After breakfast and packing up the camper Rena and I headed off up to Tcharkuldu Rock to explore it. There was some really great hidding holes as well as some interesting natural sculptures. Some of the rocks looked like the Devils Marbels formations.
After exploring the rock we headed back to the car whilst trying to escape the never ending flies, one thing that has plagued us has been flies and wind.
We headed to the highway and eastward.
When we past through Wudinna we stoped at a giant granite sculpture dedicated to the agriculturalist. Really well done.
We then hit the road again and called in to the Goyders Monument, we had camped at the monument that was on the eastern side of the Flinders Rangers so was interesting to look at this monument (even if it wasnt on the actual Goyders Line).
I made lunch whilst James squatted the flies. Boy they have been bad, and we escaped in to the car to eat it.
Next stop after lunch was Kimba, we tried to find the Giant Pink Galah, but alas, we haven't found it yet. (Tomorrow), we then headed up to the White's Knob lookout and the iron sculptures of Eyre and his aboriginal tracker. Very well done, worth the look. I had a quick look at the caves, 2 small caves in the hillside.
We then headed back to the Kimba Recreation Reserve and set up camp for the night. What a find, kids playground for Rena, HOT showers ($1 for 3 mins) for me, (YAY a REAL shower), water, toilets, and all free. This town really does welcome RV's.
Well we spent the afternoon relaxing and keeping Rena occupied until it had cooled down enough for her to go play in the playground. James did a tag with me and I came back and cooked dinner, was a novelty tonight, didnt have to fight the elements cooking outside, just had to worry about the flies.
Well after dinner, James and I did the tag team and went and had our showers, OMG it was so good to have a real shower and not have to turn the water on and off, and worry about every mil you were using.
After dinner we got talking to our neighbour, they come from Morayfield, so small world.
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Day 244 - 245 Thursday 10th - Friday 11th October 2013; Location Phildappa Rock
Thursday 10th
What a difference a day can make, today it is overcast and showers, but not to hot, but still cold enough to keep the flies away.
We had slept in to 9am, but with getting use to the change in time zone, and adding daylight savings on to it, and not much sleep the last couple of nights, I think we all needed to sleep in.
Well after we got up, we had a nice relaxing day including a much needed shower, no more prickly heat after the last couple of really hot days.
James and I took turns at exploring the rock. Rena went with James and had a great time exploring Phildappa Rock.
It was afternoon before I climbed up on top, wow, what spectacular views from up on top. It was almost clear, so not to many clouds in the sky, but very windy. I didnt want to get to close to the edge because it was gusting.
This is definately a place that we would want to come back to explore again. It is a free camp, they just ask for a donation, which we did give. Toilet, Covered Picnic Area with light, BBQ and bins. very well laid out.
I cooked dinner just on dark to try and avoid the flies, was good not to have to contend with the flies whilst cooking.
After dinner James and I pulled out the maps and books to try and decide where to go to from here. We also wanted to work out wether it was worth buying another Parks SA Holiday Pass as we were going to go in to Gawler Ranges and maybe some other parks. We decided not to buy one at this point, but still couldnt really decide where to go. We will definately come back to SA for some of our 6 week holidays. There is just so much we still want to see here.
We are going to take it one day at a time, we still have about 6 weeks before we need to be back in Brisbane again, so why rush these things, if we like somewhere we will stay a few extra days, if we don't like it we will move on.
Both Rena & I have lifted spirits now that we have a home date. I will have so much to do when I get home, but really looking forward to being there and seeing my family again especially Leaston and my sooty cat. Missing both of them tremendously.
I then decided to hop the net for a little bit, and hopped on the myswag forum, read a thread which was titled 'Twilight Divorces' and had a good laugh, could relate quite well to some of the stories.
Friday 11th October
Woke up to a beautiful sunny day, hopefully the flies will stay away, but I highly doubt it.
We took our time and packed up before heading out to the Gawler Ranges and to the Organ Pipes, was a good drive but had to open and shut 3 gates on the way in and again on the way out.
Once we got to the Organ Pipes carpark, we took the easy 500 meter walk up to the Organ Pipes, it is amazing what nature has created.
