From there we headed to Erldunda for a night in a hotel, burgers, fish and chips, beer and pool. Only on the way out did the barman tell us about the 1.4m deadly snake found in the bar three nights earlier, by a two year old.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Across the border
Shortly after Marla the boys conceded a break in their programming to enjoy the novelty of another border crossing. This one a little more tasteful than the previous, a giant Dunlop tyre welcoming Victorians to SA.
From there we headed to Erldunda for a night in a hotel, burgers, fish and chips, beer and pool. Only on the way out did the barman tell us about the 1.4m deadly snake found in the bar three nights earlier, by a two year old.
From there we headed to Erldunda for a night in a hotel, burgers, fish and chips, beer and pool. Only on the way out did the barman tell us about the 1.4m deadly snake found in the bar three nights earlier, by a two year old.
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Thank you
Thanks to everyone who sent lovely emails, comments and texts - it gave us much to smile about.
Today I am feeling thankful for many things (see list below) - staying in Coober Pedy had a positive influence on our spiritual side. Matt's theory for why there is a church in every third underground home is that opal mining requires all the help and faith a person can get.
1) It has not rained while we have set up or taken down a camp site.
2) children still laughing at our bad jokes
3) no safety equipment has been needed yet (car and occupants acting in reliable manner).
4) we are all healthy and uninjured (no scurvy, snake bites or tropical ulcers).
5) I can still have coffee, alcohol, chocolate, hot showers, and read the paper, all while being in the middle of nowhere.
6) water (for drinking, and for swimming).
7) Matt's excellent long distance driving skills, and cheeky sense of humour.
8) iThings. For finding out weather forecasts, amenities at next destination, GPS mud maps, phone/Internet/camera, children's entertainment..
9) sunglasses
Next post will be back to complaining.
NB. Incase you are wondering who is writing blog posts : if one line or less = M, if many lines, sentences with more than 10 words, with brackets and dot dot dots = P.
You'll be able to tell after awhile.
Today I am feeling thankful for many things (see list below) - staying in Coober Pedy had a positive influence on our spiritual side. Matt's theory for why there is a church in every third underground home is that opal mining requires all the help and faith a person can get.
1) It has not rained while we have set up or taken down a camp site.
2) children still laughing at our bad jokes
3) no safety equipment has been needed yet (car and occupants acting in reliable manner).
4) we are all healthy and uninjured (no scurvy, snake bites or tropical ulcers).
5) I can still have coffee, alcohol, chocolate, hot showers, and read the paper, all while being in the middle of nowhere.
6) water (for drinking, and for swimming).
7) Matt's excellent long distance driving skills, and cheeky sense of humour.
8) iThings. For finding out weather forecasts, amenities at next destination, GPS mud maps, phone/Internet/camera, children's entertainment..
9) sunglasses
Next post will be back to complaining.
NB. Incase you are wondering who is writing blog posts : if one line or less = M, if many lines, sentences with more than 10 words, with brackets and dot dot dots = P.
You'll be able to tell after awhile.
The Middle of Nowhere. 18/10
"The sheer monotony of it is interesting in itself.." says Matt.
It is actually quite beautiful, even more so when you realise you are driving along massive ripples in red sandy desert (disguised by low scrub and the very occasional tree).
Tuesday (18/10) was a 400+ km drive to Coober Pedy via Willam Creek. First stop Lake Eyre South - kids not fooled by white shimmering in the distance. Next stop Margaret Siding. The site of a crumbling railway building where my 2WD car broke down in the middle of a scorching December day in 1997. I shocked myself by feeling a rush of emotions long suppressed - fear, helplessness, and gross irresponsibility (at being in the desert relying on machine I don't really understand..). Surely everyone has had moments like this in their early 20's? As we hopped back in the car, Matt 'tried' to turn the ignition key, looking at me in horror..
