SIMPSON'S GAP

CONT. DAY 14



Simpson's Gap



From Stanley Gorge we continued on to Simpson's Gap where the battery in the camera became flat.  So it was time to go home. (where ever home is)

OFF TO ALICE

DAY 14

Arrived in Alice just before lunch.  After getting set up we took ourselfs off to Stanley Gorge.  I was suprised with Alice Springs, I thought the landscape would be very flat but in fact it is nestled in the MacDonald Ranges.  Stanley Gorge was another gem. 

KINGS CANYON CONT.

KINGS CANYON CONT.

                           Some of the wild life.

KINGS CANYON

DAY 13

Off to Kings Canyon.  Arriving there just before lunch.  The scenery continues to be beautiful.  Nothing seems spoiled.  We went on one of the smaller walkes, (time restraint)  It only took about 1 1/2 hrs.  When we got there there was a small swimming hole with a man sitting up on the rock playing a digerido .  It just seemed the right place.

Some of the Flora in the canyon.

THE OLGA'S CONT.

THE OLGA'S CONT.


Just before sunset



Sunset



End of another good day

THE OLGA'S

DAY 13



John making himself comfortable



What John saw while hiking

Had an easy morning today.  Skyped Mel and the children this morning.  Had lots of fun trying to get the sound to work.  Mel could hear me but I couldn't hear her.  After doing all our chores (washing, food shopping, getting petrol etc) we then went out to the Olga's.   John went for a hike up into the Olga's while I sat and read a book.  After he got back we made our way to the viewing area to wait for sunset.  This time we came prepared ( had the champas and nibbles)  great way to watch the sun set.

ULARU AT SUNSET

ULARU AT SUNSET

Sun starting to drop

Sun just about set

ULARU

ULARU Cont.

Just to show you we are here

John still holding things together

Trying to keep the flies at bay

OFF TO ULARU

DAY 11 & 12

Can even do good coffee while travelling

Spent yesterday driving all day.  Probably our biggest drive so far.  Left about 8.30 and stopped about 6.30 at a rest area.



Today we arrived at Ulara.  Settled in at our campsite then had a look around the town. (Consists of around half a dozen shops).


Sites while travelling



Camel riding at Ulara

 We then went out to Ularu.  The size of Ularu is very impressive.  Went through the cultural centre (which was really interesting), then drove around the "Rock" before making our way to the sunset viewing area. 

Continuing



A church built underground



We then finished the night with fireworks. (Just across the road from where we are camping)

The Day Continues

DAY 9 cont

We arrived back in Coober Pedy around 1.30.  I must say my flying stomach is about as good as my deep sea fishing stomach. (not too good).

Today was Coober Pedy's Opal Festival, their biggest event for the year.  It was really very low keyed.  No stalls, a jumping castle, some races for the kids, a moterbike display and not a lot more.



John working some of the equipment



How it use to be



Inside a house underground

We then went to a opal mine museum, and a house underground,  Then visited a church that was also built under ground.

Lake Eyre

DAY 9 cont

We then land at William Creek for refueling.  We picked up another couple and then took off for Lake Eyre.


Lake Eyre



More of Lake Eyre

 It was just amazing.  The colours and the amount of water in the lake was incredible.

Painted Hills

DAY 9

What a day we have had today.  Had to be at Coober Pedy Airport by 7.45 for our flight.  Left about 8.30,


Painted Hills



Initially there was only John & I with the pilot for the first part of our trip.  We went over the Painted Hills.  We were probably in the air for about 1 1/2 hours.  The colour of the landscape is just amazing.  The deep reds and everywhere you look there was greenery and water.  The pilot has been flying in this area for over 20 years and has never seen the outback like it is at the moment.  He believes he will never see it like it is now at least in his life time.  So I think we have come at a good time.



Some of the scenery



MORE PHOTO'S

DAY 8 CONT



Changing colours at sunset



Sunset



COOBER PEDY

DAY 8

INCIDENT 7  We ran out of water. This is the last thing we want to run out of.  When John filled the van up at Broken Hill the water overflowed so you would assume that the tank is full.  Well apparently a wasp nest had formed over the air release pipe so this created an air blockage so the tank wasn't filling.   FIXED NOW.



This is undergound



mine sites



Arrived in Coober Pedy this morning, got set up, fixed up photo's then went exploying.  Visited. the Desert Cave (a hotel built under ground). Then had a look around the town. Then made our way out to the Breakaways to view this site at sunset.  On the way out went past a lot of mine sites. (or rubble sites)




 


Breakaway



Continuing

DAY 7 CONT.


an old home



Caravan Van Park


From there we went into Roxby Downs.  John wanted to go to the Olympic Dam site but tours finished yesterday and don't resume until after Easter.  So instead we took a 30min drive out to Andamooka.  A friend told me to go out to the pub for lunch (thanks Mary it was great).  Amazing place.



John working hard



Nothing like a good fire and a glass of cold wine.



Then back on the road.  Stopping at a free camp site called Mulga Rest Area.  No one there except us.  John went bush looking for fire wood for our camp fire. 

BACK ON THE ROAD

DAY 6



 Left Broken Hill early stopping along the way for a cooked breakfast.



scenery



Lagoon Lake



The scenery is about the same, flat and sparce with the occasional sheep or emu (NO kangaroo's).  Stopped for a late lunch and to pick up more groceries (as we had to get rid or all our fruit & vegi's once again) at Port Augusta.  Then continued on stopping for the night at a little place called Pimba.



Pimba

DAY 7

John about to take off

This morning we visited Woomera.  Looks very much like little Canberra. Very orderly.  The Defense Force owns it.  You can only live there if your employed for 30 hours or more per week. A lot of housing not being used.  Went through the museum (John enjoyed that,) 

NEARLY INCIDENT FREE

DAY 5
This is my second attempt.  I just deleted everything I had written for this entrey.  Ok INCIDENT 6 Went to put the jug on for a cuppa this morning and of course it wouldn't go.  Never mind we are still in Broken Hill and Big W is only down the road so I just had to get another one. ($8.50 for a cordless jug).

Today we decided to go out to Lake Menindee which is about 120klm west of Broken Hill.  Very flat drive and the only thing we saw between here and Menindee were emu's. 

Lake Menindee

Lake Menindee



Darling River

 Lake Menindee has had very little water in it for many years but since all the rain this year not only is Lake Menindee completely full but a number of smaller lakes around Lake Menindee are full as well.  Absolutely beautiful.  The Darling River runs through Menindee and "Burke & Wills camped here".



Pro Hart's Rolls Royce

 When we got back to Broken Hill decided to go and have a look at Pro Hart's Gallery.  His Rolls Royce was something to look at.