For those who are reading this and wondering why I have just updated the titles, I am going to work backwards from today over the next day or two so that I can get the blog back in order, we have been out of mobile/net range for quite some time, so hopefully the broadband stick will work ok here in Alice and I can get it all updated, so please be kind to me and I will get it updated ASAP. I hope that you are enjoying our trip as much as we are. :)
Today we had a bit of a lay in, no need to rush these things :). We then had bacon and eggs for breakfast, need to celebrate finally crossing the NT boarder again.
We discovered that we now have 2 mice, one in the camper and one in the car, a bloody mouse got into the bread bag before we transferred it into the car last night so now we have to buy new bread as he has now nibbled on 3 loaves of bread. Bloody mice. Poo in the camper overnight so know we still have one there and the nibbled bread in the car. Grrrrr!!!!!!! bloody mice!!!!!
This campspot is a very popular spot, well laid out, especially for vans, but you need to get here early. There is information on both sides of the boarder about what is about and things to do, very informative.
We got here about 4pm last night and well we had to take what we got, but our spot was still good, and being right at the back was right away from the road. All of the campers here were very friendly, there was a great atmosphere (and lots of laughs) around the many campfires last night.
We got chatting to 4 grey nomads that had decided to stay another night which were from Victoria, very friendly people. Could have chatted all day, they were very nice, but it was time to move on.
All packed up we hit the road again, destination Alice Springs.
We called in to Stuart's Well for a bit of a break and lunch, and you wouldnt believe it, there is a spot here called 'Jim's Place', so I managed to get one photo (will add later) but the other sign with all the info I couldnt get due to the sun being in the wrong spot.
Right next door to the station was a Camel Farm, kids can have camel rides too.
We hit the road again, next stop Alice. We arrived at the van park at about 3 pm, booked in and set up camp under a nice shady tree. We then had a cuppa and had to try and sort out the car as we discovered this morning that our unwelcome camper guest now has a mate in the car. Bloody mice, so off to the shops tomorrow to buy more traps. The blighter even got in to James UHT milk. Go figure. Must be lactose intolerant too.
The sunset tonight was spectacular, true outback reds and orange colours. Beautiful. Hopefully tomorrow will be the same as we are going to go up to Anzac Hill and take some photos, so fingers crossed might have some nice pics to put up here.
As I was cooking dinner, J & P's Drought Busting services had succeeded again as it started to rain, didnt take us long, well thankfully it only lasted a couple of minutes.
James has done some running repairs on my pc, so I am going to try and update the blog tonight (well I succeeded there somewhat)
Rena got her first real bath tonight and not the black plastic tub that we have been using. The van park that we are staying in has a full size bath (family bathroom), really like this park for that reason (stayed here last time we were in the Alice).
Hopefully tomorrow night I will get to have a nice relax in the tub myself, it is the small things that you miss.
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Day 127 Saturday 15th June 2013, Location; Oasis Caravan Park, Coober Pedy
We got up early, check out time strictly 10am, so no sleep in today. We packed up camp and had our 20 cents for 3 min showers. Is nice to hit the road all clean.
We headed for the moouna opal mine and museum and had a look around. It has a very interesting display, both on the local area and also a display from the SA Museum on fossils. We were able to take photos of the displays about the local area but not the ones about the fossils, the way the displays were set up you couldnt take photos which is a shame so I will just have to try and remember what the displays said for Renas book.
We headed for the petrol station and put some fuel in the cruiser before doing a cooks tour of the town. I may be a bit bias, but I think Lightning Ridge has it all over Coober Pedy. I know that they are both very different towns, but everything was either boarded up or under lock and key. Even at the van park you were locked in from 10pm until 6.30am. I wouldnt feel safe walking around this town after dark, where as the ridge I do.
The landscape heading out of town, is as they say like a luna landscape in some places. You could tell where there was good opal as there was big open cut mines and big machinery being used.
We then headed north to see how far we could get today as it is a big drive between here and Alice Springs. We got as far as the SA/NT Boarder Rest Area.
This is quite a nice little spot to stay, very informative signs, well laid out rest area with a drop toilet. We got here just in time to take up one of the last spots at the back. We set up camp and got to enjoy some rays of sun before I had to cook dinner. You have to get here early to get a good spot. The ones set up opposite us had got here at 11 am. They wanted to make sure they got a good spot.
