Walkingtotheend

Thursday 15th July

Almost 2 weeks on the road already. 10 more to go we hope subject to Covid issues.

Pod has had a rest for 3 days at Alice Springs camping ground. Powered site almost $60 per day. Still worth it after 9 days free camping since leaving home. Fantastic showers. Have been to Uluru and Olgas during our visit to the red centre. Aiming for Kings Canyon tomorrow with 2 more free camp nights at Salt Creek Rest Area, Luritja Rd, Petermann whilst we check out Kings Canyon. Then another free night at Desert Oaks Rest Area on Stuart Highway before moving on to a caravan site in Alice Springs

Wednesday 14th July

Spent morning in camp babysitting our friends dogs whilst they went to see sunrise at Uluru. Unfortunately rain and grey clouds spoilt the sunrise but they were able to fit in the 10 k walking circuit around the rock whilst taking in the importance of the rock to our indigenous people as well as seeing close up its brilliant natural environment.

Later in afternoon the weather improved and Cath and I made another Uluru trip and checked out a section including water pools, rock paintings, brilliant rock formations and some beautiful trees.

Back to camp around 430 for wine o’clock and dinner of pumpkin soup (the last of the frozen dinners brought from home). Into bed by 8pm. Early nights are becoming the norm.

Tuesday 13th July

Spent the night in the camp overflow. I was able to take a good sunrise picture this morning before we moved to our reserved camp spots in the powered camping areas. We were set up by late morning and were charging batteries, filling water tanks and trying to shake off so much of the red sand / dust that had got into everything.

We went into the small Yuluru village to top up our food and drink from the local IGA. There is a Shell servo which we will use to top up when we leave Friday. Back to camp for the afternoon and then we went off to check out the sunset over Uluru at 530pm. What a fantastic experience.

Had a great dinner back at camp and were in bed by 9pm.

Tuesday 12th July

Left what I think was our most picturesque camp – Agnes Creek Rest Area this morning. We arrived at the border an hour or so later and was stopped by police to inspect our passes ( all ok). Onwards northward to the famous Eridunda Road house. After queuing for fuel ( $2.02 per litre) we took the Lassester highway to the left or West. Our aim was to camp around 150 k before Uluru but as we were making good time we made the call to keep going and arrived at the Alice Springs camp ground a day earlier than planned. We then had to wait about 2 hours to register to stay in the overflow area until our official sites were available tomorrow. We were able to see Uluru from a distance today but tomorrow will provide us time for a close up.

Sunday 11th July

Left Coober Pedy around 9 am and header north again on the Stuart Highway. A 320 k trip to Agnes Creek Rest Area. Another free camp which was fantastic. Spread over several hectares of undulating red soil with winding tracks linking dozens of great spots to stay. Nothing much happened on the drive as there was little to see along the way apart from amazing outback landscapes. Tomorrow we aim to get to NT so we have completed the necessary applications on our phones back at Cobber Pidy. All approved.

Saturday 10th July

A full day at Coober Pedy today. Visited many of the attractions including Old Timers Mine, several churches and the main museum . First stop was the view from The Big Winch. Unfortunately the weather was fine but very windy. We were covered in dust and when we got back to camp around 4 pm we were filthy and our drying washing was dry but covered with dust.

We managed a good wash and a pizza for tea and then went to the local drive in theatre. I think is the first time we went to a drive in for decades. Pooki loved it and slept on back seat very comfortably.

Pooki now getting into swing of this way of life and is very happy to get into the pod each night and hang around camp in the daytime.

Friday 9th July

Left our Gravel Pit – camp site and headed north to Coober Pedy. 210 ks later we arrived around 11:15 am. Found our free site at Old Timers mine site. Was a dusty area with another 5 or 6 van. No wind so all was good. Set up camp and went to town to top up some groceries and drinks. Our van battery was not charging from our solar panels so intend to look at that tomorrow. Town is very interesting and is primarily a town built on top of a series of opal mine sites. No grass and vegetation to speak of but plenty of dirt.

Thursday 8th July

Left camp this morning around 930. Had great night and long sleep. headed north on Stuart Highway intending to get a coffee as first town which was Woomara more than 100 ks later. Explored the museum and town. Got our coffee and proceeded on. A few ks up the road we stopped to get some drinks in case we had a campfire this evening. Arrived at another free camp around 230 pm. It was named gravel pit 36 ks north of Glendambo. And we did have a camp fire this evening. Weather slightly warmer again so managed to sleep with one less layer that evening.

Wednesday 7th July

Left Morgan around 9 am after filling up with fuel. Traveled through to Burra and on to North Tent hill which was about 35 ks north of Port August. Managed to purchase a new camp stove at Port Pirie to replace our broken one which died yesterday. Another free camp off the road in a maze of red soil tracks and scrub. Early night but slightly warmer than previous nights. Off to Woomera tomorrow.