Hermannsberg

Gary and Chris had to go to the dr in Alice so I opened up the centre on the Thursday and half the Friday – as they artists had sold some work the day before they were all humbugging me for their money – it was a little frustrating as they know who sold works and then other artists were coming in asking for money that hadn’t sold anything and others who I told that they would be paid on Friday keep on asking me over….and over….
Sat was a lazy day and spent most of my time reading in the sun – onto my last book so have been rationing it.
On Sunday Gary Chris and I went for a driver to Hermannsburg which is about 2hrs or so drive away – We spent the first 2hrs driving back and forth the 14k out from Ikuntji to the turnoff ferrying people who had gotten bogged. Finally on our way we stopped on the way at Albert Namajina’s house – who was a famous water colourist who did a lot of landscapes of the surrounding country. It was a tiny 2 room hut for some reason painted bright yellow outside and bright pink inside (apparently there was a whoo haha about the colour choice)
We met up with Victoria and John who look after the Hermannsburg Potters which is a well known group. Had a lovely lunch and went out to look at the town which is much bigger than Ikunji – it was the site of the first mission in the desert and still has lots of the mission buildings around. Its much more set up for tourists there with tea rooms etc.
I drank some holy water out of a tap which apparently has some healing properties so says the locals and filled up my bottle.
We then went for a walk to the river nearby which is very beautiful and has some rock formations in the boulders such as ‘jesus’s footprint’ and ‘Sun’ - there was supposed to be a moon but we couldn’t find it. Had a good ride back very pretty country as the sun was setting and went to bed exhausted.