Many days....Day 5 Saturday 22 June through to Day 10 Thursday 27 June.

So this is how the travelling went over the last few days...

On 22 June we left Coober Pedy nice and early, hoping to get as far as Kulgera, which is some 70 K's over the border in Northern Territory ( NT from now on). However conditions were most favourable and we arrived there in time for a late lunch. After said lunch we decided to push on further north to Stuarts Well, the home of 'Dinky' the famous singing dingo. This place is about 90 k's south of The Alice.

We decided that that was enough travel for the day and booked in there. We also found out that Dinky's owner, Jim, sold out about 2 months ago and both he and Dinky have retired to Alice. We also found out that the is no mobile connectivity there, hence no blog. Got to sit around a camp-fire though and listen to an old 'know-all' spruik on about any subject you like.....and I thought I had cornered that particular market, Max beat me hands down.

Under the gum trees at Stuarts Well, NT.

Next day we moved out at a reasonable hour and stopped at Alice to get some provisions and other stuff. We had done all the touristy things around there last year so after an hour or so we drove on until we reached Wycliffe Well, home of aliens. Again no connectivity but we could get the Geelong v Brissy game on the telly. What a shocking result, wot the??? Went to bed very sad and somewhat befuddled (by the footy not the VB's). So much for Sunday.

A busy time was had at Wycliffe Well.

Monday was spent driving further north past the Devil's Marbles, through Tennant Creek and Elliott (refer to last year's blog...still no glass in the joint) and arrived at the 'Historic Daly Waters Pub in the later afternoon. By that time the caravan park adjacent to the pub was chockers (and I mean chockers). The sheila at reception (she was Irish and that could be her name but probably not) assured me that there were no powered sites left so I paid for an unpowered site. However, Mike, the bloke showing the patrons where to park their vans, was a very nice fellow and proceeded to find us a fully powered site. Just because there was no room left to swing a cat didn't make it any less appreciated.

Cheek by jowl at Daly Waters

After setting up we wandered around the town for a bit (that takes all of five minutes), then into the pub for a middie or two. We booked in for a 'steak and barra' dinner which we were able to get at 7.30 p.m. Strewth, that's nearly my bedtime these days. Anyway, we sat in the beer garden and listed to the 'entertainment' until dinner arrived. Very tasty it was. The whole show finished off at 9.30 p.m. so off to bed it was. Still no connectivity, therefore no blog.

Then it was Tuesday (strange that Monday is followed by Tuesday, even when on a travelling trip) and we stopped at Mataranka, an hour and a half up the road. We stayed at The Homestead, which has a nice bar and a nice thermal pool and other good things, so we stayed for two days. So this entry includes Wednesday...

The bloke in the caravan behind us introduced himself as 'Phil the fireman' from Brissy. He and his wife (Tanya) are very friendly and love a chat. However, he is VERY Rugby League and all he can think about is Wednesday night's rugby State of Origin. So Tuesday night was spent quietly, after a lovely dip in the Thermal Pool...oh and the daily temperature is now about 32 degrees, with the overnight minimum about 20. LOVELY.

On Wednesday we took an early morning walk to Stevie's Hole and beyond. A couple of dips in the Thermal Pool and then it was time to meet Phil and Tanya (and others) at the bar for happy hour. We left them at 6.00 pm 'coz they were really getting excited about the state of origin and Gerry and I just wanted to eat our dinner.

We were visited by a couple of small wallabies (very cute) while we were sitting outside. When they nicked off, we nicked off to bed. Oh, there was connectivity at Mataranka but I was way too busy to do any blogging. Oh well.

Our night time visitors at Mataranka

On Thursday we travelled another hour and a bit up the road to Katherine. We stayed at the same park as last year, got the same site, with the same bloody tree in the way of an easy park. Just as well I  knew that Phil Bates, the manager, would direct me into this tight spot, otherwise I would still be trying to get in.

