Perth via Darwin Part 3

25^th July Day 7

 Leaving Alice Springs after breakfast and a hunt for the caravan keys only to find them hung up in their place, should we be worried. Anyway we off to Wycliff well Caravan park the capital of UFO’s. invasions. Taking heaps of photos of murals painted eveywhere But let me not get ahead of myself.

 On our journey towards there we stopped off at the Tropic of Capricorn and took photos . It’s also a free over night camp site and was interesting seeing various campers in their setups. Back on the road and find it most intrigueing with the speed limit. Some places it has signs go as fast as  you wish and other signs are 130k’s and the funny thing is everybody behaves themselves on the road. There are road signs such as buckle up and distances between to next town as well as Darwin.

 We arrived at Airlaron a Aboriginal town with most interesting sculptures presenting that area. One can see quite a distance off of the warrior on the hill protecting his village and below the woman and child with lizard. Leaving there our next stop was Ti Tree where we had our morning cuppa and a walk around. On the sign of the garage was “The most central pub in Australia”. Back in the car and our next stop was our night stay at Wycliff Well Caravan Park. Got our caravan parked had lunch then decided to visit “Devils Marbles” 28 k’s from here.

 On arriving there was a sight to behold. It’s amazing how boulders can balance upon each other the way they do. Here too is a overnight  campers site with a honesty box. We were amazed at how many people were there for the night all well set up with all their wonderful modern day camping quipment. This brought back a thought to our ancestors and how they must have struggled in this dreadful heat and without all the wonderful emenities we have today. I sulute them and give thanks for all their hard work in those days. We drove around looking and taking photos of thes magnificient rock formation of granite. This site is an Aboriginal site where it’s  known for their dreams and secrets also a sacred place for them. Each place we go to here the wonderful stories of the past and present is so evident and truly inspirational too. One cannot compare the modern lifestyle to the outback it has a beauty all of its own. We left this place with a heart of gratitude and back to the camp to enjoy a restful afternoon and a good clean up of the caravan and car.

We explored our park and ended up at the café where a wee joey  is being looked after and was able to hold it. What delight on my part they are such precious things. We ate out tonight at the caravans restaurant buy one meal and get the other free, love those bargains. Back to the caravan to catch up on our travels of the day feeling very content. Oh yes the bird life here is amazing and it would be Pauls heaven . We even had a visitor of cattle evading the camp site, only in the outback.

26^th July Day 8

Sunrise

We all like our lizards alive and not fried…. A fire hazard warning on the road. It’s a new day and back on the road to Banka Banka leaving at 9am and its 14.3c. Our fist stop was at Tenants creek and did the tourist bit first going to a mining site at Battery Hill. We decided not to go into the mine and carry on site seeing around the town , We went up to a look out which looked out over the wee town.

Here we had a cuppa and took some photos of our surroundings. On our way out of the wee town was a recreation centre called Marys Lake. Very pretty and indeed a good place for the locals to enjoy their day off. It was here where I found the Sturt Pea plant which is the SA national flower.

Travelling on towards Banka Banka an Australian Government camping site, we passed many road trains and some of them towing 4 trailers and was quite something to overtake, one has to wait for a straight run and then go. On arriving at Banka Banka we were met with the manager and his wife who guided us to our place where to park. There is no electricity but divine tasting fresh water which we truly enjoyed. We set up camp and Dennis decided to wash down the awning and the side of the caravan. It was just lovely sitting outside and watching the business of all the campers around.  After afternoon tea we decided to walk up the hill to a tourist attraction on top where one can look around a vast area of the NTand looking down below to the campers all doing their own thing.

 The walk up the hill was quite rocky and reaching the top to a distant direction marker of various places as the crow flies. The stillness was wonderful and it was only our presence up there. We then decided to take a walk to the water hole which according to the marker was 1.6K’s. So off we trundled finding that rock climbing and manuvering to miss certain plants and sharp edges of rocks and at times quite daunting. We managed to cross over dry rocky river beds and a up climb and then down and eventually came to a sign saying we have to walk another 1.1k, it had felt like we already had walked the 1 k, so it was here we decided to turn back and not chance it as it was already 4pm.

The journey back was another story but we made it and got down to camp safely and thoroughly enjoyed to outing to the rocky terrain. We had  dinner then went and sat around a fire and had live entertainment along with a visit from a calf which seemed to enjoy the music as much as everyone else. It caused quite a stir with everyone taking photos of the wee creature.

Bed time it was and felt quite at peace with the world. One can feel the weather pattern changing and the temperatures starting to sore to the mid 30’s

27^th July day 9

 Dennis up early to watch the sunrise and I went for a shower. On my way back to the caravan one by one the lights came on in each caravan and time to pack up have breakfast and leave the sight. We all keep our caravans hitched to the car so it’s a case of packing the loose stuff and hitting the road Jack.