Next stop, Coward Springs! This oasis was only 10km further down the Oodnadatta Track. (Photos to be uploaded in next few days - my IT guy is on "manyana" time)
As long as I have known him, M has done his best work after 5.30pm when all sane people have packed up and gone home.. (see photo of our tyre tracks in a red sandy hill a few hundred metres OFF the Oodnadatta track when no other car seen for the last hour..). As usual the kids barely noticed potential disaster, only briefly looking up from their current favorite iPad movie - Jimmy Neutron - Boy Genius.
The photo of M at the William Creek Roadhouse was taken before testing 4WD limits..
Finally made it to Coober Pedy for another glorious sunset. Stayed in an underground hotel room where opals had been found. Boys start 'seeing' precious stones everywhere they turn... (more photos to follow)
It is actually quite beautiful, even more so when you realise you are driving along massive ripples in red sandy desert (disguised by low scrub and the very occasional tree).
Tuesday (18/10) was a 400+ km drive to Coober Pedy via Willam Creek. First stop Lake Eyre South - kids not fooled by white shimmering in the distance. Next stop Margaret Siding. The site of a crumbling railway building where my 2WD car broke down in the middle of a scorching December day in 1997. I shocked myself by feeling a rush of emotions long suppressed - fear, helplessness, and gross irresponsibility (at being in the desert relying on machine I don't really understand..). Surely everyone has had moments like this in their early 20's? As we hopped back in the car, Matt 'tried' to turn the ignition key, looking at me in horror..
Next stop, Coward Springs! This oasis was only 10km further down the Oodnadatta Track. (Photos to be uploaded in next few days - my IT guy is on "manyana" time)
As long as I have known him, M has done his best work after 5.30pm when all sane people have packed up and gone home.. (see photo of our tyre tracks in a red sandy hill a few hundred metres OFF the Oodnadatta track when no other car seen for the last hour..). As usual the kids barely noticed potential disaster, only briefly looking up from their current favorite iPad movie - Jimmy Neutron - Boy Genius.
The photo of M at the William Creek Roadhouse was taken before testing 4WD limits..
Finally made it to Coober Pedy for another glorious sunset. Stayed in an underground hotel room where opals had been found. Boys start 'seeing' precious stones everywhere they turn... (more photos to follow)
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
More about Marree.. 17/10
After leaving Wilpena pound on Monday morning we headed north through Blinman - a very cute outback town with an artsy cafe and proper food. We'd just eaten mounds of pancakes with our Canadian imported maple syrup, so just had icypoles on the side of the road. What a waste of the last good food opportunity! Heading west through to Parachilna was spectacular gorges that made us feel a bit dizzy with all that angled rock. Then nothing. The start of the big flat nothing. The boys asked if we could turn around and go back to Melbourne (but via the Mulwala mini golf on the Murray river first..). We told them they had to trust us, that it would be worth forging ahead..
Our plan to camp in the bush - a creek bed on the side of the road somewhere near Marree - went horribly wrong as I was attacked by a thousand biting ants that Matt had just stirred up. We scurried back to the town camp ground with the stench of Formic acid filling the car (apologies to those who only wanted the romanticised version of events..). Putting up the tent in 15knot wind and cooking dinner before dark was a bit "challenging", but the reward of an eerily still, big-sky sunset was sweet.
(photos not in order for some strange reason..)
Our plan to camp in the bush - a creek bed on the side of the road somewhere near Marree - went horribly wrong as I was attacked by a thousand biting ants that Matt had just stirred up. We scurried back to the town camp ground with the stench of Formic acid filling the car (apologies to those who only wanted the romanticised version of events..). Putting up the tent in 15knot wind and cooking dinner before dark was a bit "challenging", but the reward of an eerily still, big-sky sunset was sweet.
(photos not in order for some strange reason..)
Road to Marree, Monday 17th Oct.
We have well and truly left behind the gorgeous gorges of the Flinders Ranges.. The most exciting thing on the landscape dotted with salt bushes now is a communication tower. 
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