As we were about to complete setting up, this bloke wanders past, asks the usual 'where are you from' type question and after some appropriate (friendly) replies, he tells me he is from Warracknabeal. I advise that that is the birth-place of my beloved. After some further chat we discover that he was taught by Gerry's father way back when he was in primary school at 'Warrick'.Introduces himself as 'Geoff Adams". He is now 73 years old but remembers 'Mr. Hogan' fondly. Wouldn't tell us what his nick-name was though. He and his wife knew all of Gerry's relations in that area, including John Foott. Bloody small world.

Off to the supermarket....it's Thursday and it's as busy as, what with grey nomads getting their pensions/income stream payments today and the locals doing the same thing, all spending up big. After some lunch it's a dip in the pool. The water is a lot flamin' colder then the water at Mataranka, but 'tis refreshing on a warm afternoon. It is now 'happy hour' and the writing for the day is done. Tomorrow its off to Batchelor and the Litchfield National Park, for 10 days. Yay.

Day 4. Friday 21st June 2013.

Welcome to the shortest day of the year. Nice fresh morning was had. Not as cold as previously, even got the shorts on first up 'coz the sun was shining. Walked around outside for a bit....the wind decided that it would lower the temperature by about 10 degrees, so back to the jeans, quick smart.

Not moving on today. We have decided to stay the day and do a touristy local information drive called Stuart Ranges Tour. Takes off at about 1.15 p.m. and we should get back at the park at about 6.00 p.m.

Gerry decided to wash a few clothes, like we've been on the road for three full days, but then again take every opportunity as it arises....minds above the belt please. After that is done and the clothes hung out to dry we go into the town and then an exhilarating walk around the local paddock. All one can see is the eerie landscape of thousands of mullock heaps around.

Lunch was had and then off we go to enjoy the tour. Driver/guide Terry meets us as do the two old dears that are doing the tour with us. Hop on the old bus and around the town we go. We enjoy the view of all things Coober Pedy, such as they are. There is even a golf course, without a blade of grass but when green fees are paid, the intrepid golfer is given a patch of turf that said golfer may place under the ball, where ever it may lay! The things that happen out here.

First Hole, Coober Pedy Golf Club.

We journey through the opal fields and all the intricacies of opal mining are explained in great detail. After that we rough it to the 'Breakways', a very strange, lunar-like but stunningly beautiful area. Cop the photo.

A small feature of The Breakaways.

We had a walk around there and then a quick look at the well-known 'dog fence'. Don't know it? Then Google it!

Return to town and have a look at an underground house and museum, check out the Serbian Orthodox underground church etc, etc, etc.

Interior of the Serbian Orthodox Underground Church, Coober Pedy.

Back to the van for a pizza (one of the best crusts we have ever had!!) and a red wine. Quiet night. Should be in the territory tomorrow.

Day 3. Thursday 20th June 2013.

It's Ruby's 6th birthday.....Happy Birthday Blossom.

The night was not quite as fresh as the night before but cold enough. At least it was above freezing and there was no ice on the windscreen. Heard a rooster of two in the early hours but then again we're in the country, so no complaints.

We left Laura at 8.30 a.m. and headed to Port Augusta, just 110 K's away through Horrick's Pass. Fuelled up and turned right at the roundabout onto the Stuart Highway and into the outback we go.

The original idea was to stop at a place called Glendambo, which is where we go to last year. However, we got there at about 1.30 p.m. and decided it was too early to stop, so Coober Pedy, here we come! Just another 250 K's up the road. Got there at 4.30 p.m. and booked into the Stuart Ranges Caravan Park....not a blade of grass around here, must have something to do with the average rainfall being something like 5 inches per year. Decided to stay two nights so that we can do some touristy things tomorrow.

Did a bit of "Skyping" with the Lara Benne's so that we could wish Ruby a Happy Birthday properly, which is what we did. Great stuff.

The weather has been very kind today. Nice and sunny with a slight northerly (therefore headwind) breeze, about 17 degrees. 'Tis forecast to be 19 tomorrow. Now that's better.

Day 2. Wednesday, 19th June 2013.

