Way Out West 2011

This morning we packed up from our side-of-the-road stop at Lake Hart and ventured into the bush along the only sealed road from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy.  Right now I am in Coober Pedy in the middle of South Australia. It’s a real hole in the ground, actually lots of holes in the ground! Coober Pedy is where they mine for opals and yesterday we all camped on the side of the road and used a tree for the toilet!
Earlier today we all went into town and we went to the underground bookshop (in Coober Pedy it can be so hot that they temperature underground is a more suitable temperature for people than above ground) and then we went to the underground catholic church.
When we got back to the campsite, Matilda and I went to the playground and because I was silly enough to wear thongs (or flip-flops) I cut my foot on a rock and currently have two steri-strips and a band-aid over my cut!

P.S. I really Miss all my friends back home and I can’t wait to see you all again!

One of the underground churches in Coober Pedy

Yes, it hurt (and still does)!!

Well the acres and acres of green wheat , wet soggy Adelaide Hills, have been left behind and we have at last come across red soil, little grey bush and little eucalyptus. I think Daddy called it salty, greasy bush back in 1983.  First back to the Adelaide Hills – coming down a very, very, very steep decline when Em’s voice came across the radio, “it is time to get into the right hand lane to make our right hand turn and head towards Port Augusta”. John and I already had our feet planted on the brakes as we shuddered down the hill.  More shuddering, more planting of feet, John shifted into manual gears, turned the right hand indicator and started for the right hand lane. Well I am here to tell the story so we made it.  Had a quiet night at Port Augusta and headed to Wadlata, Outback Centre after breakfast.  Spent a good couple of hours, finding out about the dreamtime moon, morning star,  the outback explorers and the Ghan Train.  Must tell you about one story of the Ghan.  Woman kept asking when would they be getting to Alice Springs.  Conductor was getting annoyed.  Asked the woman why do you want to know?  Her answer, because I am ready to deliver my baby.  His answer, why did you get on the train in that condition?  Her answer, I wasn’t in this condition when I got on the train.  Having a glorious evening, sitting in the middle of nowhere, overlooking Lake Hart watching the sun go down.  I must away as the last rays have gone down and I can’t see any more XXX

I’m giving today a big green tick (hopefully there’ll be LOTS more of these in my posts as the coming days unfold!).

It’s going to take time to establish our various routines: what needs to be done, when, how, by whom. So while we mucked around a bit and overcame the usual minor early trip hiccups (was that breakfast in Ballarat or Beaufort?!?), I’d say Day 1 certainly went very smoothly.

Which only makes me more excited about Day 2!

Day 1 sunrise over Pentlad Hills, near Bacchus Marsh

Breakfast in Beaufort - Colleen, Emma and Matilda

Murray Bridge - our campsite for Day 1

Many thanks for all the phone calls, txts, visits and emails wishing us well on our big trip.  Day 1, woke before the alarm (perhaps I hadn’t been asleep all night due to excitement and extra special messages from No 1 son at 12.25 and 5.40 am). Headed out at 6.10 am and arrived at Beaufort and enjoyed a delicious breakfast of grapefruit, weetbix & butter and coffee.  Dimboola, Border Town and anight stop at Murray Bridge, were the order of the day-a little on the cool side, including receptionist at Caravan Park.  She has been dubbed Mrs Personalty Plus.

Hi 2MM I’m having so much fun in Murray Bridge. I hope you’re having fun with your school work, but don’t be jealous because I have double your school work! Speak to you again soon.

Love Matilda   ooooxxxx

I took this photo of the sunrise as we left on our holiday

Jemima is already enjoying our holiday!

Woke up at 5:40am to be seated in a car for approximately five hours and a few stops in between. Tonight we are staying at Murray Bridge. Yummy dinner.

675 km today 14 litres per 100km towing van. Average speed was 78km per hour perhaps. (Long live the poor OIL companies)