To Kuiper Piti

 

We are finally on our way, farewell Port Augusta for another day, farewell Judy and Peter.

As you will probably  be able to tell by this post, Coober Pedy made quite an impression on all of us. It is famous for its opal mining, and unique landscape. The name Coober Pedy comes from the aboriginal word kuiper piti, meaning white man in a hole. In its lunar lanscape, Rob found a similarity with ancient hills of Israel. I was constantly amazed by the thousands of pyramid shaped mounds of dirt everywhere aka Mullock (signs they have been looking for opals). A lot of living is done underground: motels, shops, restaurants, churches and camping grounds (not us caravans!). We went on mine tours of days gone by, we were shown how the modern day mining machinery works and taught the difference between opal and potch (simply potch is the opal with out the colour, therefore worthless). Here in Coober Pedy there is no such thing as grass, the football oval is on gravel!!! Glad they are not part of the MSJFL. In order to get water they have had to dig for bores and then build a desal plant to make their water drinkable. The locals pay an absolute mint for water, therefore it was an absolute luxury that the Caravan Park we stayed at had free showers. 3-5 minutes max.

To prove that we finally did leave Port Augusta!!

 Australia really is a very large country. The kids have already established that kms travelled to date, would have got them to Queensland!!!

Salt pans.....the landscape is incredible

The long road ahead.....

It is anazing how many large mountains , someone will always ask.'is that uluru???'

Can't wait till they actually see it.

Taken just before Pimba. Robbie's favourite, if you can check this out in full screen. 

These funny yellow things all along the roadside had us perplexed. Were they a lost load of lemons? Or a lost load of bouncy yellow balls? So we finally had to stop and find out.....

They were actually a fruit attached to the dry grassy creeper. We later found out they are Paddy Melons, apparently poisonous. We did not taste, but discovered that they bounced just like balls.

Parking bay at Riba's Caravan Park. Got in just in time for evening tour of their opal mine.

Trying his luck at finding the spot in which to start digging for opals. Otherwise referred to as dowsing for opals.

We do love the flora of Australia.....perhaps a calling for a blog just about flora?? Perhaps not.

Current mining machinery

 Passers by are able to fill up at this point in the main street.

Inside the Serbian Church. Incredible stained glass windows and statues carved out of the walls.

This is at the Umoona Underground Opal Museum and Gallery. we liked this so much we came back time and time again. Just ask Benj.

Josephines Aboriginal Art Gallery and Kangaroo orphanage. They try to return the roos either back to the land, or to a sanctuary. Timna could have stayed all day.

They really are enjoying it all!!!!!

Still still in Port Augusta 11th Sept

So yes we are still in Port Augusta.....there were a couple things holding us here.....we heard there was the Quorn Agricultural Town Fair and of course Carlton vs Essendon in the afternoon, and with no TV of our own and a long drive to our next destination of Coober Pedy, we decided to stay.

So here we are at the Quorn Fair. Quorn is a quaint little town 40km north east of Port Augusta.
We stopped in town to get directions to the fair, walked passed a book store which had a sign on the door that read ' we are open sometimes on the weekends and infrequently during the week '.

This was the best ute, as judged by us at the Ute Muster.

We had a lot of fun checking out all the exhibits on display Here are some of the things we saw...from poultry to fresh produce to quilt making, drawing, cakes, scones, flower displays and more.....

Quorn is also where the famous Picc Ricci Railway travels through. This was part of the old ghan railway line.

Back at the beach in front of our Caravan Park, kids searching for crabs with their new friend from Geelong, Riley.

If you look carefully you can see the long freight train on the other side of the spencer gulf, with the back drop of the Flinders Ranges.

Linda with her new friend Penny.....

Robbie discovering the wonders of our new camera. Isn't that beautiful. This is the same view as the previous sunset, how incredible the vision of the moon rising.

After last drinks with Peter and Judy and chats with our neighbours, taking in all the words of wisdom.....we heard for bed this time ready to drive off for Coober Pedy.

Still in Port Augusta -Sat 10th September

Happy birthday Aunty Margot.


Decide to spend the day around the park completing domestic duties and preparing car and van for the next leg of our trip.
It has been revealed that kids and I think we live in a tent. With finer weather and flies approaching, Robbie has cleverly devised a self closing wire door.
Not to out do himself, but he also installed an improvised mud flap extension to the Prado.


Kids finally win, and set themselves up to do homework. I thought they would last only a few minutes and want to get out and play......but no that was only me!!


Homework shortly followed by a ride on the beach....
some of the beautiful flora.


I normally do all to not be photographed, or at least not let any one see the pics.......but I thought you might all like to see my office.


We are now getting ready for Coober Pedy.


Be well.

More about Port Augusta

Wadlata Outback Centre. What an amazing place. We manage to spend 2 hours in the exhibition. Mix of movies, visual displays and some interactive stuff at the end. Teaching us about aboriginal dream time and early European history in Australia.

Kids found it fascinating. Timna took photographs of all and is in the process of creating her own project. Funny we thought we would struggle to get the kids to do school work, when in fact they keep asking us for homework. They say they are so used to being at school they miss it!!!!

