ART AND CULTURAL CENTRE

Woke up to pouring rain and freezing cold. Stayed in bed until 10am. Neighbour came to door for a chat. We decided to got the Arts and Cultural Centre. It is a self guided tour around the site. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the art, cultural and heritage of Central Australia. The site is at Araluen and was home to Eddie Connellan, a pioneer of aviation in Northern Territory. The original hangar, homestead, and associated buildings form part of this site.
The Arts Centre contains paintings from Albert Namatjira and his descendants. There is also a section displaying Aboriginal arts from Central Australia and contemporary arts by local and Australian artists.
There is a craft section which is run by the Central Craft. They have workshops such as silk painting which was on today. Also an extensive shop selling jewellery, pottery, weaving, printed silk, and woodwork.
There is also a musuem taking you on a journey through the fascinating evolution of Central Australia from ancient rocks containing the earliest traces of of life, and evidence of a great inland sea. There is also an ancient waterhole, a giant freshwater crocodile, the largest bird that ever lived, Dromornis stirtoni dated at eight million years old.
The Strehlow Research centre is also here. They depict the life and works of the late Professor Ted Strehlow who from the early 1930's was a patrol officer and researcher among the Larrente people.
Their is also a cemetery where Eddie Connellan, Albert Namatjira, Harold Lasseter and Olive Pink who also lived in the Olive pink Botanical Gardens

TRANSPORT MUSUEM AND COFFEE

Les went to the transport museum. Apparently they have an array of old trucks and cars. An array of number plates that covers the wall of a shed. The first road train to be used in the Northern Territory and a Kenworth dealers display.
I went up town with Helen to have coffee with Amalia. We also went to a few shops to get stuff for our baskets. Came home and had lunch, and went back again as they had fabric to cover my lounge. Also brought some fabric to make wall hangings. Had a lovely day. Found out about the Finke Desert Races. They start on Friday where all the 4WD and motor bikes are scrutinised. Then on Sat they are allocated their starting place for 4WD, and then bikes are allocated. They start the race on Sunday. I was told people take BBQ for breakfast while they watch the race. This finishes around 12pm. Then on Sunday the 4WD and then bikes return to Alice from Finke around 9.30. I am really looking forward to this. It sounds great!!!!!!

BASKET WEAVING AND SHOPPING

We had to take Albert up to the car repairs. I went shopping. Helen did another basket weaving class. Amalia and myself started on a handbag. We are using cane, wool, hemp, stranded branches from trees,and other media. It is really great and I am loving it. Amalia has an job interview tomorrow and then we are going to have coffee with her After that we are going to get some wool and cottons for our baskets. I am really loving this. Its great. Les went to bowls. He played well. Had interestin conversation with other bowler re: the culture of Alice Springs and surroundind areas.

Emma and Jessie Gorge and Trephina Gorge

We went out to Emma Gorge and then Jessie Gorge. It was just a short walk into the gorges. Emma Gorge had lots of birds, and a brilliant rock wall, reaching high into the sky. Jessie Gorge was quite different. There were no birds. We then went out to Trephina Gorge. We took Helen with us. Her partner has gone home to clean up the debris from the floods. The walk up to the gorge was absolutely beautiful. It was extremely high. We then reached a point where you could look down into the gorge and observe a pool of water, and sand which forms the bottom of the river. The view was worth the walk up the hill. We then followed the ridge around to the other side, until we got to a steep decline down into the gorge. Once, in the gorge we walked along the sand bed. We talked to two boys and their headmaster who were camping at Ross River homestead. Said he was a great Headmaster. Other boys were walking along the ridge with a Policeman. It was a great day and we thoroughly enjoyed the walks.

TELEGRAPH STATION REPTILE CENTRE SCHOOL OF THE AIR

The Alice Springs Telegraph Station was one of twelve repeater stations constructed along the Overland Telegraph Line in the early 1870's to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. The completion of the line commenced a new era in Australia for it enabled fast and direct communication between Britain and her independent Australian colonies. Sir Charles Todd was responsible for the construction of the overland telegraph Line from Port Augusta to Darwin. The line is 3,200 metres long and was started in December 1870, and despite many difficulties was completed two years later.
We then went to the Alice Springs Reptile Centre. There were snakes, blue tongued lizards, skinks, crocodiles and lots more. We listened to a great talk on the animals and their eating and survival skills. We then got to hold them and take photos. Not the crocodile, but all the others. We saw the crocodile being fed.
We saw Y7 being tutored in Science. Computers have just recently been introduced and has opened up a new world for both teachers and students. We also watched a video of Y1 students. They were asked if they had any news. Each child introduced themselves and said hello to the teacher. One child told them of the snake they saw on a picnic, which his Pop killed. The teacher asked him what sort of snake was it. The child said it was a King Brown snake. WHOOPS DEADLY!!
We then went to the Olive Pink Botanical Garden. Didn't have enough time to look around, but chatted to a couple and his mother. Took a great photo of a timber entrance surround with old railway track spikes. GREAT PHOTO!!!!! We had a coffee and cake as we hadn't had lunch. Arrived home and relaxed.

