Monday...7 May 2012

Have just completed our first caravan trip on the Nullabor crossing.
It was entirely different to our numerous crossings way back when we crossed regularly to visit Himself's mum for Xmas every two years. That was usually done at the speed of sound trying to get it over and done with as quickly as possible before war broke out between our many children in the back seats of the car.
I always wanted to do that trip one more time at a more sedate pace so that we could see the scenery and finally it has happened.
Believe it or not, but we took nearly four days to cross, stopping at free camps out there in the middle of nowhere. Last night I sat watching the moon rise in the total silence of the Australian Outback. Complete silence can be a bit unnerving but so special.
On day one we crossed the longest straight stretch of road in the world, measuring 145km without a bend! Slightly dangerous as one can become bored and fixated but so so special. One of the sights along the way was the skeletons of broken or burnt vehicles that stand testament to the harshness of the conditions or the stupidity of the drivers.We also passed some goose riding a push bike across the Nullabor.
On day two we stopped to look at the Great Australian Bight, sadly it is too early to have seen any whales migrating north.

The Great Australian Bight

Mind you we did see two juvenile snakes taking a stroll across the designated walkway. Was actually walking along the path back to the car thinking to myself that the path looked a lot like that one back in Augusta where we saw the other snake and bingo there they were! Must have known I was about to step on them or maybe my thinking caused them to be there???
During the day we also saw an emu and a magnificent eagle lifting off from a dead kangaroo carcass on the side of the road. His wing span was awesome.
We also saw another bike rider out there. Just them and their push bike. All alone, no support vehicle.
On day three we had yet another push bike rider and we also passed half a dozen Chamberlain tractors putting down the road on the way to Perth. Each one was towing a small pop top caravan. Himself says Chamberlains used to be made in Perth so maybe they were heading over for a reunion of some sort.
Eventually we crossed the actual Nullabor and arrived in Ceduna which is the end of the crossing.
Couple of days here catching up with showers and washing and we will be on our way again.
We think we will do the Eyre Peninsula next.

The Nullabor