It was a lovely stay at Banka Banka a very homely stay and a recommend to anyone who is passing through to make their stop there for the night. And so it’s back on the road stopping for a cuppa at a memorial site for a telegrapher who was famous for the final link up. Back on the road and our next stop is Daly Waters pub which is known for the first outback aerodrome built for post and communication with the outside world.

 

 We had supper here and had the desire for some junk food “hamburger” Oh it was truly yummy but now we going to have to watch the diet for the next couple of days. Heeeeeee! The bird life here is amazing with raptures not sure which ones but they sure are on a hunt for food with the noise from other birds all wanting a bit of the kill on the other side of the camp. Interesting, all for their own bit in life including humans.

Until next time ...........................Dance in the rain

Perth via Darwin - Part 2

22^nd July Day 4

Sunrise

A  day to remember, It’s our daughter Chareen's birthday and our Grandson’s Timothy’s  21^st birthday. Phoned Chareen this morning and Timothy unfortunately had gone back to bed so unable to wish him.

We had quite a restful sleep and this time the alarm clock set right BUT yes I am about the tell you a secret. Dennis went to shower at 5.30 and did not switch the alarm clocks off yes there are 2 of them for just in case???? Phone alarm and clock alarm so with the result is while he was in the shower the alarms went off and I’m pretty sure it set the whole camp off. I’m sure by the end of the trip he would be able to get it right.

We had breakfast and packed up and hit the road at 8.06 AM and the temp was 9.2 C. The terrain consisted of mining dumps as far as the eye could see. We decided to do our next CD Which was the beginning of Mark.

SA/NT Border

Our next stop was Marla where we filled up with diesel and had a cuppa and strawberries muffins and cream. This station has a bank, a post office, police station, super market and a restaurant. During our drive to the border I read the next 2 chapters of “4 Blood moons” from Pastor John Haggee. Very interesting, a definite must read. We finally arrived at the South Australia and Northern Territory border.

Here one can spend the night  without charge. One of the most strangest signs yet to see is on entering NT the sign says Maximum Speed limit in the NT is 110 about 100 meters down from that sign is the speed limit is 130K’s.  One can now feel the climate change and temperatures rising to 28 C when we arrived at Erldunda  Staying at Deserts Oaks resort. It’s very dry here but most pleasant to. I did some washing and hung it out to dry on our minie clothes line. Dennis had to go and buy pegs as he left them at home not thinking we would need them on the trip. Saved by the shop but at quite an expense $10.50 for 5 pegs. Umm bit of a worry this is. Anyway all is well in the Juniper caravan the air con is on and  been served a cuppa tea which I enjoyed with a Trim Healthy cake and cream. What a way to still loose weight.

23^rd July  Day 5

Today is Isaac’s birthday turning 7. We speak with them via skype tonight and it was a great joyous time for me talking to all my chicks.

Today we left Desert Oaks but first having breakfast at the at the Tavern of bacon and eggs on toast with a cuppachino. They had a display of echedina and a Frilled lizard, I took a photo photos of them. We left Erldunda with tummies full and began reading the 4 blood moons to chapter 7.

The road to Alice

We are thoroughly enjoying this book. It was a most pleasant drive with the terrain varying from flat dry shrubbery to hills on entering the Alice Springs area. Many road trains passed us and caravaners busy holidaying and sight seeing historic sites along the way.

We booked into the Wintersun caravan park a delightful place with trees hovering over the caravans giving them the much needed shade. People busying themselves erecting their vans and some doing washing and

Replacing the Anderson plug

hanging it up the place giving a restful atmosphere. We set up camp and off to the town to look around and to purchase some goods for the caravan and to replace the Andersons switch for the caravn at Jaycar. Dennis had to replace ours as it came unstuck along the way and got damaged by the road.  We also did some exploring and went up to ANZAC Hill and took photos. This hill overlooks the whole of Alice Springs and it’s surrounding hills giving it a homely appearance. Dennis brought me back to the camp and he returned to give out some catalogs to some customers.

ANZAC Hill

 Came back and fixed the switch and by this time it was time for dinner and a chat with the family.  Oh yes we also went to the information centre to find out more about this town. 

Untila the early 1930’s the town’s offical name was Stuart. Alice Springs was the name given originally to the waterhole at the site of the repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line. However,this dual naming created such confusion for administration in Adelalide that on the 31 August 1933 the township of Stuart was officially gazetted Alice Springs. This information was taken from Australian Tourist publications booklet handed out in the information centre.

After dinner we spend most evenings catching up with our touring journel and looking at photos taken during the day. We retire fairly early due to the tiredness and contentment of the days journey and besides the camp shuts down to a quitenes to tranquility.

24^th July Day6

 Up fairly early, showered, breakfast and of cause the washing of clothes. All done and off to sight see outside Alice springs.