TRAEGA OLD TIMERS MUSUEM

We took Albert who is camped behind us to the crash repairer. His wife had a car accident a few days ago and is hospital waiting for a skin graft. He doesn't drive, so needed assistance to get his car assessed.
After arriving home we had lunch and then went to The Old Timers Musuem. It was ok. Had lots of machinary as well as a musuem. We then went into town to gets some groceries, aboriginal fabric, go to quilt shop and look at didgeridoo's. After the concert the other night Les thinks he might become a didg player.

DAY TRIP TO ARLTUNGA

We went to Arltunga for a visit, and to attend two tours run by the Ranger. The road out there was tar for 80kms and then gravel for the last 40km. The first tour was at the tourist information. It was a display of the mine stamp battery working and a talk on gold mining in the area. Apparently people originally came here to look for Rubies but they ended up being Garnets. They then looked for gold which had been previously found in the area. There was gold found here, but not in the amounts they originally thought they would find.
We then went out the where the gold mining was done. We entered a hand dug gold mine, and saw how much they had dug out over a period of around 11 years. There is also an open cut mine at the top of the hill.
We went for a walk through one of the many historic gold mines in the White Range area. Imagine the life, hardships and isolation of the miners around Arltunga and how the miners worked the sites. We also saw old stone surrounds that the miners use to live in when they came up from the mine. Some of them lived with aboroginal women who did the cooking and housekeeping. We also saw a gaol cell, police station and a government works building. The two cemeteries we saw were also good. People often died by 50yrs because of dust disease, from working in the mines. They also died from exposure to mercury and cyanide, that is mixed with gold when it is exposed from the ground. The sunset on the mountain was beautiful. Reds and rusts mixed the green foliage was absolutely beautiful.

SOLAR CENTRE AND BAG WEAVING

We went to the Solar Centre this morning. They had a display on showing different solar systems and how they function and distribute power. The system in Northen Territory is great. You pay for you system around $10,000 and sell you electricity back to the grid. So when you get your electricity bill your can be credited, and also get electricity. Hence profit for the CONSUMER!!!!!!!! However it does take you 7-10yrs to pay off your solar system.
We went home for Les to drop me off while he went into town. I did basket weaving with a girl over the back. She makes the most beautiful baskets, creative arts, jewellery and much more. She has interest from overseas and is a great teacher. She has just done a workshop at Uluru and a display.

RFDS - THE REPTILE CENTRE- PIONEER WOMENS CENTRE

Went to Royal Flying Doctor Service. Watched a DVD and then a tour of the office where they record info and then pass on to a nurse or doctor. They assess the case and only the doctor can decide whether they will attend or not depending on the information he receives. It takes one hour for plane to be ready to fly. They can only land on air strips, not roads as they do in South Australia. However the road has only been closed once in the time road has been designated flight landing zone. We then walked through the museum and saw radios and other equipment they use including a plane set up with patient and nurse attending. We also drove a Polaris or King Air which is the planes that RFDS use. It was only a model but it gave me the idea of how to run off the runway, and take of over a grass verge to depart. WHOOPS!!!!!!!!!!!!
We then went over the road to Reptile Centre. They had blue tongue lizards, skinks, snakes, crocodiles, lizards, frogs, geckos, shingle back. Very interesting place to visit. We listened to a talk on some of the animals and got to hold them. The snake was OK, but I liked the blue tongue best. Great place to see. Really interesting.
We got to the National Pioneer Women's Hall Of Fame and looked around. This place in the another old gaol which was granted to them by the State government with equal share by the Alice Springs. They have set up a display of women who were the first in Australia to participate in the their field of endeavour. e.g Nancy-Bird Walton who was the first Australian women to use, in 1934, a commercial licence and went on to pioneer the Air Ambulance service for the outback. They also had a DVD of the Wearable Arts that is run every year in Alice Springs in August. They had a few models dressed in some of the wearable arts. One was a skirt and top made of birthday cards. They also had a quilt signed by women who are also displayed in the centre. I didn't finish so will go back here before I leave.
We went to the Sound of Starlight Concert concert. I brought a CD. The performance was great. They also did a group jam session where everyone in the audience played some sort of musical instrument. It was really good. The best
$25.00p.h we've spent.

