Advertisement
Published: August 24th 2010
Edit Blog Post
HARTS RANGE
VIEWS OVER AMBLINDIM STATION, ARLTUNGA We struck it rich, so sorry everyone we will not be returning home now.
Colin, Mali and I did some fossicking at GEM TREE (40km’s east on Plenty H’way - off Stuart H’way) and found approx 35 garnets.
We actually did a fossicking tour; we worked our arse off for 4 hours playing in the dirt. Sifting, sorting, picking and shoveling. It became a competition with Colin as I found the first 5. Once we got into a rhythm it felt like I was born to do it, in my blood you could say. Some of you might know I am doing a little family tree investigating, and my great grandfather was a miner amongst other things in the same area.
Then east a further 100km’s to ARLTUNGA. We visited the information centre which to our surprise had a photo of Tom Cleary (Great grandfather) with his big Merv Hughes moustache taken back in the early 1900’s. It was a fascinating place with old stone buildings from the earliest gold rush in central Australia. Of course, we spent hours checking out rocks on the ground hoping for that reef of gold. We even went down to a creek bed and shoveled
VAST SPACE
ARLTUNGA COUNRTY out some sand to see what we could find. Surrounded by ranges the scenery was gorgeous. The nights were 2 of the coldest nights on the trip but the days beautiful. We had a great time and intend to go back with Dad in the future. Back on the ‘Ross Highway’, past the ‘Ross River’ and then ‘Jessie Gap’ and we ended up in ALICE SPRINGS.
After the torment of icy cold nights at Arltunga we booked into a hotel much to my relief. Once there I continued my search for family connections by going to the local Catholic Church. Found the baptism of my grandmother at the age of ten years old in 1933 listed, and was much relieved to have found something. Meet a lovely Fijian/Indian lady and Brother Jay of Indonesia decent at the church who helped with my search. Brother Jay drove me around Alice Springs for half a day trying to find 3 elder women who he believed would know something but with no luck. Got my hair dyed red (just like Julia Gillard Colin says) brought clothes and went out for dinner. The weather was unusually balmy at that time of year and we
ARTUNGA HISTORICAL TOWN
THE OLD POLICE STATION AND GOAL enjoyed just wondering around. Loved life but on the road we must go, heading out to ULURU.
Unfortunately for Colin the Uluru climb was closed due to strong winds. It’s the second time now this has happened to Colin and so wants to complete the challenge. Instead we did a walk thru ‘the Olgas’ and the shops.
From there travelled on the ‘Great Central Highway’ across the WA border. Colin is still traumatised by the 150km drive from Uluru, as it rained heavily. The car slipped on the ochre dust highway, water filling in the corrugation’s and although he didn’t make me aware at the time, was extremely worried how it would all end up. Just relax; it will be fine I say! He is still recovering.
Camped at WARBURTON, highlight the camp kitchen where Colin cooked us pancakes and apparently a thief stole diesel out of someone’s car. Then onto LAVERTON, highlight the camp kitchen that was warm and had a TV while Mali carved up the massive toy box. All the oldies played with Mali and he was much loved.
Currently as I type we are in MEEKATHARA. The highlight for me, we splashed out and got a
MINERS QUARTERS
ARLTUNGA AND MALI room for the night at a Caravan Park with a real TV and warmth. We can hear the suckers outside our window banging tent pegs into the ground. What luxury (how my standards have changed/lowered?).
So finally for the first time on the trip I am up to date with this god-dammed blog.
Where to from here I hear you say? Tomorrow we are driving 350k’s of unsealed road to Mt Augustus. Once there we will climb the mountain (6hr round trip) check out the mica mine and any other interesting things we find along the way. We will spend 3 or 4 nights in the area and then head home for Carnarvon.
All up the trip will be 2 months of driving along this beautiful, magic country travelling over 10,000k’s; we have seen some of the most impressive sights that you could see any where in the world. How lucky we are. I feel closer to the land, closer to my heritage, both black and white, closer to family (present and past). But most of all, watching Mali grow up - daily, and seeing the strong energy he has for life and people. That’s got to be a good
start to his wonderful life.
And NO we are not rich. The garnets are worth nothing in financial terms (maybe $50), just loved for its sentimental value. Over and out.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.098s; Tpl: 0.02s; cc: 15; qc: 52; dbt: 0.0593s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Ross
non-member comment
Real Talent
Arvo' Chelle , Colin and Walkabout - Poss , you have a real flair for writing - your " blogs " ( what the bloody hell is a blog anyway ? ) are quite brilliant - humorous , emotional , and always entertaining . You have to organise , somehow , to send Nana a hard copy of all your "blogs " ( what the bloody hell is a blog anyway !!!! ) . I know she would get so much enjoyment from them ( no doubt , Shane and Pa would too ) . Yes , the Marlster , has had a wonderful beginning to , hopefully , a happy and prosperous life - lucky boy . I dont think I can wait for you mob to come up here again , so we can visit Harts Range / Arltunga etc. , I've got to get there sooner . All the best Dad