It was a very nice atmosphere at this camp spot, we headed inside relatively early so that Rena could go to sleep, but we went to sleep to the sound of fellow campers around campfires talking and laughing and reminiscing about their travels.
We headed for the moouna opal mine and museum and had a look around. It has a very interesting display, both on the local area and also a display from the SA Museum on fossils. We were able to take photos of the displays about the local area but not the ones about the fossils, the way the displays were set up you couldnt take photos which is a shame so I will just have to try and remember what the displays said for Renas book.
We headed for the petrol station and put some fuel in the cruiser before doing a cooks tour of the town. I may be a bit bias, but I think Lightning Ridge has it all over Coober Pedy. I know that they are both very different towns, but everything was either boarded up or under lock and key. Even at the van park you were locked in from 10pm until 6.30am. I wouldnt feel safe walking around this town after dark, where as the ridge I do.
The landscape heading out of town, is as they say like a luna landscape in some places. You could tell where there was good opal as there was big open cut mines and big machinery being used.
We then headed north to see how far we could get today as it is a big drive between here and Alice Springs. We got as far as the SA/NT Boarder Rest Area.
This is quite a nice little spot to stay, very informative signs, well laid out rest area with a drop toilet. We got here just in time to take up one of the last spots at the back. We set up camp and got to enjoy some rays of sun before I had to cook dinner. You have to get here early to get a good spot. The ones set up opposite us had got here at 11 am. They wanted to make sure they got a good spot.
It was a very nice atmosphere at this camp spot, we headed inside relatively early so that Rena could go to sleep, but we went to sleep to the sound of fellow campers around campfires talking and laughing and reminiscing about their travels.
Day 126 Friday 14th June 2013, Location; Bookoloo Rest Area
Today we got up at 8am, no check out time today, so could take our time getting up and packing up. Although we still had our little unwanted house guest, very hard blighter to catch, need another trap. Bloody mouse even pooed on top of the mouse trap. Hows that for putting his nose up at you.
After breakfast we casually packed up and hit the road, we were trying to get to Coober Pedy by COB to catch the post office for our mail.
It was a very long drive today, with lots of klms between Bookaloo and Coobey Pedy but we made it to town about 3 pm first port of call the Post Office to collect the mail. Rego sticker can now go on the camper once we clean the mud off it.
We then headed to the caravan park and set up our camper on our piece of gravel ($30 unpowered) and didnt fit on our site, James had to partially park the cruiser on the site next to us, thankfully no one was there for the night.
Since we were now back in the electronic land, we checked our emails about 5pm and found out that the new tenants were having problems at the house, makes me wonder about our RE agent :( anyway, email back to real estate agent and catch up with my other emails time to get dinner.
Early night tonight as we were all stuffed after the big drive today, tomorrow we will be heading to Alice Springs, unfortunately I will not get to see Lake Eyre this time around as the road from Coobey Pedy to William Creek are still closed and also the road from William Creek out to Lake Eyre. :( Major disappointment I have to miss out this time. Cant even take an scenic flight as Rena is too young, and James wont go without me. :(
After breakfast we casually packed up and hit the road, we were trying to get to Coober Pedy by COB to catch the post office for our mail.
It was a very long drive today, with lots of klms between Bookaloo and Coobey Pedy but we made it to town about 3 pm first port of call the Post Office to collect the mail. Rego sticker can now go on the camper once we clean the mud off it.
We then headed to the caravan park and set up our camper on our piece of gravel ($30 unpowered) and didnt fit on our site, James had to partially park the cruiser on the site next to us, thankfully no one was there for the night.
Since we were now back in the electronic land, we checked our emails about 5pm and found out that the new tenants were having problems at the house, makes me wonder about our RE agent :( anyway, email back to real estate agent and catch up with my other emails time to get dinner.
Early night tonight as we were all stuffed after the big drive today, tomorrow we will be heading to Alice Springs, unfortunately I will not get to see Lake Eyre this time around as the road from Coobey Pedy to William Creek are still closed and also the road from William Creek out to Lake Eyre. :( Major disappointment I have to miss out this time. Cant even take an scenic flight as Rena is too young, and James wont go without me. :(
Day 125 Thursday 13th June 2013, Location; Leigh Creek Caravan Park
This is not fair, I set the alarm for 7am and got up to have my shower before packing up ready for our 10am check out. You are just not meant to get up this early, it is not natural for the body. (Well at least when you are living the dream on extended holidays at least).