After doing the walk and returning to the car, I decided to make lunch, but as the flies were that bad and intent on carrying us away, we decided that I would make lunch in the car, so at least we could attempt to eat lunch without the addition of flies.
We then headed back out of the Gawler Ranges and back to Minnipa, what a wonderful small community, we called in to the store and bought some bread and ice creams, and as I was paying for it, James asked if there was anywhere in town we could get water, and she let James have 20ltrs for free. Which was really nice of her.
We then headed down the road a little and in to the 2nd hand bookshop, so now James and I have something to read and they gave Rena a book to. :)
We then went and looked at the Concrete Crappa before heading back down highway number 1.
We then took the short dive out to Tchackuldu Rock. WOW what another amazing rock formation. Some of the rocks look like the Devils Marbels.
We drove around the rock looking at the camping options, we stopped and had a look at the original hut that has been restored, and then did the short drive down to the Tchackuldu Dam, this was the original water supply for the township. But has not been used for quite some time, James actually drove around the inside of the dam, it is now very very dry.
We headed back to the hut and set up camp near it as there was a nice flat spot next to an old concrete slab, perfect for us to set up next to. The hut was another very interesting find, it has a table and seats, as well as a visitor book (well pages) and someone had left some native flowers on the table along with some current womens magazines. All of the walls had been written on, I dont know if I agree with it, think I prefer to sign a visitor book to deface an historic building.
We set up camp, once again the flies were REALLY BAD, so we sat inside and had our cuppa as you couldn't even drink your tea without swallowing flies.
I waited until just on dark to cook dinner, and a fruit cake, getting good at cooking these cakes in the dream pot. mmm mmm. I think the fact that it wasnt blowing a gale made such a difference with the cooking of the cake.
What a difference a day can make, today it is overcast and showers, but not to hot, but still cold enough to keep the flies away.
We had slept in to 9am, but with getting use to the change in time zone, and adding daylight savings on to it, and not much sleep the last couple of nights, I think we all needed to sleep in.
Well after we got up, we had a nice relaxing day including a much needed shower, no more prickly heat after the last couple of really hot days.
James and I took turns at exploring the rock. Rena went with James and had a great time exploring Phildappa Rock.
It was afternoon before I climbed up on top, wow, what spectacular views from up on top. It was almost clear, so not to many clouds in the sky, but very windy. I didnt want to get to close to the edge because it was gusting.
This is definately a place that we would want to come back to explore again. It is a free camp, they just ask for a donation, which we did give. Toilet, Covered Picnic Area with light, BBQ and bins. very well laid out.
I cooked dinner just on dark to try and avoid the flies, was good not to have to contend with the flies whilst cooking.
After dinner James and I pulled out the maps and books to try and decide where to go to from here. We also wanted to work out wether it was worth buying another Parks SA Holiday Pass as we were going to go in to Gawler Ranges and maybe some other parks. We decided not to buy one at this point, but still couldnt really decide where to go. We will definately come back to SA for some of our 6 week holidays. There is just so much we still want to see here.
We are going to take it one day at a time, we still have about 6 weeks before we need to be back in Brisbane again, so why rush these things, if we like somewhere we will stay a few extra days, if we don't like it we will move on.
Both Rena & I have lifted spirits now that we have a home date. I will have so much to do when I get home, but really looking forward to being there and seeing my family again especially Leaston and my sooty cat. Missing both of them tremendously.
I then decided to hop the net for a little bit, and hopped on the myswag forum, read a thread which was titled 'Twilight Divorces' and had a good laugh, could relate quite well to some of the stories.
Friday 11th October
Woke up to a beautiful sunny day, hopefully the flies will stay away, but I highly doubt it.
We took our time and packed up before heading out to the Gawler Ranges and to the Organ Pipes, was a good drive but had to open and shut 3 gates on the way in and again on the way out.
Once we got to the Organ Pipes carpark, we took the easy 500 meter walk up to the Organ Pipes, it is amazing what nature has created.
After doing the walk and returning to the car, I decided to make lunch, but as the flies were that bad and intent on carrying us away, we decided that I would make lunch in the car, so at least we could attempt to eat lunch without the addition of flies.