Have had to think about little projects for them to do. Though they have informed us that an hour a day woud be the max they will spend on school stuff!!


Very early telecommunication network. May be this is what I need to reduce my chatability????
The Caravan park we are staying on is right on the shoreline of the Spencer Gulf. Hence the name Shoreline Caravan Park.
It is here we note some differences to other parks we have been.
The caravan park has a curfew of 9.30pm. Gates close, that means to pedestrians as well as cars. There is also barbed wire on the tops of the fences surrounding the caravan park.
Signs around the park reminding you that even though you may be on holidays the thieves are not.
Despite how all that might sound, we felt very secure in the park and throughout Port Augusta in general.
It is here in Port Augusta that you become aware of the increasing numbers of Aborigines in the community. Our children have started noticing the contrast from home.

Port Augusta is much bigger and busier than we expected.
It is known as the crossroads - all traffic flowing east to west and north to south passes through here.
There is also the train line from Adelaide to Darwin right that passes right behind the caravan park. Our last count had 100 freight carriages on the train.

These were taken on the beach in front of the caravan park. An extremely windy day.


 

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!!

On our way to Port Augusta

This is our familiar set up in the car.
Independant music listening ( thanks to nanny and papa)
Cumfy head rests (thanks to aunty margot)
Audio books ( thanks to sarah) - currently listening to Narnia - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Us adults are kept busy counting the unfortunate road kill, trying to work out how to use the UHF Radio and remembering to wave to all on coming caravanners.


We had to do it...couldn't help but be official daggy tourists
Note to selves: may pay to read quarantine pamphlet prior to crossing borders!!
As we had previously crossed through fruit fly zone, did not think we would lose anything when passing through quarantine at SA border. Had not purchased anything more. However inspection here left us with only carrots, lettuce and sweet potato.






Long stretches on the road made easier by the constantly changing scenery.
This stretch was filled with rows and rows of orange orchards.







On our way to Port Augusta, we opted for the road less travelled.
The van we were following for a while pulled over to make a u-turn.
We did wonder why?? Only to discover minutes later.....a car ferry in the middle of nowhere. Not marked on the map. Nowhere for us to turn around ...no choice but to go forward.
A highlight for the kids and Linda (one of many).
Anxious moments for the driver.



Arrived in Clare Valley around 5pm, still 2 hours drive to Port Augusta. Time travelled thus far today 5 hours. Port Augusta will have to wait one more day.
Clare Valley Caravan Park - picturesque Fauna park, surrounded by trees, kangaroos emus and bird life...did we mention birds!!! Magpie nesting season. We were kept on our toes by swooping birds.
kids safe with helmets on - learnt to wear even when NOT riding their bikes!!
Wish we bought our helmets along!

Looking forward to Port Augusta and seeing Judy and Peter. Can't wait to have a few days in the one spot to replenish, clean the van (OMG much easier in such a small space!!!) clean the car, clean the children and stretch our legs.........

It is only day 3, but the funny thing is that we are all beginning to feel like we have been on the road forever.

The adventure begins

We finally drive away at 4pm Monday 5th September.

The extra time allowed us to drive away with a well packed car, over packed caravan, (hanging out for a weigh bridge to see what it all actually amounts to!!!)and far less stressed parents and kids.
Our first stop will be Big 4 Bendigo Ascot Holiday Park.
Note ,it took 45 minutes for the first 'how much longer till we stop?", courtesy of Boaz.
After much research and much chatting to those more experienced we find ourselves driving away with some added extras to our car and van.......
I think the store owners are still smiling after our many trips back and forwards...

*UHF Radio
*Snorkel
*Diesel Power Chip
*Satellite Phone
*Roof Racks
*Roof Basket
*Engel 40 litre fridge
*2nd battery for the car
*2nd battery for the caravan
*new tyres
*all manner of straps, safety equiptment and gadgets we didn't even know exsisted!!

I still can't believe we are actually doing this.........can't imagine how it is all going to be.

First night is in Bendigo, in a Big 4 - with those famous jumping pillows and a mini golf course. What more could the kids ask for. Not a bad way to start off the adventure.

All finally asleep. Exhaustion sets in.....

Next morning head off towards Mildura -get lost trying to get out of Bendigo which provides us with a lovely unplanned tour of the beautiful city.

First stop to stretch our legs is Kerang where we have to dump all our fruit and some vegies in preparation for crossing the fruit fly exclusion zone.

Drive past the most incredible fields filled with flourescent yellow flowers- canola.

Next stop the first touristy thing of our adventure - pictures with the first of many BIG things - the Big Murray Cod in Swan Hill. - His name is Arthur.



Then across the Murray River to find ourselves in NSW, only to recross the border back into Victoria, for a night in Mildura. The kids convince us to stay at another jumping pillow park!!!

Trying to upload pictures, finally get them but as yet lacking the finesse in editing. Decided to post this off anyway and will try again in the coming days.

All very peaceful here in Mildura..............sweet dreams to all.

P.S. Leading up to this trip we were very conscious as to how the kids would manage without the mod cons of their electronic toys. I know it is only day 2, but the one with the problem is actually Linda and the laptop!!!xxxxxx