Wednesday...29 July 2015

Nullabor done and dusted!
It is a long long way to go just to see what is on the other side!
As well as the usual convoys of trucks, there were lots of caravans out there, mostly going east. It was sort of nostalgically nice to cross cattle grids again, been a while since they were a regular feature of our travels.
We stopped at the Head of the Great Australian Bight and spent a couple of hours whale watching. Apparently that particular spot is one of the Southern Right Whale nurseries and we saw at least fourteen whales and calves. Fascinating creatures to watch and the new board walk that goes right to the edge of the Bight allows the illusion of being close to them as they feed and frolic close to shore in total safety.

Of course we saw the usual push bike riders crossing the iconic Nullabor. The total count for our trip was 13 going east and 2 going west. I am not sure if I think they are completely off their rockers or if they are the bravest of the brave to take on that part of this enormously arid and empty country.
The road signage included warnings to watch out for kangaroos, emus, wombats, cows and camels. Sadly we saw most of the same animals as road kill, including a camel!
We camped out for two nights and at one of the spots we stopped for lunch, we found a tree with a beautiful aboriginal painting. Guessing it is an accepted meeting spot for various groups. I love dot paintings and of course the colours are always so vibrant.

Monday...27 July 2015

Today sees us head out onto the Nullabor. See you on the other side!

Saturday...25 July 2015

Pt Augusta to Ceduna. 456 km. Another long day but felt shorter because we were not constantly slowing down or stopping for town after town. Out here there is a long way between stops.
We will park up for the weekend so that Himself can watch the end of the Tour de France and then it is off to cross the Nullabor. Before we set off, I will cook up a storm and use as many of my fresh vegetables as possible otherwise I will have them taken off us at the SA/WA border control station. They took all our fruit and tomatoes back at the SA/Vic border. They left the vegetables, not sure why but the next mob always take the lot.
We have just been told that there are whales visible in the Great Australian Bight so might take a bit of extra time to stop and have a look as we go past that point of our journey.

Friday...24 July 2015

Buronga to Pt Augusta. 541 km. Via Renmark, Morgan, Burra, Crystal Brook and Port Pirie!
This was not the plan! However as always Himself got a little carried away with the driving. He says his bum is not as sore now but golly I think mine is!!!
Look out Ceduna, here we come!
Isn't it funny how the minute Himself looks like getting out on the wide open road he goes back into north west mode and drives all day?????

Thursday...23 July 2015

A big days travel today for Himself and his sore bum. Echuca to Buronga which is on the NSW side of the Murray River at Mildura.
We got up this morning in a pea soup fog which made the camp pack up a little bit cold and damp. Could not wait for the engine to warm up so that I could turn on the car heater. When we got on the road visibility was not good but we expected it would improve fairly quickly, but it stayed that way until nearly lunch time! As soon as the fog did finally lift and the sun was shining through the big front window of the ute, we had to put the air conditioner on! Crazy!
We have stopped for the night at a caravan park we have used before and bless them, they gave us a lovely drive through site so we did not even have to unhitch.  Perfect.

Tuesday...21 July 2015

Began our travels again yesterday.
Only up the road to the next big town but at least we are on the way!
A couple of weeks ago Himself had a coughing fit and initially suppressed the cough but then when he went to take a breath, nothing happened and down he went, crash bang boom! I think he passed out. As he fell he hit his head on the bench and his back on the cupboards and his bum hard on the floor. Anyway we got him back to his feet and he was walking alright but said his bum hurt. I said he should go to the doctor and he said not to be so silly it was only a bruise.
A week or so later he had to admit it was more than a bruise when it was uncomfortable for him to move around and to drive the car. We had been to visit the other daughter, a two hour trip each way and he was unable to sit for that long. So off he went to the doctor for X-rays.
He has a dislocated coccyx and can expect some discomfort for at least six weeks. This makes travelling difficult for him.  He is on pills for pain and anti inflammatorys. We have bought a foam cushion for him to sit his sore bits on and this helps but right now our best progress will be town by town instead of state by state each day! Mileage will be low and I can see us doing a lot of free camping to balance the budget but every days travel is another day closer to warmer weather.

Sunday...19 July 2015

Daughter and I went to the Sheep and Wool Show today. Himself went yesterday and stayed most of the day. We saw craft including ladies actually spinning fleece and weaving and knitting. We tasted jams and chilli's and ate burgers and donuts. We watched a shearing competition and a wool classing display. Having walked into and through every building we could find and watched the fashion show we headed up the other end of the oval and entered the sheep judging buildings. Ahhh, the smell, it never changes! 

Anyway daughter was in heaven walking around looking at all the beautiful Merino's and then we entered another building with various other breeds in it. With permission from the handlers she was allowed to "pat" a sheep and feel its lovely soft fleece. 

We heard a stud auction and watched a sheepdog trail. And to finish the day off we visited the display of black sheep. I can remember when being black as a sheep was a no no but now they are prized by home spinners for their natural fleece colours. 

Quite a day out and there is still work to do here at camp. Tomorrow is moving day and I must tidy the rig ready for the off in the morning. Then it is off to dinner with the daughter and a last play time with the grandchild before our departure.

I do like the facilities this town has, just not very keen on the winter chill. We will return when the weather warms up again and this camper is less grumpy!!!