We then headed back out of the Gawler Ranges and back to Minnipa, what a wonderful small community, we called in to the store and bought some bread and ice creams, and as I was paying for it, James asked if there was anywhere in town we could get water, and she let James have 20ltrs for free. Which was really nice of her.
We then headed down the road a little and in to the 2nd hand bookshop, so now James and I have something to read and they gave Rena a book to. :)
We then went and looked at the Concrete Crappa before heading back down highway number 1.
We then took the short dive out to Tchackuldu Rock. WOW what another amazing rock formation. Some of the rocks look like the Devils Marbels.
We drove around the rock looking at the camping options, we stopped and had a look at the original hut that has been restored, and then did the short drive down to the Tchackuldu Dam, this was the original water supply for the township. But has not been used for quite some time, James actually drove around the inside of the dam, it is now very very dry.
We headed back to the hut and set up camp near it as there was a nice flat spot next to an old concrete slab, perfect for us to set up next to. The hut was another very interesting find, it has a table and seats, as well as a visitor book (well pages) and someone had left some native flowers on the table along with some current womens magazines. All of the walls had been written on, I dont know if I agree with it, think I prefer to sign a visitor book to deface an historic building.
We set up camp, once again the flies were REALLY BAD, so we sat inside and had our cuppa as you couldn't even drink your tea without swallowing flies.
I waited until just on dark to cook dinner, and a fruit cake, getting good at cooking these cakes in the dream pot. mmm mmm. I think the fact that it wasnt blowing a gale made such a difference with the cooking of the cake.
Day 243 Wednesday 9th October 2013; Location - Kidnippy Rest Area
We set the alarm for 5.30 am in hope to get the camper packed up before the predicted storm front hit at sunrise.
Unfortunately for us the storm front hit at about midnight, and the wind really picked up, so we didnt get much sleep as Rena carried on like a pork chop every time we had a big gust of wind.
So at 5.30 am we turned off the alarm before it went off and got up and had breakfast in the dark, we had mostly packed up the camper at sunrise, but the flies were out in force, I couldnt breath as they were in my mouth, ears, eyes GRRRR HATE FLIES!!!!!!!
Packed up and on the road (before 7am) we headed east and got to Penang and stopped to use the facilities then we decided to do a short backtrack to go to Cactus Beach.
This was a good gravel road, and just before the pink lake there was a sign, slow down our wildlife is slow. There was lizards (mostly shinglebacks) all over the road. James stopped and picked one up and I took a picture of the beautiful lizard. :) We have now seen many pink lakes, they are an amazing sight to see.
We got out to the Port LeHunt Jetty, what a little gem, there was a sign strictly no camping, but there was a caravan and a tent there. Nice netted swimming area, tragically years ago a 10 yr old boy had lost his life at this point from a shark, so the local area made the area safe to swim by netting it.
We didnt go over to Cactus Beach, just looked from afar as it was blowing a gale and threatening to rain. More lizards on the way out. Cute :). The backpackers that were packing up their tent at the jetty came flying past us at a 100 miles an hour only to have to slam on the brakes when a car in front of them slammed on their brakes to miss a lizard, didnt slow them down one bit, overtook the other car and recommenced their dash to the finish line. Idiots, accident waiting to happen.
We headed back to Highway No1 and through the quarantine checkpoint near Ceduna. I hopped out the car, handed over our last apple and avocado from the fridge, and he said 'off you go before you get blown away', thankfully didnt have to open the camper or pantry up only the fridge.
We then drove through Ceduna and down to the turnoff for Streaky Bay. I wanted to see what this side of the Eyre Penninsula looked like. Very rural with lots of wheat/grain farms along the way.
When we got to Streaky Bay, it was very windy, but much cooler, the cold front had already hit here, so we had some reprieve from the previous days heat. We pulled up at the Apex Park and had lunch, once again eating it in the car as the flies were to bad to be able to eat outside.
Used the dump point, paid for 20ltrs of water at the dispenser and off we went again.
We then headed back to Highway No1 at Poochera and headed out to Phildappa Rock to set up camp for the night.