Simsons Gap

First stop was Simsons Gap, a 10 minute walk to the spot which was absolutely breath taking with the rock formation surrounding the area was magnificient. It amazes me to see how trees can bulge out the side of a rock formation and dig it’s roots securely there and yet blossom into this magnificient tree. We returned to the car and had a cuppa and THM brownie cake with chocolate cream cheese.



We left there and our next stop was to Ellery’s cree Big hole. One can camp here and it still amuses me to find honesty boxes around. Please take envelope and place your camp fees in and place in box. The abultion blocks is emaculately kept for being out in the outback. It was a short walk to the water hole and once again we stood in awe at the beauty of our surroundings. Dennis took some beautiful photos of the water reflections. One can swim here but warning signs were around saying of the strong currents and rocky base of water. On touching the water it was quite pleasant. Here too the rock formation is just wonderful. The picnic area was lovely and it’s here we had our lunch and a cuppa.

The Kilometers to here was 88k’s. We decided to head back to Alice Springs and visist the Telegraphic heritage site which coast $9 entry fees. We thoroughly enjoyed our stroll around the heritage buildings reading information of the past and how life was here in the early 1850+. We had a cuppa here and enjoyed the slight breeze blowing. I can’t imagine the heat here in summer especially what the pioneers endured no air conditioner.

Until next time .................Spend some time alone

Perth via Darwin - Part 1

Day 1 July 19th

I have decide to enlist the assistance of my nearest and dearest so am posting her write ups and adding some information - Enjoy

To our family and friends an insight into our wonderful travels here in Australia. Dennis has been in planning for over a year now with this trip. His working out our stops overnight and booking of caravan sights have been quite a daunting task but with persistence he has managed and done a wonderful job of planning. He has worked out the spending of monies with data put onto the new age gadgets called the iPad and now wants me to learn to do it while he is driving and now contemplating whether I should or not. Big grin on my face at the m moment. Anyway the much planned trip is now underway but let’s not forget my part in this too. I had the tedious task of meal planning for overnight stops, packing the caravan and seeing to all the nutty gritty of everyday life on the road.

We're on our way

And now so the journey has begun this day the 19^th July 2014 with our first stop at Maco’s with the whole family to wish us on our merry travels. We left just after 8 with the weather over cast and raining on and off and into our journey was quite misty. Some farmer had a wonderful artistic idea by making a huge teddy

bear out of hay a great tourist attraction. Going through many towns with lots of heritage buildings and I’m sure lots of stories I’m sure they can tell. We stopped at one of the rest areas for lunch and a leg stretch just outside Culgoa and then again to ditch an avocado in the bin due to fruit fly quarantine much to my disgust as it was a good avo too but law is law. It was not long after this that we arrived at our destination for our first stop which is in Mildura at Calder caravan Park.  Unhitched the caravan and went sightseeing around the town and ended up at the Famous Murry River. Peaceful and beautiful.  We came back to camp had dinner and caught up with the photos and writing of our travels. It’s time to retire and will continue this story tomorrow.

While saving the days travel in Memory Map i managed to loose most of the info however I do know that we traveled 561 Km at an average speed of 92 Km/h

Day 2 July 20th

Our day started off with a well-rested sleep and a shower that was a race through the hot water, drying ourselves and a dash to the van to get warm. Temperature was 3.5 brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!.

Sun Rise

We survived and decided to just pack up and drive to Maco’s and have something to eat.  We left Mildura at 8am and actually feeling quite refreshed this morning. Taking the back roads and heading towards Port Augusta. Terrain changing quite dramatically from lush green hills to a dry small bushy terrain which carried on for K’s. It was most enjoyable. We over took 2 tankers travelling together quite early on in our travels. Heading towards Morgan but having to cross the Murry River on a Ferry to get there which was most enjoyable. Just before reaching Morgan the citrus farming lands were seen.

As far as your eye could see the orchids roamed the country side also alongside of it were grape vines. There were also honesty box fruit stalls. We left Morgan and drove towards Burra where we stopped and had homemade lunch with a good cuppa right in front of the Peacock tower.
We also filled up the car as it need juice, I’m sure the engine had a good smile when it got fed. We left Burra and there on the road were these 2 tankers again and so once again it was passing them and waving to the men. We drove to Jamestown driving towards Port Augusta when we saw these two tankers again in front of us now this was mind boggling as we have no idea how they were in front of us. They must know some shorter road to get to their destination. We finally arrived at Port Augusta about 3.20pm. and our overnight stop at Shoreline Caravan Park. Parking our home in a drive through spot with an on suite. We had to go and buy some veggies and fruit before our next leg of the trip and the reason for this is we had to past a fruit free fly zone and border between the two states one is not allowed to carry any fruit in the car across the border from Victoria to South Australia they check the car.