Unfortunately this morning there was light misty rain, so everything was wet and considering the camper and cruiser was covered in mud, it was now very wet mud. So you could imagine the pack up, we had to take great care so that we didnt end up covered in mud.
The caretaker came over whilst we were packing up and told us to take our time, and dont worry about the 10 am check out, he didnt expect us to meet it with the rain and wet camper, which was really nice of him.
We were getting fuel and he caught up with us again and gave us a heads up about making sure our windows and taillights were clean, very friendly and helpful gentleman. (I could definitely recommend the caravan park at Leigh Creek $20 per night powered site, and the caretaker is really helpful).
It rained most of the way from Leigh Creek to Hawker, where we stopped for lunch and I managed to get a jar of home made quondong jam (wild peach jam). I will have to let you know what it is like when we get to taste it.
Next stop is Coles at Port Augusta, time for a restock. OUCH!! that hurt, was the first major restock since Warnambool. Then off to the petrol station and double ouch again but both a necessity. At least this time what we bought we can legally take over the SA/NT boarder.
We then decided not to stay the night in Port Augusta, and to try and see how far north we could get today, so off we headed.
We got to the Bookaloo rest area and whilst we were having a cuppa we could see the rain heading our way, but not before we had taken out all the shopping from the car and had been sorting it out whilst waiting for the kettle to boil.
So before James could get a tarp up it had started to rain, so I was madly putting all the shopping inside the camper and car again.
Rain over, I made dinner and then kept sorting out the pantry draw and the pantry crates. James and I had just sat down to a cuppa when Rena cries out mouse, we go nahh cant be, what a mouse on the movie and she goes no on my bed, so in I race and sure enough pesky mouse is on her bed but too fast for me to catch by hand.
So Rena in our bed, and we pull everything out of the camper including the new groceries and try and catch the bloody mouse (mind you it is about 8.30pm by now). Mouse trap set, and finish cuppa. Sure this is a smart mouse, as he evaded us.
Finish cuppa and everything goes back in the camper or gets put in sealed bags in the car, including the fresh bread that he decided he wanted for his dinner. Rena back in bed and us in bed, knackered. Too late to call mum and dad as planned tonight, time for some sleep.
Unfortunately this morning there was light misty rain, so everything was wet and considering the camper and cruiser was covered in mud, it was now very wet mud. So you could imagine the pack up, we had to take great care so that we didnt end up covered in mud.
The caretaker came over whilst we were packing up and told us to take our time, and dont worry about the 10 am check out, he didnt expect us to meet it with the rain and wet camper, which was really nice of him.
We were getting fuel and he caught up with us again and gave us a heads up about making sure our windows and taillights were clean, very friendly and helpful gentleman. (I could definitely recommend the caravan park at Leigh Creek $20 per night powered site, and the caretaker is really helpful).
It rained most of the way from Leigh Creek to Hawker, where we stopped for lunch and I managed to get a jar of home made quondong jam (wild peach jam). I will have to let you know what it is like when we get to taste it.
Next stop is Coles at Port Augusta, time for a restock. OUCH!! that hurt, was the first major restock since Warnambool. Then off to the petrol station and double ouch again but both a necessity. At least this time what we bought we can legally take over the SA/NT boarder.
We then decided not to stay the night in Port Augusta, and to try and see how far north we could get today, so off we headed.
We got to the Bookaloo rest area and whilst we were having a cuppa we could see the rain heading our way, but not before we had taken out all the shopping from the car and had been sorting it out whilst waiting for the kettle to boil.
So before James could get a tarp up it had started to rain, so I was madly putting all the shopping inside the camper and car again.
Rain over, I made dinner and then kept sorting out the pantry draw and the pantry crates. James and I had just sat down to a cuppa when Rena cries out mouse, we go nahh cant be, what a mouse on the movie and she goes no on my bed, so in I race and sure enough pesky mouse is on her bed but too fast for me to catch by hand.
So Rena in our bed, and we pull everything out of the camper including the new groceries and try and catch the bloody mouse (mind you it is about 8.30pm by now). Mouse trap set, and finish cuppa. Sure this is a smart mouse, as he evaded us.