"THE RESIDENCE" "GAOL" AND BOWLS

Les dropped me in town, while he went out to see a guy who wanted to play bowls, who is staying at Top Tourist. I did some shopping and met Les back at the Adelaide House which is the old hospital, but it wasn't open due to a meeting they were having. We then went to "Residence" which was built as a "Goverment Residence" but was never used for this purpose as Northern Territory was never declared a state. It was a beautiful old house with bedrooms in the centre and a verandah surrounding them on the outside. However, it was used when the Queen visited in 1964 for two days. So I did see the chair the queen had sat in, and the bathroom she used. It had pink tiles.
We also went to the first Jail in Alice Springs. The man volunteering that day was a person Les knew when he played touch footy in A.P.R. They had a good chat about people they both knew. The jail had shackles on the floor and not much else. Very dreary place. Les dropped me at van and then went to play bowls.

TOURIST INFO AND SIGHT SEEING

Went into Tourist Info and got info regarding whats on in Alice Springs. There seems to be quite a lot to do, plus we want to got out east MacDonnell ranges to Ruby Gap nature park and Arltunga Historical Reserve. We think we will stay here for at least 2 weeks, possibly longer. We also want to go the the Finke River races, which is motor bikes and 4WD along the Todd River. It is a 2 day race.
We also looked at the shops, and went into The Sound of Starlight. We had a free didgeridoo lesson. It was really good, and we are going to go to the concert at night. They have didgeridoos and the players name is Andrew Langford, who is excellent. Also a drummer, keyboard player and a guy who plays Djambai (african drums). Arrived home and relaxed.

ALICE SPRINGS

Left Finke River at 8.30. Going to Alice Springs. Took photo of Memorial to two officials, one diver and one navigator who died competing and monitoring the inaugral and onlu cannonball run.
Arrived at Alice at 10.00am and set van up. I did washing and helped put the annexe up etc. We went into town to get some groceries and came home to relax and cook tea.

FINKE RIVER

We left van park at 8.30am and stopped at Freebie for morning tea. Also stopped at Erlunda at 12.30 for lunch. (don't stay here it's $28pn and not that great) We arrived just before the army and the emus. Funny sites in this part of the country. The army also took all the diesel fuel. Thank goodness we only needed gas and petrol.
Great to see the bottle, tyres and undies on the trees. We arrived at Finke River about 3pm and stayed the night. Great stay, even had fire wood and very clean toilets. By the time night arrived about 10 to 12 other vans had arrived to stay the night. We lit the fire and sat around chatting. Got lots of info re: east and west McDoanld ranges from people who have done this trip many times. A really great night and a really good place to free camp.

KINGS CANYON RIM WALK

Left Kings Canyon van park to attempt to climb Kings Canyon Rim Walk. The walk is about 4 hours long. A steep climb to the top, which is about 400 metres long. Once you arrive at the top it is up hills and down dells, but not as bad as the first climb. Rock was really different to what we had previously seen. We followed blue arrows to find our way around the top. There was also stairs up and down either side and a bridge across the gorge. Probably not a place to go if your scared of heights, or rock ledges without a guard rail. OOOPS!!! It was a really great walk and one not to be missed. Car park sign said 1km, however I'm sure it was 2km.
Arrived back at van and I retired to my bed with a really good book. Les cooked us a great baked dinner. Went to bed really early. I think I need to buy a pair of walking boots. My Nikes are not standing up to the terrain and I keep going over on my ankle.

KINGS CANYON

Left van park and drove to Kings Canyon. Stopped at Mt Connor for morning tea. Brr very cold, quite overcast day. We have seen trees ordained with bottles, tyres, and even underpants and bras. The things people do out here to exercise their minds.
We arrived at Kings Canyon around 2pm. After we had set the van and had lunch we went to have a stroll round Kings Canyon river walk. When we arrived there was a ranger their doing a tour of the river bed. It was really good and ended at a lookout over the bottom of the gorge.

ULURU

Arrived at Ulura and drove around the rock. We then parked the car and walked from Kuniya in a southerly direction around the rock. It was a lovely walk (partly because it was flat) and the rock was a mixture of aboriginal legends told through the rock formation. A Marla man is on one side, escaping a creature that could change his appearance from animal to a very large dog. He was killed by this creature, and is on the northwest side of Ulura. So the legend goes.
We also did a tour with a guide who describe the women's kitchen, and how they prepared meals. Also the Gorge where they got water and used this in their cooking. Mindful of the fact that water was in difficult supply, so they used it wisely.
We went to the Cultural Centre and looked at the displays, watched a video, and a had a well earned coffee. The guide gave us some info on how the parks has evolved over many years, and its historical value the community. Uluru rock is arkose, a course grained sandstone rich in mineral feldspar. The sandy substance which hardened to form this arkose was eroded from huge mountains composed largely of granite.
Q. Do you know why Uluru and the Olgas change colour at sunset and sunrise?

