Darwin or Bust

Well its time to get the blog underway again for the latest McLennan adventure. Stymied by a dodgy ticker we are forced to take our holiday in Oz - cancelling (at great expense) the well planned and Chris pacifying venture to the US of A.

No matter. We challenge ourselves as usual. DARWIN or bust!

So we start of on Monday morning (not early as we slept in) following a hectic weekend. Firstly the Grand Final followed by a well planned Russian extravaganza that tested both the new ticker and the old new shoulder - with frantic dancing including throwing around the grandson No1 to the music of a couple of fairly buxom Russian wenches that would test ANY ticker of advancing age! (Grandson No2 did his best to thwart the night, but all except Mandy continued to enjoy the night celebrating Steve’s 30th). Pleasingly Cooper settled well once home and has continued to thrive by all accounts. Mandy has also since recovered!

A BBQ with old travel friends the following day only served to further test the mettle of the soon to be weary travellers.

Anyway, we got off at around 10.30 on Monday. We had intended to do a daily blog as per travels in China, South America, and other far flung 3rd world travels. Alas, we find that the internet is not available at most places we are to stop. Indeed, the mobile is of little use, and we are lucky to have reliable ELECTRICITY!

So, following a picnic lunch in Ararat, we made Murray Bridge by nightfall - turning back the clock the obligatory 30 minutes (and 20 years) once we crossed the SA border. As ex residents (and land owners) of the aforesaid, we are entitles to espouse that view.

The next day, our trusty GPS (with a couple of tweaks) takes us through firstly the Barossa and then the Clare valleys on our way to Port Augusta - our second stop. Some fine old buildings in Angaston were quite photogenic and a local assured us that they had appeared in McLeod’s Daughters…….. must be good!

A lovely drive through the Southern Flinders Ranges that, following recent rains, was greener than at any of the previous times we have travelled this route. Amazingly, we stopped at a remote hamlet by the name of Laura for lunch. It took us that long to find a table and chair wayside. Lo and behold, we were joined by the loneliest of individuals we have ever met. Just wanted a chat. I could give you great details about his life but suffice to say, we grinned and bore it (? is that correct?).

Port August was just as we remember it! Nuff said. We did however have a great cabin van at the local BIG4 park. Great night.

The next day we head off with some trepidation to Coober Pedy. IT is, after all, about as remote as you can get. We soldier on despite some hearty misgivings. Apart from being as boring as dog poo, we had the added inconvenience of Dust! More than we have ever seen. For the whole trip! As we were still some way out of CP, we mused at the lack of mobile cover. Weird considering that we could get cover in the most remote areas of Zimbabwe - notwithstanding their financial traumas. Then, lo and behold, we get a call - zero bars mind you. A delightful Asian lady with a wrong number - looking for Amy and wanting to know why I had the audacity to answer HER call. Hmmmmmm.

On arrival at the dusty haven of CP, the skies opened up. Thunderstorm and the works. Go figure!

No matter. We head under ground for both a mine tour thru an historic mine (actually a bit of a museum) and then an underground Hotel. Both fascinating. We stocked up on food again ready for the drive tomorrow to Uluru. It rained all night in CP, and many parts were mildly flooded.

Travel on the next day (around 800 kms) was almost entirely in rain. Nice to know that it settled the dust. In the interest of economics, we decided to stay outside Yulara at a motel on the Curtin Springs Homestead. We booked ahead for convenience.

WE were greeted at Curtain Springs by Basil Fawlty’s Mother in Law. Bloody hell. Everything was too much trouble for her, but we stayed anyway (she had our card number and was gonna hit us come what may).

We had time to drive into Uluru that night (80 kms) and catch a magnificent sunset. Well worth the drive. We dine at Basil’s restaurant that night - and only Manuel was missing. The food was Crap!

We need to talk about the $140 rooms. A bed and a shower. No fridge, no TV, but the best in the area. We learn. The next night we BBQ Salmon ourselves for a magnificent meal. (Prices at the Yulara supermarket are surprisingly reasonable).

In between, we head out to Uluru and the Olgas on Friday. Magnificent. Despite the dodgy ticker (which has recovered from the weekends dancing), we walk around Uluru (12 kms) and partly through the Olgas. Both magnificent and both different. Well worth the visit, but next time we would pay the $400 per night and stay at Yulara.

And so, onto the Alice where you now find your correspondent. Our first afternoon here has been interesting. The topography is fascinating. Cant wait for the next few days. We will do some touring ourselves as well as some organised tours. We have a great apartment here, but only for 2 nights at this stage (unless someone cancels or leaves early). We will find another. Meantime, I will post this at great expense as Alice has WiFi. Amazing!

Enjoy the pics which in the light of the above, should be self explanatory.

See how you go.

Health is holding up well, and the backs have managed the 3000 odd kms so far. Having a great time.

Until later! BTW, having troubles uploading pics. They are now on my facebook page. If you have troubles, write to me for access.

Chris and Ian

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