Finish cuppa and everything goes back in the camper or gets put in sealed bags in the car, including the fresh bread that he decided he wanted for his dinner. Rena back in bed and us in bed, knackered. Too late to call mum and dad as planned tonight, time for some sleep.
Day 123 - 124 Tuesday 11th - Wednesday 12th June 2013, Location; Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
Tuesday:
Today we awoke to an overcast day. After breakfast we put tarps over the still wet washing in a hope that it might dry during the day whilst we were out driving. It looked like a day for driving rather than walking.
Up to reception to let them know that we were going out driving (a safety precaution up here) and off we headed towards the Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole but not before paying $6 a loaf for bread that had been in the freezer since Sept 2012.
First stop on our drive was The Pinnacles, no sooner had we climbed to the top of the hill and the heavens opened up, so a very quick but careful descent down the hill to the car again. We all got a little bit wet, but was better than coming down the hill on our backsides.
We then continued on the track until we got to the Bolla Bolland Copper Smelter, but due to the fact that it was bucketing down, we opted to stay in the car and view from withing, and take photos very carefully from the car. Would have been a very interesting place to explore in the dry.
Next stop was the Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole, James even had to put it in to low range 1st. We got out the car and walked to the waterhole (dry) and the rumbling from above was getting stronger and louder and we decided to make a quick dash back to the car (I even ran for the first time in a long time) but we all got wet as the heavens had opened up.
We did a quick backtrack and headed back to Arkaroola station, but James had to do some very careful driving in some places.
Once back at Arkaroola we checked back in and got Rena her ice cream before going down and having a look at "Ark" hedge. Mum would just love it here, a geologist dream.
Back at camp the tarps were now full of water, and the clothes were no where near dry and by the time we got the water out of the tarps, there were now even wetter.
Time to cook a cake as Rena was hanging for something sweet to eat. Whilst cooking the cake we could see the clouds closing in again and the storm was getting closer to camp, so we all moved inside and put on a movie for Rena to watch whilst the cake finished cooking in the dream pot.
Whilst we were humped up inside we hear a car pull up and a knock knock on the side of the camper, it was the owners telling us that it was advisable for us to move, as if the creek did flood there would be a 2 meter wall of water coming down it. Told us to move and move now to higher ground.
So you guessed it, pouring rain and we decide that if the owner is telling us to move we should, even though we were along way from the creek, we started to move, put Rena in the car and started the pack up process. It is amazing how fast you can pack up when you really need to.
We moved to higher ground, James put Renas swag in my seat and I walked up that way the swag didnt get wet. All set up and well the rain had stopped and it looked to be clearing up. (And no the creek didnt even get water in it)
We put the kettle on, I iced the cake and we had lamington cake and tea, I then cooked dinner whilst James lit a campfire. I was too cold and tired to sit around the campfire tonight so I went to bed, and it wasnt to long before James joined me. It has been an interesting day today.
(I would have to say that the one bad thing today was the manner in which we were told to move, we were not given any options of where safe ground was, or where we could move to, just to move and move now. The map that they provide you here is absolutely crap, and well the whole place is a bit run down, which is such a shame as it is really a beautiful/awesome spot that has so much potential. What was good 20 years ago is not good now if it hasnt been maintained.)
Wednesday:
Today was again overcast so we packed up and left the camper whilst we went and did the Spriggina Lookout drive. This was a awesome lookout and the geo site of the Spriggina Flounder was really great, it would have taken alot to get that to scale.
Back to the camp and hook up the camper, up to reception and booked out (got my Ark Up shirt) and we hit the road again.
The road from Balcanoona to Copley was interesting, the further west we got the more rain we got and the wetter the road got.
By the time we got to Copley the cruiser and camper were caked in mud. We tried to find the bakery to have a famous quondong pie, but we couldnt find it. So back on the road and headed for Leigh Creek.
We got to Leigh Creek and booked in to the Caravan Park (which is run by the community). What a lovely find, and the caretaker is a bit of a card too. Very friendly. The park is very well set up too.
Got the clothes washed and dried by 6pm (something wrong not up until the late hours of the night washing).
After dinner James and I sat outside and enjoyed a hot chocolate. Was time to reconnect with the world with being out of both phone and net coverage.
When we come out to do the Simpson we are going to do a side trek and revisit Arkaroola and do some of the awesome 4wd tracks out there that we couldnt do this time due to the bad weather. Some of those 4wd tracked deserve more time spent on them. As James said "Next time". :)
Beautiful caravan park, great caretaker, great country feel. Definitely come back to this park when traveling through this way again.
