Day 9 Kata Tjuta

 

 Today we ventured out to Kata Tjuta and I decided to brave it, and attempt the Valley of the Winds walk. It was a 7.5 km walk with a grade 4 difficult and steep rating. The track was very well maintained and easy in parts but it took us between the rock formations, and up and over a smaller adjoining rock between two tall formations with sheer cliff faces on either side and then over to the other side, and through the valley and then back to the start. The conglomerate rocks were as majestic around us, as they were from afar. The path was steep, and you had to remember to stop and look up to appreciate the size and beauty of the cliffs around you, and not just focus on not falling over. We had wonderful conversations with friends David and Brenda as we walked together, so the difficulty and the time passed much more easily. The trillion flies also came with us, but would always disappear when the gusts of wind came through, as the valley lived up to its name. The breeze was most welcome, from the sun bearing down on us. It took a little over 3 hours to do, and I was so proud of this achievement. I needed a break and extra IV fluids after the effort, but for me this was huge and I loved every minute.

during the walk i had constant reminders of a previous visit here in 1995 that i did with my mates Gary and Rod , where valley of the winds took on several meanings,mainly due to the diet of tinned irish stew at the time, we have a photo of Gary and Rod doing Peter Garrett impersonations in the middle of the valley, which i unfortunately couldnt recreate as they have declared that vista a "no photos due to cultural significance" location. probably better for the greater good too.  

 We returned to the camp ground to recover and rest, before we explored the Desert Sails shops and found some fly nets to wear for future walks, to reduce the fly factor. Matt spotted a little gecko on our stroll around. The Clippers are creating a bit of a stir and we keep noticing both tourists and Yulara resort staff doing a drive by with cameras in hand through the campground and past us. I was accosted by another old bloke this afternoon telling me his endless bus stories...

After an early dinner, we went out to the drone show, that we had booked. We were meant to go the previous night, but we had been told the drones might not be flying due to the wind, so we decided to postpone to tonight instead of risking them not flying. We found out that they did end up flying last night after all. But sadly, for us tonight, the wind picked up and they didn't fly the drones, so disappointing for us. But Matt, David and Brenda were able to enjoy the wine and cheese platters and they did provide a laser light show, that was spectacular in itself.

i probably shouldnt mention that David said out loud that a nicely dressed older lady had a tea cosy on her head , much to the amusement of a different lady standing within earshot, to whom Brenda apologized for her husband, but i'm sure it had nothing to do with the wine , and it was just an accurate observation, Sal better keep writing the rest, cause the wine kept coming, and it has kicked in....

 I know we will feel the effects of the walk tomorrow, but it was well worth it. I really felt God's presence in the rugged beauty and magnificence of Kata Tjuta, and to be honest, I reckon they are actually more amazing than Uluru, especially since doing this walk. It was very spiritual there and I can understand why it is such a significant place for the Indigenous people in the Anangu area.

Day 8 Erldunda to Uluru

Short drive today, only 240km. 

I've decided on a new format for knowing who is writing this blog , as we both have a go from time to time, although Sal writes most of them and uses capital letters more than me. 

So Matt writes in Italic as i have done here and

Sal will write in straight normal text.   cause shes not as wonky and distorted as me. 

that way i dont have to keep saying "matt here" though everyone would know cause i didn't use capitals or apostrophes . 

on to today...

We had a sleep in, due to the lesser distance heading out to Yulara. We had a brief stop at the lookout to Mt Connor and became another attraction for the tourists getting off a tour coach at the lookout. We reached the big red rock in the middle of nowhere, and took the Mala walk around some of the key sacred sites. It was a walk we had taken our kids on back in 2004, aged 6 1/2, 5 1/2, 3 and 1 1/2. Needless to say it was a lot quieter and faster this time around, but I did miss those little people. From there, we did the drive around the rock, before getting educated at the cultural centre. It was a perfect 26 degree day, but the flies were out in their trillions, and we were constantly fighting to breathe and not swallow them. After checking in to the campground and doing some washing, we headed out in the Baker's Clipper to the sunset viewing area; but this time, we got to park in the bus zone viewing area, which despite being full of coach tours, we had a better view and it was less crowded. The little Clipper coach looked quite small with the big coaches on either side. We even had cheeses and drinks to enjoy like the proper tour groups. It was a beautiful sunset and worth the effort. We headed back to the campground for dinner and a quiet night.

