to see. The washing was done, the coffee made and drunk, the gossip caught up on, the Lego played with and we were off heading North and eventually East, hoping to beat the rains.

There seemed to be a lot of police cars around, and there was a booze bus on the road out of Alice Springs. For some reason, they didn't seem too keen to test Duncan, and Bertha was waved right through. We noticed a lot more police cars. The weather wasn't too hot, the road didn't have an incline and Duncan was happy to drive and drive and drive. Eventually we realised that there was a police car parked at every single town. And then we made the connection that they were parked outside every roadhouse, pub or bottleshop in between Alice Springs and Tennent Creek. It was a Thursday. Government Payment Day.

I knew that alcohol addiction is rife in rural and remote communities, but I had no idea just how bad it really is. We stopped for our usual 'long drive day ice cream break' back at the alien roadhouse at Wycliffe Wells. There was a crowd outside the entrance, all happily intoxicated and rather rowdy. There was also a bouncer on the door, keeping them all out. I was concerned we couldn't get our treats (oh the horror!) but we were allowed right through. It's always an ordeal for Angus to choose which treat to have, and he had FINALLY decided and we were ready to pay when something strange happened. 

All of a sudden, everyone who had been barred from entering was allowed in, a clipboard was produced and drinks were being poured. I was completely confused. And then I realised that the alcohol is limited by both quantity and time in different areas. Obviously, time was up, and the next quantity of alcohol could be consumed. 

The campground where I am currently writing this is in an area where it is ILLLEGAL to consume spirits. Even for visiting tourists. It's common to have limitations, and Duncan has had to be aware of how much beer and wine he is carting around, but I am surprised and dismayed at the extent of the problems with alcohol out here. So sad. There are lots of advertising campaigns aimed at parents to educate them to feed their children before their addictions, but I'm not sure how much is getting through. 

It was certainly an education for us all.