Up to Coober Pedy

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For those who are new to this blog if you double click on the first photograph you will get all the photos in a slide show.

We headed off from Island Lagoon lookout and headed off into Woomera after having to tighten up a jubilee clip on our water lines, this involved removing part of the bash plating underneath. Water seems to be our nemesis.

We wanted some tomatoes and bread so headed off to the supermarket where tomatoes were cheaper than buying them in Clare! $4.10 kg, invested in three and some fresh spinach leaves. Tomatoes on our sandwiches for lunch.

Woomera is such a clean and tidy town. Not a thing out of place. We wandered around the outdoor display of rockets and weapons which were developed and launched during the stations heyday. Visited the information centre and the various displays there. There is a posh coffee shop in the centre and just as we arrived a but load of tourists arrived as well. We think the souvenir and coffee shop did very well out of the passengers. There is a small display inside as well including an area for Len Beadell the famous road maker.

Parking is set up very well for caravanners and it seems that tourism is the main industry today.

There is no fuel available in Woomera any more you have to go to Pimba 7 kms back on the highway. When we got there Wayne's mates were everywhere - members of the Ulysses motor bike club all growing old disgracefully together. Chewie got very excited and wanted to abandon is and hitch a ride with them.

Had a very gentle run north and amazed at how much germination has happened. I know that quite a but of rain has been had recently but the first flowers are already out. We arrived at our chosen overnight stay, the Hutchison Memorial just south of the town and as we descended into the depression where everyone camps we discovered that it has become very popular. There were already 10 vans in place when we arrived at 3:30 pm. Most were clustered together at the front of the ground so we headed for the back where only one other van was present. The area is very large and could accommodate many more vans, even if they chose to stay well apart. No facilities of course, just a free camping site.

We dined on Chevupchichi's and a lovely spinach salad.

The Coober Pedy road sign is faded but painted lovely colours, and Shane not the beaut sticker on the truck door. All you crows fans check that out as well.

This morning we went into Coober Pedy and did the tourist thing and visited the Old Timers Mine. Figured it suited our age group and we got to use our Seniors cards.

The first thing we found was information about a George Burford. This name is all around Brinkworth, Yacka and Koolunga, wonder if he was any relation. And another one of how they used to do Mieke's dad's job of Air Leg Miner.

Chris was very impressed with the coin operated water browsers near the information centre 20c for 30 litres, such a sensible idea. We got 70c worth to top up our tanks.

Whilst in the tourist centre we checked the weather report for the Great Central Road. For the days we have permits the chances of rain are 20%, 20%, 50%, 60%, 60% and the Docker River Road still is classed as caution. We have decided to go back to Port Augusta and head across the Nullabor on the way over and to reapply for permits to do the GCR on the way home instead. It is overcast and we have had some spots of rain.

How we will proceed from Port Augusta is yet to be decided, straight through or wander over more of the Eyre Peninsula.

We are returning to the Hutchison Memorial camp ground to grab a really good possie for the night and will head south tomorrow.

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Comments

[Silver Kestrel 2]

Whoops- that wasn't supposed to happen
Back again, fat fingers was the culprit. I didn't go into the town at Woomera, R did, I stayed in the van park cleaning up after having failed to lock the little pantry door prior to leaving Pt Augusta. I will go to the coffee shop next time.