When we got to Phildappa Rock, what an amazing place, where you are approaching it it looks so awesome, and the wave formations. We got out of the car and well the cold front had not yet hit here and it was about 40 degrees and the flies were really bad.
We set up the camper and because the flies were so bad, couldnt sit outside, so we were all humped up in the camper waiting for the cooler weather or dark so we could venture outside without being carried away by the flies. James was the only one who could cope with the flies so he was the only one venturing outside to do anything. Thankfully no bees today.
Well I think that the lack of sleep over the past couple of nights, the heat, and the flies broke me, and I cracked it. Both Rena and I had sweat pouring out of us. It was just so hot and there was no relief. I was ready to get in the car, unhook the camper and drive off on my own.
Thankfully I lied down and must of had a micro nap as after about 10 min lie down I felt much better, so after sunset I went out and cooked dinner, the cold front finally came through and things cooled down a little bit.
Unfortunately for us the storm front hit at about midnight, and the wind really picked up, so we didnt get much sleep as Rena carried on like a pork chop every time we had a big gust of wind.
So at 5.30 am we turned off the alarm before it went off and got up and had breakfast in the dark, we had mostly packed up the camper at sunrise, but the flies were out in force, I couldnt breath as they were in my mouth, ears, eyes GRRRR HATE FLIES!!!!!!!
Packed up and on the road (before 7am) we headed east and got to Penang and stopped to use the facilities then we decided to do a short backtrack to go to Cactus Beach.
This was a good gravel road, and just before the pink lake there was a sign, slow down our wildlife is slow. There was lizards (mostly shinglebacks) all over the road. James stopped and picked one up and I took a picture of the beautiful lizard. :) We have now seen many pink lakes, they are an amazing sight to see.
We got out to the Port LeHunt Jetty, what a little gem, there was a sign strictly no camping, but there was a caravan and a tent there. Nice netted swimming area, tragically years ago a 10 yr old boy had lost his life at this point from a shark, so the local area made the area safe to swim by netting it.
We didnt go over to Cactus Beach, just looked from afar as it was blowing a gale and threatening to rain. More lizards on the way out. Cute :). The backpackers that were packing up their tent at the jetty came flying past us at a 100 miles an hour only to have to slam on the brakes when a car in front of them slammed on their brakes to miss a lizard, didnt slow them down one bit, overtook the other car and recommenced their dash to the finish line. Idiots, accident waiting to happen.
We headed back to Highway No1 and through the quarantine checkpoint near Ceduna. I hopped out the car, handed over our last apple and avocado from the fridge, and he said 'off you go before you get blown away', thankfully didnt have to open the camper or pantry up only the fridge.
We then drove through Ceduna and down to the turnoff for Streaky Bay. I wanted to see what this side of the Eyre Penninsula looked like. Very rural with lots of wheat/grain farms along the way.
When we got to Streaky Bay, it was very windy, but much cooler, the cold front had already hit here, so we had some reprieve from the previous days heat. We pulled up at the Apex Park and had lunch, once again eating it in the car as the flies were to bad to be able to eat outside.
Used the dump point, paid for 20ltrs of water at the dispenser and off we went again.
We then headed back to Highway No1 at Poochera and headed out to Phildappa Rock to set up camp for the night.
When we got to Phildappa Rock, what an amazing place, where you are approaching it it looks so awesome, and the wave formations. We got out of the car and well the cold front had not yet hit here and it was about 40 degrees and the flies were really bad.
We set up the camper and because the flies were so bad, couldnt sit outside, so we were all humped up in the camper waiting for the cooler weather or dark so we could venture outside without being carried away by the flies. James was the only one who could cope with the flies so he was the only one venturing outside to do anything. Thankfully no bees today.
Well I think that the lack of sleep over the past couple of nights, the heat, and the flies broke me, and I cracked it. Both Rena and I had sweat pouring out of us. It was just so hot and there was no relief. I was ready to get in the car, unhook the camper and drive off on my own.
