Emeralds, Opals and other gems....

---

‘Oh Dad, were not in the olden days now like back in the 1980’s.’ That was Curtis’s response to Colin commenting on maybe doing some fossicking in the area known for its gemstones at a place called Glen Innes, northern NSW. Ok, I admit Colin and I are not spring chickens anymore, but ‘OLDEN DAYS’. Anyway after much laughter, we checked the nightly weather report, Glen Innes -5 Dec. (that’s minus 5) overnight with the day being a spritely 10, we quickly changed our mind, a bit of a shame as I was going to find me some emeralds in those hills.

So as I write this we are in Tamworth NSW, home to Australian country music. Today we have added another member to our travelling troop with Curtis joining us for 2 weeks.

Within moments of Curtis entering the car, Mali and Curtis got acquainted with the portable DVD player and a movie. The player is Mali’s pride and joy, and for the entire trip he has been watching movie after movie, pushing buttons, plugging the machine in and is now a competent DVD operator.

We slept in the tent the first few nights, but since then have resorted to other forms of accommodation, as the icy cold nights made us incapable of functioning as normal human beings. Colin was amazed at having to scrap and clean off the ice from the car windows, while I was basically not impressed.

Spent a night in Laverton and Warburton WA in brand new Donga’s and a $240 ‘Budget room’ at Uluru NT with no heater. The wind was the worst: strong, cold and hard to find protection from.

We then headed south on the Stuart Highway to Coober Pedy SA. As you begin entering into the town small mountain piles of white dirt start to appear as miners look for that elusive opal that the town is well known for. We stayed underground in an old mine that had been transformed into a Motel, and had a great time joining in on a tour. Learnt about how opal had been created, what to look for in the dirt and went back to our room, with a pick I got for my birthday, and worked that earth with some digging of our own. Only joking!

2-night stop in Peterborough SA, gave us a break from the driving and were we managed to do a load of washing. We introduced ourselves to the local Cabinetmaker, stayed in our very first pub, ‘the Railway Hotel’ with shared bathroom, I did some family history research at the library, had lunch at the 90year old theatre and visited the railway museum which fascinated Mali. With around 20 antique trains, Mali thought he was in the ‘Thomas the Tank Engine and friends’ cartoon. He was truly obsessed and madly went from one train to another with speed and force. Everyone on the tour was best to move out of his way as this boy was on a mission to push and pull every button, steering wheel, lever and moving thing that was possible.

At Broken Hill stayed in a Caravan Park cabin, visited the mining museum were both Colin and myself learnt from both our amazement and stupidity what BHP actually stood for. ‘Broken Hill Proprietors’, the beginnings of BHP and where all the money was created. Enough of these words, I’m finished for now! Check in a couple of days. Love to everyone.

---

Photos

CAMPING OUT
Our camp set-up near Laverton WA, with fire to keep us warm.

HOTEL STAY
The Railway Hotel in Peterborough SA, she's a beauty.

LUNCH AT THE THEATRE
Gorgeous old building, donut with lemon sauce to die for

RAIL HERITAGE
Peterborough SA Train Museum.

COOBER PEDY
Jumping around underground with Mali

ON THE HILL
Coober Pedy on top of the world, looking down from our Motel

MAli and ME
Colin and Mali enjoying the view

THE HOOD
Mali posing at Woomera for the camera

ZOO
The Dubbo Zoo

Comments

[Sharon]

Sounds lijke a wild trip so far.
Great to hear fron you. Love the photos. Well has it been cold out there in travel land soooo cold. Makes it hard for you to do things. Welocme Curtis!! Have a good holiday with the mad ones. Waiting with bated breath for the next one. Love Sharon Mum Nana xxx