Border Crossing

The Two Tankers

A most enjoyable days travel, not sure how we did it but we ended up doing about 50 Km on sand!! we did 556 Km at an average speed of 87.8 Km/H








Day 3 July 21st


 …Oh No, what on earth was Dennis thinking when he set his clock last night. I don’t think he lives on my planet. Well, let me tell you the truth about clock setting in my household. The night before Dennis could not get his bedside clock to work and moaned about the stupid thing as he calls it. Then last night he discovers something about the clock and realised it was not a stupid thing and set the clock and alarm clock. So off to bed we go and for some unknown reason we both woke up before the alarm went and Dennis decided to get up and go and shower. I remained in bed until he returned. Then it was my turn to shower, I did not even think of questioning him about the time. Anyway I returned from the shower and Den had to do something but in between this he kept on opening the door to see the sun rise but no sun was to be seen then he looked at his watch on his arm and asked what time was it and then discovered he had gotten up at 4.30am and it was now 5.30am.Oh give me strength what am I to do with this man. Him and his watch and alarm clock , the question is am I going to survive this trip with this going on’s. He has sure had his issues so far on this trip with his fingers doing the wrong things.

Well as you can see today started off rather early and we left Port Augusta after having some oats for breakfast. The road was rather quite as we headed off into the outback bush. The terrain changing from time to time. We encountered 2 kangaroo’s on the road who wished to watch the cars go by in the middle of the road and as we approached slowly they hopped off into the bush, beautiful creature they are and so graceful when hopping. We also saw a lot of carcases along the road from hits. We stopped off at Lake Hart for a cuppa and Trim Healthy Mama brownie cake and cream which was just delightful. We took some lovely photos of this area. The Road then became busy with road trains and lots of caravans. We passed a sign with the distance to Alice Springs 1050k’s quite a distance still to drive. Then the hunger pains started and so we stopped off at a rest place to enjoy a salad I had made before leaving, it was truly scrumptious.

With the road been a long drawn out one we decided to read out loud the book called “The Blood moons” by Pastor John Haggee. I read into 3 chapters which was most informative and learnt a lot about the sun moon and stars in the Bible. Then the distance to Coober Pedy became shorter and the mining of Opals were becoming more noticeable in the fields. Taking heaps of photos coming into town and stopping off at the entrance of Coober Pedy with the blower machine on a stand  took photos and the surrounding area was full of sand dunes from the mining. We arrived at our destination at 1.45pm and set up camp but when  getting out the car there was a strange noise coming from the engine which thankfully Dennis found what the cause was. What a blessing to have a handy man and able to rectify the problem without causing the bank balance to sky rocket. It was 2 rubber stoppers holding the air coolant which had worn and Dennis did a mod to it and fixed it. We drove around the town and went into a few Opel shops but nothing caught our fancy. Went to the shops for lettuce and tomatoes and spent $9 for them, a bit shocked but then what can you expect when you in the middle of no where. Dinner was served without any hiccup from the pepper grinder and enjoyed our meal and now it’s time to relax and lights out not far from now.

The Outback

Underground shopping

Sunset from our van

We did 573 Km at an average of 97.8 Km/h

Until next time............. Focus on the good

Six Days to Go

It's hard to believe that next week this time we will be on the road nearing the end of our second day's drive of our 'new adventure' which is a 13,000 Km road trip to Perth via Darwin in 93 days! We have spent many months preparing with the aid of Memory Map which will also track our journey and provide statistics such as distance traveled, max speed, average speed, time moving, time stopped, etc. and Camps app on my iPad to find the best places to night stop, the caravan is serviced and stocked, our trusty Terracan serviced, we just need to load the 4 x 4 freezer which is chock a block with home made frozen meals and meat.

We purchased a Fotya 2.5 kg mini washing machine for $50.00 (R.R.P. $129.00 plus freight) delivered which was on a 66% discount special, as a wash takes about 20 minutes we intend to do the 'socks, jocks & shirts' every second day which means we will only have to do a big wash once a week. Tested it with a load works great all done in 20 minutes.

Below is a map of our proposed rout and does not include side trips

After much research I have decided to fill the tires with Nitrogen, it seems that there could be a slight advantage especially as we are travelling such a long distance as the tire pressures will remain more constant, saving a small amount in fuel and tire-maintenance costs. At $50.00 for all six figured it was worth the trial.

Spent the morning packing all the tools and spares and finding a place for everything, worked out well but from experience I know there will be changes as we find out what needs to be easily and quickly got to. Also got the Lansky 5 stone sharpening system out and put a good cutting edge on my pocket knife and sorted the emergency back pack out so all we need to do is pack the perishables into the caravan on Friday hook up and then after our traditional breakfast at the big M we will be on our way.

Until next time ....................... Forget the bad.