 

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.

 

Day 6 Peterborough to Mount Eba near Coober Pedy

Today was a long day of driving, but the scenery was varied and quite spectacular. We wound our way past the outer mountains of the Flinder's Ranges, before reaching the sea at Port Augusta. The farms are very desolate through Orroroo and Wilmington. We stopped at Pimba for lunch before heading out to Woomera to explore the former missile research and testing facilities. Very interesting museum and insight into the community that lived and worked there from the early '50's. From there it was back onto the Stuart Highway. Tonight we have stopped about 130km south of Coober Pedy, on a roadside stop. Great night to watch the sunset and stargaze. It's very dry out here and very flat, you can see quite a distance away, including watching the trucks pull up 5km away at the truck stop. Hence, a great place to test long range missiles!

 

Port Augusta

Woomera

 

Mount Eba (no mountain though)

 

Day 5 Renmark to Peterborough

We packed up to leave before spending time saying goodbye to our beloved Clipper club family. The members of the Clipper club have become exactly that, a family. We wouldn't have been able to purchase and restore Bridget in the time we did, without them. For those who are unaware, Bridget, our Clipper was a wreck when we bought her, and a member of the club let us have her taken to their property, to be stored and restored there. We then had over 15 club members come from across Australia to help pull her apart, then a few months later a handful helped put the new engine and gearbox in, and then a few months after that, they came and put her back together. Without that help, there was no way we could have done that ourselves in that time. This is the sort of people they are, and we love not only sharing in travelling together in our Flxible Clippers, but encouraging and supporting each other in life, (and sharing tips, advice, parts and helping in repairs). They are a wonderful bunch of human beings. 

After our farewells, we headed of with our good Clipper club friends David and Brenda Baker from Coonabarabran. Our first stop was Morgan for lunch by the Murray River. Then we stopped in Burra for a brief stop at an Antique store, always on the lookout for items on our sons wishlist for their old cars, like bonnet badges. From there we drove to Peterborough, which is near the Flinders Ranges. We have camped up in the free camp under the stars tonight. Today was only a 300km drive but we will have a long drive tomorrow.

the Burra and mt Bryan areas we drove through this afternoon are the true outback South Australia to me (matt) as i spent many christmas holidays in this area visiting my mums sister on their Sheep/wheat farm at mt Bryan. the rolling bare hills and derelict stone farms houses evoke so many memories for me . i'm on holidays now...

Day 4 Clipper rally Renmark continued

 This morning the Clippers were invited to essentially gatecrash the Jensen car club's rally show and shine display, by the Murray River in Renmark. The Clippers parked in the street and the Jensen's were parked on the grass. Jensen's are pretty cool sports cars made in the '70's with an Italian design,  but British made car with a Chrysler v8 engine. As they were very expensive compared to Australian built cars in the day, not many were bought in Australia, so most are imported in subsequent years. 

 

After our gatecrash, the Clippers headed in convoy to a scenic lookout overlooking the Murray river and then we headed to a boutique Brewery for lunch. Matt and I explored an antique shop after lunch, before returning to the caravan park for a relaxing afternoon and time with our friends, and club meeting and supper together.

Looking forward to the top end adventures beginning, as we move on tomorrow and start heading north. So don't tune out yet.

Day 3 Clipper Rally in Renmark

Today was a relaxing day spent chatting with our Clipper club members in the morning and a leisurely cruise in the restored paddle steamer PS Industry on the might Murray in afternoon. The boat had been a working boat on the Murray, clearing debris from the river. Perfect weather for the sail.

 The parked up Clippers by the river, always gaining attention and starting conversations. A stroll across the river to the other side for a pub dinner and more casual conversations. A very chilled day.