Thankfully I lied down and must of had a micro nap as after about 10 min lie down I felt much better, so after sunset I went out and cooked dinner, the cold front finally came through and things cooled down a little bit.
 | |
| Rena and James with the shingleback lizard |
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| Port LeHunte Jetty |
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| The pink lake |
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| the view from our camp at Phildappa Rock |
Day 242 Tuesday 8th October 2013; Location - West Eucla Bight
What a beautiful day if it was not for all the flies and the wind.
We packed up camp and headed back to Highway No1 and headed into Eucla and crossed over from WA into SA.
The boarder check here is for people travelling west we dont have to be ispected until we get to Ceduna as we are travelling eastward. Fresh fruit and vegis for a couple more days yet. :)
We stopped at the service station and whilst James frequented the facilities Rena got to play on the playground where there was a very old tractor, and all the play equipment looked like it had been there since I was a kid. There was also the Eucla Whale, a big whale at that welcoming people to visit Albany.
We then headed down to the Old Telegraph Station ruins to have a look, we got out the car and instantly we were hit with the very hot dry wind. Was so hot it was burning your eyes, and yes there were thousands of flies.
We had a look at the ruins. I would imagine that it will not be long at all before the ruins are overtaken by the sand dunes. Makes you wonder if they will take away some of the sand to keep it as a tourist attraction or let nature take its course.
It is hard to believe that white man and the introduction of rabbits could cause such devistation, apparently there was a rabbit plague that ate all the dune vegetation and cause the dunes to destabalise and this is the result many years later.
We hopped back in the car, was nice to be out of the wind and flies and in the comfort of air conditioning again.
Back to highway no1 and on to the Great Australian Bight were we called in to the three lookouts, it was just so hot and windy and the flies. Yeah I know I am going on a bit about the flies, but OMG they are so bad.
We got to the Kidnippy Rest Area and tried to find a spot out of the wind with some shade, but didnt have much success. We set up camp, and we went inside as the flies and march flies were so bad you just couldnt be outside.
Not long after we were having a cuppa (thanks James for putting up with the flies and making me a cuppa) and I heard a buzzing sound and thought it might be march flies swarming us, but unfortunately it was bees swarming, they had invaded the sink to get to water and were starting to cover the canvas on the camper and trying to get inside as well. Well as I am alergic to bees, so my wonderful hubby who is not alergic to bees went outside to try and persuade the bees to move on. All he had was a can of Off! and a tea towel :).
Well we were all very glad to see sunset, it was still stinking hot, but at least the flies had gorn away, James cooked dinner, but was invaded by flying ants attracted to the light.
I peeled all the vegis inside as I was going to make a vegetable lasagna and vegi bake to freeze to use up the last of the fresh vegis, but when I went outside to try and cook them I failed miserably, the flying ants just got in to everything, so I bagged it all up and put it in the freezer, as I could take frozen vegis across the boarder.
I did manage to cook the corned beef with only a few flying ants involved. I managed to cook it in the dream pot, love my dream pot, has made such a difference on this trip.
Hopped on the net and was suppose to of got to between 39 and 41 today and I believe it, felt hotter. No air conditioning in the camper trailer, oh yes i do, its called open all the windows and let the hot air blow through :) ahhh they joys of camping.
We packed up camp and headed back to Highway No1 and headed into Eucla and crossed over from WA into SA.
The boarder check here is for people travelling west we dont have to be ispected until we get to Ceduna as we are travelling eastward. Fresh fruit and vegis for a couple more days yet. :)
We stopped at the service station and whilst James frequented the facilities Rena got to play on the playground where there was a very old tractor, and all the play equipment looked like it had been there since I was a kid. There was also the Eucla Whale, a big whale at that welcoming people to visit Albany.
We then headed down to the Old Telegraph Station ruins to have a look, we got out the car and instantly we were hit with the very hot dry wind. Was so hot it was burning your eyes, and yes there were thousands of flies.
We had a look at the ruins. I would imagine that it will not be long at all before the ruins are overtaken by the sand dunes. Makes you wonder if they will take away some of the sand to keep it as a tourist attraction or let nature take its course.
It is hard to believe that white man and the introduction of rabbits could cause such devistation, apparently there was a rabbit plague that ate all the dune vegetation and cause the dunes to destabalise and this is the result many years later.
