DAY 17

DAY 17

7^th July

We all packed up in record time this morning. Another icy one, makes it hard to get up out of warm beds. We headed off up K1 track and up to the French Line. We were to follow this through to ‘Big Red’ and then on to Birdsville Hotel for a much needed shower and a little luxury. Mike was feeling sad because he didn’t want to leave the desert!

We all travelled well, no problem getting over the dunes. The sand was very red here, but there was also lots of green. Looked like cows could have been grazing! Another quick fix needed on the front shock on our car. Lucky the guys are all so clever.

There was lots of traffic heading east and west. Like a highway. Radios got lots of work. Most drivers were friendly and courteous, a couple of groups however had no manners!! Quite funny when one of these that pushed in front of us then got themselves bogged on the very next dune! Karma J

We had lunch in Eyre Creek which was dry as a bone. The temps today were approaching 30 degrees. Amazing! After lunch we passed a walker/runner crossing the desert fundraising for the RFDS. Good on her! She was wearing white and amazingly clean!!

Then it was on to the “Big Red”. Our final and largest dune to conquer!!

We all opted to give the middle path a go. We were all too loaded to try the extreme track. Stu was first, but didn’t get a good enough run up and just fell short of the top. Pete and Bruce made great efforts but didn’t quite make the crest either. They ended up cruising up on the third track. Up went the Col in the Defender... first go! Well done. Stu then also got over the top on the middle path. Not to be out done Cheryl and I had to prove our girl power and both made it up the middle track first time.

 A quick photo shoot and on to Birdsville, via a detour around the lake that was still on the east side of Big Red. It was very picturesque and a bird haven.

We all enjoyed our showers, dinners and a drink at the hotel. We sent some messages home, heard about Jessie and rang Katie to sing happy birthday to her! The laundry got worked overtime. A great day. Bye Simpson Desert! L

DAY 16

DAY 16

6^th July

Sleep in and rest day!!!!  J

We went for a walk to the ‘Post’ and stood in three different states. (Queensland, South Australia and Northern Territory. Took a stroll into Northern Territory across the salt lake.

 The kids created their own little Coober Pedy in the sand at our camp and enjoyed playing in it ALL DAY. We read, wrote in diaries, some slept, did more mechanical and electrical repairs and checked over cars. More work was needed on our shock absorbers.

We were all out of bread now so lunch saw many options of biscuits, wraps and pancakes.

A nice relaxing day. Alittle windy but nice and warm in the sun. The night ended with a game of charades.

DAY 15

DAY 15

5^th July

Up and packing for another day of driving through the mighty Simpson Desert. About 120 km to Poeppel Corner. We went east on Rig Road, lots more dunes, with the odd clay pan between. We stopped on one clay pan and all got out of the car to have a walk on the pan.

We then headed north along the Knolls Track towards Approdinna Attora Knolls. We drove through a little forest full of Gidgee Trees before arriving at the Knolls. Our car was again squeaking and clunking, so much for the new suspension and shocks we put in before our trip! We had to try and climb very carefully and nurse the car through all the bumps...pretty impossible!

At the Knolls we fought the wind and dust while we had some lunch. The Knolls, once the largest dunes in the Simpson, were created by Gypson Dust from the old lakes and sea beds being blown onto the dunes and creating a rocky crust. The Knolls are sacred to the local Aborigines and are a protected and fragile environment. We walked up the trail for a 360’ view over the Simpson and the nearby salt pan. We then continued back up to the French Line and headed east. Lots of sand dunes to conquer. One party of 6 cars pulled over for us to pass, they commented over the radio about the noises coming from ‘the old Pajero’.... funny..... like we couldn’t hear them!

The dunes were fun, lots of soft tops and bumps, so hard to get any run up. Nothing much was stopping the Pajero though! Even the T-Van and Casper were doing a super job. Some people we met earlier at the Lone Gum, Matt and Heidi, decided to tag along with us. We came to one large dune that had two options or tracks over it. Peer pressure and competitive spirit set in. I had two runs at the steep option with a super soft crest at the top....JUST fell short, right on the crest both times L so I reversed back down and took the alternative route. Peter sensibly took the alternative route with his Van, and so did Matt. Col’s first attempt saw him belly out at the top.

 After digging out he backed down and made it over on his second attempt. Casper then also bellied out at the top with two attempts. His front bull bar came off slightly when Col tried to pull him over the top. After being dug out and reversing back down, Bruce also had to take the easier option. One to the Defender. After that bit of fun it was time to continue on. Pete’s ticking engine was crying out for a drink of oil. Col had to turn around and go and give Matt a tow over a dune, then it was good going to Poeppel’s Corner Meeting point of the borders of South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Other groups of campers were already set up, so we found a spot on the Qld side of the border for our two nights of camping.

Jamie was happy with the menu tonight of spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. We were all looking forward to a good sleep in and rest day tomorrow.