A VERY cold morning greeted us on arising. Ice on Terri's windscreen and a cold walk across the grass to the en suite. Gerry was MOST grateful for the Porta-Potti in the van for overnight use.

We were able to hit the road at about 8.00 am. A short stop at the fruit-fly inspection station at Yunta. No fruit or vegies are allowed into S.A. from Vic. Therefore we had a stop at Renmark for some fruit and vegie shopping at the local supermarket. Had morning tea at a local park and then off we go towards Burra. This is an old copper mining town with an amazing history. We have stopped here a few times before and have had a good look around. The first time we stayed there was in 1984 when we did a camping trip to the Flinders Ranges with the Frequins and the Klaassens. The roads have improved immensely since then. We had lunch at Burra, dining on the obligatory Cornish pastie....beautiful.

The Cornish Pastie...a MUST when at Burra

Paxton Square Miners Cottages in Burra, where we stayed in 1984!

After lunch we moved onto a small but picturesque town of Laura which is about 212 K's north of Adelaide, on the Main South Road. We booked into the local caravan park. It is run by the local council and therefore very clean and a bit cheaper than fully commercial parks. Wandered around the town, came across the local pub so we had to have a pot (schooner in SA) of Coopers Pale Ale. This is the only  way to fly.

After our walk we sat outside for a while. Had a chat with a local bloke who puts on a blacksmithing exhibition during the season. Interesting bloke.

A clear evening which means that it going to be cold again overnight. Just as well it is nice and warm in the van.

A couple of the buildings in Laura.

Day 1. Tuesday 18 June 2013

So, up bright and early (0545), shower, brekkey etc as required. We would like to be at Justine's place in Bannockburn at first light so that are on the road by 0800. Load the car (Terry of course) with the necessaries, get the house etc ship-shape and secure, get ready to go....and down comes the rain...weeeeeeee.

Huey and Murphy have conspired to ensure that there is enough rain to ensure that we both get wet and uncomfortable when we arrive at Bannockburn to finish packing the van and hook it up to Terry. So it rains all the while until we are set and ready to go...and out comes the sun. Thanks Huey and Murphy, you done good.

Say bye bye and off we go just before 0800. there is intermittent rain and the odd bit of fog, all the way to Ballarat (nothing unusual there). Chuck a righty onto the Sunraysia Highway near Learmonth and the rain stops, weather clears and becomes somewhat sunny for the rest of the day.

The Terry proves to be a good tow vehicle and we can sit near the speed limit quite comfortably. Stop at St. Arnaud for morning tea and Turiff (Google it), which is a bit south of Ouyen for lunch. This place is definitely a one-horse town but it has the cleanest public toilet (one cubicle only) in the country and a very small but newish war memorial. An interesting place for a quick stop.

Having lunch at Turiff...note the War Memorial in the background.

Got to Mildura nice and early, about 2.30 pm. Set up camp, had a chat with old Bob, the ex-truckie from Sydney, a brisk walk for nearly an hour followed by a couple of beers and tea. We will probably watch TV for a while and then off to bed.  Good-night for day one!.

The Day Before Day 1

Well, it looks like we are off again. Geraldine and I are heading off north on Tuesday 18 June 2013 for a two month tour to the Top End...look out Darwin, Litchfield and Kakadu. We also intend to have a look at some of the places that we missed out on last year...namely Daly Waters Pub.

New tow vehicle, being a Ford Territory, diesel version with AWD. Bit more clearance and will give us the opportunity to tour around rougher terrain (without the van) that the Falcon would allow.

Gerry has had a great time running around like the proverbialnchook getting everything ready and organised....the van will be filled up this afternoon so that we head off to Mildura at about 8 am. It will be nice to go towards a warmer area. I shall try not to gloat..but don't count on it.

Roses have been pruned at the last minute....with raindrops falling on my head. That's enough for now...this just a teaser to get things going. I'll update the blog when I can and when we have connectivity.

The Outfit, nearly ready to go.