Day 7 Mt Eba to Erldunda

 We awoke early, as my pump alarmed, and Matt lifted the blinds to reveal an emerging sunrise on the horizon. So we were able to enjoy this spectacular way to start the day, and I was able to write my prayer journal, immersed in God's creation. Before long we were back on the road, and reached Coober Pedy. We popped into the shops to grab a few fresh items, before getting back on the road. We had lunch at Marla and a break, and like most times we stop, got surrounded by people asking questions or wanting to take photos of the Clippers. Back on the road, I was able to participate in a Zoom call for one of the research projects that I am involved in, as a consumer advocate. I sat on the bed up the back, while Matt was driving and I talked with the researchers back in Queensland (thanks to having the Starlink). After the meeting and I had a nap, we crossed the border into the Northern Territory. The difference in the flora and vegetation couldn't have been more stark, between the two states.  It became very green, with lots of lush grass, different types of trees, different soil, and the rocky outcrops and mountains were different, as soon as we crossed the border. It was evident that NT received the rain and SA missed out. SA had been very dry, brown, and the soil was rocky and trees were short and many were dead. It was also very flat. Interesting to observe,

 

 

just before we got into NT, we had heard earlier in the day on the UHF radio, that there was a road train that had lost it's third trailer  near the border. as we got closer to the incident, there was only the other truckies letting each other know that "ya had better take it easy up ahead as theres a trailer rolled over and dirt and gravel everywhere " what they failed to mention was that it was still in the middle of the road. with one copper parking his car infront of it with the lights flashing in the lane it was blocking. no traffic control, no signs, just a dead trailer and a copper that we saw after we had passed it. 

 

We ended the drive today at Erldunda, the corner of the Stuart and Lassetter Highways. We had stayed here when we took our 4 children to Uluru, back in 2004, when our youngest was only 1 1/2. Some things had changed, but some were still the same. We arrived in time to head over to a viewing platform and watch the sunset. We were able to take some great photos, as we enjoyed the beautiful colours and cloud formations as the sun disappeared on the horizon, with our Clipper travelling companions, Brenda and David, and a few others staying in the campground. The other campers warned us to expect a very early wake up call from the resident rooster 'Cluck Norris'.  A slight mishap with my TPN tonight, but luckily  we have spares, so I don't miss out on fluids and nutrition. We head to Yulara tomorrow.