Arrive in Port Augusta

Just before departing Clare Caravan Park, kids get the pleasure of feeding some kangaroos and emus. Note the helmet still in place!!!! Best protection against the swooping maggies.

Day 4 and we are becoming far more efficient in packing up. We all have a role, although we are all trying to work out what exactly Boaz's is! Currently he has decided he is the funny man on the trip. In his words he is a 'laugh addict'. He keeps us and himself mostly, amused with jokes ( thanks al,jaz,eve,sari &ryder at least we are hearing new jokes!).

The orange orchards have now been replaced once more with fields of canola. This photo does not do it justice. To the naked eye it comes out as flourescent yellow.

It was during this part of the trip that the drivers side mirror was slammed against the side of our car by the wind from a passing truck. Have since repaired with our rescue tape. Only to chat with fellow travellers and hear this happening was not unique to just us.

We drove behind this for a while. What the????????

2 hours later we finally make it into Port Augusta.

Greeted by our friends Judy & Peter with drinks and nibbles to boot. This is the very first picture. Minor glitch in uploading.

For us, even though days away still number in the single digits, catching up, swapping stories, already too numerous to record and of course laughing at ourselves was just what we needed.

The kids were so excited to have hugs and chat, but it did not take long till they disappeared to explore new territory.

It is here that we discover (to date) our list of best things we decided to bring along (or purchase) :

* Kids bikes - can't imagine not having them.

* Last minute purchase of stools thanks to Anaconda. They are light and the perfect height for eating dinner around the table for all of us. Especially handy for the overnighters when we try to unpack the least amount of stuff.

*Last minute swap of tables for a smaller one with Margot.

*New barbecue ( take 3, yes Tracey our 3rd barbecue!!) Purchased new one on the road in Mildura. Yes mum, we should have listened to you. It worked, just not anyhwere near hot enough. Passed the old one on to the local thrifty store in Clare after purchasing the WebberQ!!!

Things we have learnt to date:

*Drive through sites are sooooo handy for those overnight stays - no need to unhitch, meaning one less thing to think about when getting ready to leave in the morning.

*How spoilt we are having a shower and toilet on board for those overnight pees. Just trying to explain same to Timna who still wakes us up to take her to the toilet, forgetting about the one in the van!!!

*How friendly our fellow vanners are. Everyone is happy for a chat, happy to pass on advice. So far the majority of our companions are grey nomads, all travelling south for the summer.

*Things that appear stolen may not necessarily be so. They may actually be hidden so well by us in order to be protected from wind and thefts.

*With all prior warnings noted, we still over packed. Main offenders, linen and clothes!!