We hopped back in the car, was nice to be out of the wind and flies and in the comfort of air conditioning again.
Back to highway no1 and on to the Great Australian Bight were we called in to the three lookouts, it was just so hot and windy and the flies. Yeah I know I am going on a bit about the flies, but OMG they are so bad.
We got to the Kidnippy Rest Area and tried to find a spot out of the wind with some shade, but didnt have much success. We set up camp, and we went inside as the flies and march flies were so bad you just couldnt be outside.
Not long after we were having a cuppa (thanks James for putting up with the flies and making me a cuppa) and I heard a buzzing sound and thought it might be march flies swarming us, but unfortunately it was bees swarming, they had invaded the sink to get to water and were starting to cover the canvas on the camper and trying to get inside as well. Well as I am alergic to bees, so my wonderful hubby who is not alergic to bees went outside to try and persuade the bees to move on. All he had was a can of Off! and a tea towel :).
Well we were all very glad to see sunset, it was still stinking hot, but at least the flies had gorn away, James cooked dinner, but was invaded by flying ants attracted to the light.
I peeled all the vegis inside as I was going to make a vegetable lasagna and vegi bake to freeze to use up the last of the fresh vegis, but when I went outside to try and cook them I failed miserably, the flying ants just got in to everything, so I bagged it all up and put it in the freezer, as I could take frozen vegis across the boarder.
I did manage to cook the corned beef with only a few flying ants involved. I managed to cook it in the dream pot, love my dream pot, has made such a difference on this trip.
Hopped on the net and was suppose to of got to between 39 and 41 today and I believe it, felt hotter. No air conditioning in the camper trailer, oh yes i do, its called open all the windows and let the hot air blow through :) ahhh they joys of camping.
Day 241 Monday 7th October 2013; Location - Moonera Tank
We seem to be waking up earlier each day, might have something to do with heading east :)
Packed up camp and eastward we go. Saw one lone Emu and some lizards as the landscaped changed as we crossed the Nullabor.
We came down of the tableland and onto the plains. What a change in scenery.
We decided that we would take a sidetrack and go down and have a look at the West Eucla Bight to see if it was good enough to camp at.
We got to the GPS point and there was 2 tracks one to the left and one to the right. We decided to take the track to the left. It didnt go to far, and at the dead end there was a trap for feral birds, so we decided that we wouldnt camp here for the night as there wasnt anywhere suitable.
We then went back and took the track to the right, glad we had a camper trailer and wouldnt like to see the bush car wash job on a caravan.
When we got to the point where the track went between the 2 sand dunes we picked our spot and set up camp. The beach here was beautiful. There was alot of sea weed on the beach, but wasnt stinking to bad at all which was surprising. As with most of the places we have been in WA since leaving Broome, it is very windy and a plethora of flies, so I am glad that we are between the dunes, it is still windy but at least we are getting a little bit of protection, enough to be able to camp here.
Later in the day we were surprised as a caravan came past us and set up camp up the track a bit, hate to see the damage to the van from the bush car wash.
I lost my patience trying to cook dinner, outside in the elements again. I am so over trying to cook outside in the weather, rain hail or shine I have to cook outdoors, the attempts I have gone to to try and keep this family happily fed. As I keep mumbling to myself 'Im over it', even Rena is now imitating me, so I think I am saying it way too often.
I haven't had any wine or anything to drink since Exmouth, so that isn't helping either, such a tease when I have a couple of dozen bottles of red sitting at home too ;(
Tomorrow we head further east. James is taking his time sticking to 80 lkms an hour, so it is going to be a long trip home. I think the thought of all the work I have to do (and him too and finding a new job) might have something to do with him not wanting to rush it. :)
But at the end of the day, we are still living the dream.
Packed up camp and eastward we go. Saw one lone Emu and some lizards as the landscaped changed as we crossed the Nullabor.
We came down of the tableland and onto the plains. What a change in scenery.
We decided that we would take a sidetrack and go down and have a look at the West Eucla Bight to see if it was good enough to camp at.
We got to the GPS point and there was 2 tracks one to the left and one to the right. We decided to take the track to the left. It didnt go to far, and at the dead end there was a trap for feral birds, so we decided that we wouldnt camp here for the night as there wasnt anywhere suitable.