A.Because when the sun is low in the sky the atmosphere acts as a giant prism, splitting the sun's rays into a colour spectrum. The light reaching Uluru and the Olgas near sunrise and sunset is mainly from the red end of the spectrum and it's reflection from the rock and surrounding clouds gives the spectacular colour.

OLGA'S

We arrived at the Olga's and did the Valley of the Winds Walk first. It is 7.4kms long and is a difficult walk. The beginning is a reasonably steep and down hill which was okay, until you return, and have to do it in reverse. (UPHILL) However once you accomplished that and the decent up sheer rock face (Not quite sheer but it felt like it when I was on my feet and hands at the same time) It was quite flat once you got to the second lookout, after climbing the side of a mountain, the view was spectacular. THANKS GOODNESS! The return wasn't quite so bad except the decent to the bottom from the lookout. Then it got quite flat until the return up the steep hill. Goodness I'm going to ache tonight. However the views were beautiful.
We had lunch when we got back to car park and rested.
We then drove to Walpa Gorge Walk. This was not any where near as treacherous. We walked into a valley between 2 sheer cliffs that almost joined at the end. It was rugged and yet quite beautiful. Took lots of photos. We returned home and I crashed. Les went back to take more photos of sunset. He said it was great because of the cloud cover giving you a spectacular sunset.
Kata Tjuta (Olgas) is a conglomerate The conglomerate is gravel, pebbles, and boulders cemented by sand and mud. Most of the gravel pieces are granite and basalt and give the conglomerate a plum pudding effect. Conglomerate is also a sedimentary rock.

YULARA CAMP GROUND

Left Mt Ebenzer we saw a man that was raising money for Cancer by walking from Perth to Alice Springs. Driving along the road we saw the guy walking with his wheelbarrow. I''m not sure if he's crazy or clever. A bit of of both I suspect. But he's certainly fit.
45Ks past Mt Ebenezer we saw another free camp. It had water, fireplace and a ice camp also.
Petrol at Curtain Springs was expensive. Petrol $1.75 gas $1.10 and Diesel $1.78. However stop and have a look at the bird aviary behind the office. Toilets were OK, showers were pretty awful. I wouldn't use them. No doors, only curtains. There was a free camp, and one for, $24.00 which was also awful and $2.50 for a shower.
Took a photo of Mt Connor. Silly me thought it was Uluru.
Arrived at Yulara and went to see the sunset on Ulura. what can I say:
GORGEOUS, WONDERFUL, EFFERVESCENT, GREAT, !!!!!!!!!!
I think the wine added to it's brilliance. One bottle between two. OOPS!!!!!!!!!!
However we did get some nice pictures to show you when we get home. Thank goodness cause I can't remember it.

MT EBENEZER

Left Marla at 9.30and drove towards Uluru. Hills are on the horizon. Also saw some unusual wind swept looking clouds. Got to Agnes Creek and took photo through the rock, that has a plaque on it. We kept crossing the north - south railway line that the Guan uses, however we haven't seen the Guan to date. We then passed Marryat Creek with a rest area. We had lunch here. As we were leaving we noticed little pee wee bird drinking water from our effluent pipe. They must be thirsty.
We had intended to stay at Eloundra c'van park but it was $28.00 per night so we decided to forge ahead. Petrol $1.55 and Gas $96.9.
We ended up doing a freebie at Mt Ebenezer. It is 50km east of Eloundra on the road to Ulura. Toilets and showers, no power, plenty of firewood so we asked at the office if you could light a fire. They said fine, so we had a great night around the fire with 5 other couples. GOOD NIGHT. Petrol $1.60 and Diesel $1.85 Fire was extra good as it was a cold night, so we warmed up before bed.