Today we awoke to an overcast day. After breakfast we put tarps over the still wet washing in a hope that it might dry during the day whilst we were out driving. It looked like a day for driving rather than walking.
Up to reception to let them know that we were going out driving (a safety precaution up here) and off we headed towards the Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole but not before paying $6 a loaf for bread that had been in the freezer since Sept 2012.
First stop on our drive was The Pinnacles, no sooner had we climbed to the top of the hill and the heavens opened up, so a very quick but careful descent down the hill to the car again. We all got a little bit wet, but was better than coming down the hill on our backsides.
We then continued on the track until we got to the Bolla Bolland Copper Smelter, but due to the fact that it was bucketing down, we opted to stay in the car and view from withing, and take photos very carefully from the car. Would have been a very interesting place to explore in the dry.
Next stop was the Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole, James even had to put it in to low range 1st. We got out the car and walked to the waterhole (dry) and the rumbling from above was getting stronger and louder and we decided to make a quick dash back to the car (I even ran for the first time in a long time) but we all got wet as the heavens had opened up.
We did a quick backtrack and headed back to Arkaroola station, but James had to do some very careful driving in some places.
Once back at Arkaroola we checked back in and got Rena her ice cream before going down and having a look at "Ark" hedge. Mum would just love it here, a geologist dream.
Back at camp the tarps were now full of water, and the clothes were no where near dry and by the time we got the water out of the tarps, there were now even wetter.
Time to cook a cake as Rena was hanging for something sweet to eat. Whilst cooking the cake we could see the clouds closing in again and the storm was getting closer to camp, so we all moved inside and put on a movie for Rena to watch whilst the cake finished cooking in the dream pot.
Whilst we were humped up inside we hear a car pull up and a knock knock on the side of the camper, it was the owners telling us that it was advisable for us to move, as if the creek did flood there would be a 2 meter wall of water coming down it. Told us to move and move now to higher ground.
So you guessed it, pouring rain and we decide that if the owner is telling us to move we should, even though we were along way from the creek, we started to move, put Rena in the car and started the pack up process. It is amazing how fast you can pack up when you really need to.
We moved to higher ground, James put Renas swag in my seat and I walked up that way the swag didnt get wet. All set up and well the rain had stopped and it looked to be clearing up. (And no the creek didnt even get water in it)
We put the kettle on, I iced the cake and we had lamington cake and tea, I then cooked dinner whilst James lit a campfire. I was too cold and tired to sit around the campfire tonight so I went to bed, and it wasnt to long before James joined me. It has been an interesting day today.
(I would have to say that the one bad thing today was the manner in which we were told to move, we were not given any options of where safe ground was, or where we could move to, just to move and move now. The map that they provide you here is absolutely crap, and well the whole place is a bit run down, which is such a shame as it is really a beautiful/awesome spot that has so much potential. What was good 20 years ago is not good now if it hasnt been maintained.)
Wednesday:
Today was again overcast so we packed up and left the camper whilst we went and did the Spriggina Lookout drive. This was a awesome lookout and the geo site of the Spriggina Flounder was really great, it would have taken alot to get that to scale.
Back to the camp and hook up the camper, up to reception and booked out (got my Ark Up shirt) and we hit the road again.
The road from Balcanoona to Copley was interesting, the further west we got the more rain we got and the wetter the road got.
By the time we got to Copley the cruiser and camper were caked in mud. We tried to find the bakery to have a famous quondong pie, but we couldnt find it. So back on the road and headed for Leigh Creek.
We got to Leigh Creek and booked in to the Caravan Park (which is run by the community). What a lovely find, and the caretaker is a bit of a card too. Very friendly. The park is very well set up too.
Got the clothes washed and dried by 6pm (something wrong not up until the late hours of the night washing).
After dinner James and I sat outside and enjoyed a hot chocolate. Was time to reconnect with the world with being out of both phone and net coverage.
When we come out to do the Simpson we are going to do a side trek and revisit Arkaroola and do some of the awesome 4wd tracks out there that we couldnt do this time due to the bad weather. Some of those 4wd tracked deserve more time spent on them. As James said "Next time". :)
Beautiful caravan park, great caretaker, great country feel. Definitely come back to this park when traveling through this way again.
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