We then went back and took the track to the right, glad we had a camper trailer and wouldnt like to see the bush car wash job on a caravan.
When we got to the point where the track went between the 2 sand dunes we picked our spot and set up camp. The beach here was beautiful. There was alot of sea weed on the beach, but wasnt stinking to bad at all which was surprising. As with most of the places we have been in WA since leaving Broome, it is very windy and a plethora of flies, so I am glad that we are between the dunes, it is still windy but at least we are getting a little bit of protection, enough to be able to camp here.
Later in the day we were surprised as a caravan came past us and set up camp up the track a bit, hate to see the damage to the van from the bush car wash.
I lost my patience trying to cook dinner, outside in the elements again. I am so over trying to cook outside in the weather, rain hail or shine I have to cook outdoors, the attempts I have gone to to try and keep this family happily fed. As I keep mumbling to myself 'Im over it', even Rena is now imitating me, so I think I am saying it way too often.
I haven't had any wine or anything to drink since Exmouth, so that isn't helping either, such a tease when I have a couple of dozen bottles of red sitting at home too ;(
Tomorrow we head further east. James is taking his time sticking to 80 lkms an hour, so it is going to be a long trip home. I think the thought of all the work I have to do (and him too and finding a new job) might have something to do with him not wanting to rush it. :)
But at the end of the day, we are still living the dream.
Day 240 Sunday 6th October 2013; Location - Newman Rocks
Not a bad spot to wake up to, far enough away from the road not to be woken up by any road noise.
however, FLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rena woke up early with it being her birthday, and she had great delight in opening her presents. She got a hobby horse that is a pink unicorn pony that neighs and makes noises, the Littlest Pet Shop Zoo, (loves LPS), a fury friends kitten that she has named princess which purrs and makes noises when you pat it (now goes with the cat that Aunty Jenny bought her for Christmas) absolutely loves both. 2 paint books and and new camp chair, so we now have one very happy little girl.
We took our time packing up after breakfast to let Rena have some time to play with her new toys.
We stopped just after 1 pm at Moonera Tank and after we set up camp, I made a little birthday lunch for Rena with lots of good party food, and she had a chocolate mud cake with princesses, crowns, ponys and butterflies on top. I made a lattice biscuit vanilla slice for her too but she didnt like it (so more for James and I to eat)
All in all she had a really good birthday lunch. So later in the afternoon James and I took turns at taking her for a walk to burn off some of the excess energy from all that party food.
We had an easy late dinner as we were all pretty full after Renas birthday party. Once Rena was in bed James and I sat outside for while and enjoyed the evening before it chilled down to much. It was such a nice night.
however, FLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rena woke up early with it being her birthday, and she had great delight in opening her presents. She got a hobby horse that is a pink unicorn pony that neighs and makes noises, the Littlest Pet Shop Zoo, (loves LPS), a fury friends kitten that she has named princess which purrs and makes noises when you pat it (now goes with the cat that Aunty Jenny bought her for Christmas) absolutely loves both. 2 paint books and and new camp chair, so we now have one very happy little girl.
We took our time packing up after breakfast to let Rena have some time to play with her new toys.
We stopped just after 1 pm at Moonera Tank and after we set up camp, I made a little birthday lunch for Rena with lots of good party food, and she had a chocolate mud cake with princesses, crowns, ponys and butterflies on top. I made a lattice biscuit vanilla slice for her too but she didnt like it (so more for James and I to eat)
All in all she had a really good birthday lunch. So later in the afternoon James and I took turns at taking her for a walk to burn off some of the excess energy from all that party food.
We had an easy late dinner as we were all pretty full after Renas birthday party. Once Rena was in bed James and I sat outside for while and enjoyed the evening before it chilled down to much. It was such a nice night.
Day 239 Saturday 5th October 2013; Location - Kumarl Siding
Up early and on the road reasonably early. I think Rena and I are really looking forward to heading home, on the other hand I dont think that James is.
We called in to Noresman, what a quaint little town, with lots of artwork around the town. We called in to the IGA and I got a cake (choc mud cake Rena's fav) and some stuff for Rena's birthday tomorrow.