DAY 14

DAY 14

4^th July

Another icy morning!! Ice inside and outside of the swag. Peter’s water pipes on the van were frozen, as was some milo water left over from Madison’s drink last night..it was frozen solid!

Today’s travels were from Purni Bore to the Lone Gum Tree via the French Line, Rig Road, across the Colsen Track, WAA Line and then the Erobena Track. About 150km of desert driving. We were on the move around 9am. Whilst travelling in the east direction(French Line and WAA Lines) the going was nice and sandy. We counted another 180 dunes, but couldn’t stick with all the counting after that. Heading south/north the tracks were flatter and firmer, though still lots of bumps and corrugations. Jack had a go driving in one of these sections on the Rig Road.

Whilst leading our convoy heading down the Rig Road we got to see our first wild camel. It wouldn’t leave the track but just trotted along in front of us. When we sped up it went into a canter, silly camel! Jamie said she would prefer to see its head rather than its ‘Bot bot”’! Finally, frothing at its mouth it left the road and trotted off towards a distant dune.

After a quick lunch and toilet break we were on the road again. Our car was making some funny squeaks and clunks! Quick inspection under the car and Stu noticed the rubber bushes had pulled through on the back right swing arm. After a bit of bush mechanics and some rubber cut from a spare mat that Parkes had we were back on the move, clunks much better. Clever boys in our party! We were also aware that the bush on the front passanger shocks was also looking very sick!

On the Erebena Track the other three kids (Jordan, Jessica and even Madison all had a turn at the wheel.

Finally, after 8 hours of travel time we made it to the Lone Gum Tree. Jamie was feeling very sympathetic towards the lonely tree. We set up camp and watched a beautiful moon rise just after sunset.

 We were camped amongst marsupial moles. They came out in the dozens after dusk, checking out our campsites. The kids had a little ‘photo shoot off’ to see who could get the best shot. Jack used my camera and did well.

DAY 13

DAY 13

3^rd July

We woke up to hear Jamie crying in her swag at about 6.30am. Stu went and checked on her... she was cold, seems to have trouble staying under her blankets. She crawled in with me to get warm and fell asleep for another couple of hours. A lovely sleep in. Mike didn’t get up till closer to 10am... his biggest ever sleep in!!

Before lunch we went off for a walk to explore Purni Bore. There was lots of evidence of wildlife. Mike liked following the animal tracks and Jamie liked finding the flowers. We couldn’t find a Sturt Desert Pea. Mike took note of our direction with his compass so we could find our way home.

Lots and lots of birdlife, kites, wedge tailed eagle, ducks and more!!! A wonderful little ecosystem, a bird lovers paradise. It was a lovely little family walk together, the kids set with their little red backpacks.

Back for a nice bacon and egg fry up for lunch. We discovered today that our milk cartons weren’t standing up to the bumps of the roads and we had to have a clean out of our food box!! Guess the milk won’t be so ‘long life’ now!

After lunch the older kids, including Madi and Mike headed for a walk and a bit of ‘Bear Grylls’ style movie making. Mike was so please to be included with them. Jamie and Haley once again caught up in their own imaginary world of play. Chez and I wandered over to the shower at Purni Bore for a nice long rinse. The water was a little hard and lots of minerals but well worth it anyway. Jamie and Michael both had a turn at helping do the dishes... have to train them young. They thought it was fun!! Lol!!

Another freezing night ahead of us!!!!!!!

Day 9

DAY 9

29^th June

FIONA”S BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Up nice and early after a windy night in the swags... though the roof top tents were more in the firing line than us! We were greeted by a magnificent sunrise across the plain. We were ready to leave by 8am, must have been a record!

Today we completed the remaining part of the Googs Track. A beautiful, fun, sandy, windy drive in beautiful shrubby countryside. Then we followed a gravel road along the railway track. After passing an abandoned mine we came in to the town of Tarcoola. We stopped outside the local hotel but it was closed for renovations. The hospital was also locked up, as was the school and every other building in the small town. It was like a ghost town (Mike thought he heard the footstep of a ghost). “Casper” should have felt right at home. Quite eerie.

We headed on along the gravel road, eventually stopping at Kingoonya for lunch. Once again the hotel was closed and not much sign of life around, so we went back to the local rest stop for lunch.

Further along the road we came to the Stuart Highway. A quick photo opportunity for Stuart and then it was another 260 odd kms to Coober Pedy. Straight, long open plain driving. As we neared Coober Pedy the mines started to dominate the landscape. It was exciting coming into town and finding our Underground Motel for the night. Nice clean showers and rooms. What luxury. Then after getting a little laundry and shopping done it was out on the town to celebrate Fiona’s Birthday and have dinner cooked for us!! Pizza it was, John’s Pizza found enough seats for us. Wow!! Huge pizzas!! Full Bellies!!! Even kangaroo and emu pizza...poor skippy L Lots of fun. Happy Birthday Fi!!!