We then went to the tourist information centre to get some info on crossing the Nullabor. Very friendly staff member, he was new and one of the people there was getting very stroppy with him because he wanted a refund for a pass and didnt want to fill out any paper work, he kept saying 'the OTHER person does it for me all the time, she just does it all for me and gives me my money back just like that', well to the grumpy traveler, GRRR to you. Most of the people who work in the tourist info centres are volunteers, as is the case at Norseman, the guy was new and was trying his best, and this guy was so rude, just because he had changed his mind and didnt want the pass anymore, GRRR to you.
We then went and checked out the Norseman Horse sculptures and then the Camel sculptures before heading to the petrol station to top up the tank. Got to love long range fuel tanks, hurts when you fill them right up, but it means that we have been able to fill up when cheap and drive past the expensive fuel, which will be the case crossing the Nullabor, wont need to fuel up again until we are well inside SA.
It has been really interesting watching the changing landscapes as we have traversed WA, especially all the wildflowers, it will now be interesting to see how the landscape changes as we cross the Nullabor.
We hit the road again and got as far as Newman Rocks and went to check them out, lots of interesting rocks, but not suitable for a camper trailer as very open, so we decided to head back to the main campground and set up camp there as there was a table and a fire.
After we had set up camp, James lit the fire so that we could get some coals going, Lamb Shanks in the camp over for dinner tonight, mm mmmm.
Camp oven on, and the lamb shanks on a nice slow cook I made a vanilla slice (lattice biscuit type) for Rena's party tomorrow. Got to love no cook recipes. I wrapped the spuds and sweet potato and onions in foil and we threw them in the coals as well, so was a nice easy dinner tonight.
There was alot of flies so we waited until well after dark before we ate (gave the lamb shanks more time to cook) it was nice to eat without fighting the flies for my food.
We ended up washing up tonight instead of in the morning (normally do this to conserve water) as I didn't want to have to contend with the flies in the morning.
We called in to Noresman, what a quaint little town, with lots of artwork around the town. We called in to the IGA and I got a cake (choc mud cake Rena's fav) and some stuff for Rena's birthday tomorrow.
We then went to the tourist information centre to get some info on crossing the Nullabor. Very friendly staff member, he was new and one of the people there was getting very stroppy with him because he wanted a refund for a pass and didnt want to fill out any paper work, he kept saying 'the OTHER person does it for me all the time, she just does it all for me and gives me my money back just like that', well to the grumpy traveler, GRRR to you. Most of the people who work in the tourist info centres are volunteers, as is the case at Norseman, the guy was new and was trying his best, and this guy was so rude, just because he had changed his mind and didnt want the pass anymore, GRRR to you.
We then went and checked out the Norseman Horse sculptures and then the Camel sculptures before heading to the petrol station to top up the tank. Got to love long range fuel tanks, hurts when you fill them right up, but it means that we have been able to fill up when cheap and drive past the expensive fuel, which will be the case crossing the Nullabor, wont need to fuel up again until we are well inside SA.
It has been really interesting watching the changing landscapes as we have traversed WA, especially all the wildflowers, it will now be interesting to see how the landscape changes as we cross the Nullabor.
We hit the road again and got as far as Newman Rocks and went to check them out, lots of interesting rocks, but not suitable for a camper trailer as very open, so we decided to head back to the main campground and set up camp there as there was a table and a fire.
After we had set up camp, James lit the fire so that we could get some coals going, Lamb Shanks in the camp over for dinner tonight, mm mmmm.
Camp oven on, and the lamb shanks on a nice slow cook I made a vanilla slice (lattice biscuit type) for Rena's party tomorrow. Got to love no cook recipes. I wrapped the spuds and sweet potato and onions in foil and we threw them in the coals as well, so was a nice easy dinner tonight.
There was alot of flies so we waited until well after dark before we ate (gave the lamb shanks more time to cook) it was nice to eat without fighting the flies for my food.
We ended up washing up tonight instead of in the morning (normally do this to conserve water) as I didn't want to have to contend with the flies in the morning.
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