MARLA

Left van park and went to P.O and store to purchase food for Uluru. The opal hills are gave way to flat open country, and then trees that were quite abundant, but only about 3 metres high. Stopped at roadside stop for lunch. Lots of flies, so we ate inside. Two van arrived that had just done the Simpson Desert. Chatted to them about where to stay in Alice Springs. They recommended G'day Mate, in centre of town. Also recommended places to eat, and places we could go for a night or two and camp from Alice Spring towards Hermannsburg, which we may do. They were really nice couples and gave us lots of info. We found out he owns house boats at Mannum. So I told him we might contact him next year. I love to do the Simpson or Birdsville. I'm not sure Les would though ???????????????? Saw quite a few abandoned wrecks on the side of the road. Arrived at Marla about 4.30pm. Caught up with Lyn and Tom that we had met at Coober-Pedy and a rest stop at Pimba. They belong to a lapidary club so were quite helpful in explaining to me what to look for if purchasing opals.
Made yummy pizza for tea and lazed away the evening.

OPAL DISPLAY AND OPAL SHOPS

Today is Mothers Day, so all you Mum's who are reading this, I hope you had a great day. Mine was spent away from my Tanya , Sarah and Jaimee and my grandson Cayleb. However they all contacted me and I had a lovely day.
We wanted to go to the cemetery as you learn a lot of history from the people that have left this world before us. Also the Old Miners Cottage which was recommended to us by a lady in and opal store. However we ran out of time, and Les was ready to move on. We did go to Umoona Opal Display which had a great video of opal mining in Cooper-Pedy. After we had watched for 1.5 hours we found out you could purchase it for $20, so we did.
Went back to van tidy up. Les had a rest and then found Imparja on TV so he watched footie. I read and tidied the van to leave tomorrow.

TRIP TO LAKE EYRE VIA OPAL AIRWAYS COOPER PEDY

We did washing and tidying up this morning. Les was feeling a bit lazy so he stayed at the van and did some computing. I went up town to have a look at the underground church in the main street. I also looked at opal shops to get an idea on where they are found and the difference between solid, doublet and triplets. Also what are the better one's to buy or preferably find. I believe solids are best, and either a crystal opal (which you can see through) or a black opal (which has nothing to do with being black) Anyway I still don't have an opal, but at least I know what I'd buy.
At 1.30 we went to the airport and flew out to Lake Eyre. It is pretty difficult to describe. It was a 4 hour flight. Firstly we flew over the desert which was amazing. I never thought I'd see the horizon for 360 deg all at one time. There were river beds and tracks, Williams Creek Station, (owned by one of the Kidmans) Annies Station employing 9 people. We followed the dog track. Also went over a mountain range in the middle of the desert before arriving at Lake Eyre.
Lake Eyre is not totally full, but is stills receiving water at the moment from the Queensland floods. Travels a long way doesn't it. The Lake is obviously millions of square kilometres. Shallow at one end (about 4") but the other end is 15.2 metres. We saw people camping on the Lakes edge. Goodness knows what they have left of their cars when they return home. We then flew over Heron Island where we saw Pelicans breeding. Don't look for them on the Murray River, because there all on Heron Island enjoying themselves. We then to Williams Creek and touched down for a drink at the pub. Les and I were a bit shaken from the turbulence of the plane so we had a soft drink. Stayed for about 1 hour and boarded our flight back to Coober Pedy. It was the something Les wanted to do before we left home and it was worth every dollar. GREAT!!! ALSO SOMETHING THAT MOST LIKELY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN OUR LIFETIME AGAIN.

TOUR OF COOBER PEDY

We decided to do a 5 hour tour of Coober Pedy this afternoon through the Stuart Rang caravan park. We have been told by other people its worth it.
Went up town to have a look around the opal shops, I saw an opal ring. As its my birthstone I thought I might buy it.
Bus trip was good. We went to the dog fence which keeps wild dogs, dingoes. and about 1000 camels out of Coober Pedy. Apparently the male camels do the most damage when their on heat as they usually show their prowess by rubbing up and down on the trees. However as their is no trees, they use the fence to rub up and down on and destroy the fences.
We also did a tour of the opal mine and underground accomodation. Saw the cemetery. Also Opal shops and churches. The have an underground Serbian Orthodox Church with a cross above it. The man next door complained because the church had placed the cross on the land above his property and as he was Greek Orthodox this didn't sit well with him. As they refused to move it he decided to drill towards the Serbian church. This was illegal as he was within the town boundary and the fine was $40,000. When the police came to charge him for drilling he said he wasn't he was looking for water.
We saw the Breakaway along a very corrugated road. ......... Apparently you have to do 80kph so it doesn't rip the botton out of your car. The Breakaway is where the sea receded and the wind and rain created erosion. Mad Max and the Red Planet were made here. We had noticed large areas of the earth was dark in colour, almost black and shiny. We found out that this was created by the radiation from Maralinga Atomic Testing. The side of the road had a glassy look to it. This was left by the ocean when it receded 120 million years ago.

COOBER PEDY

Left Pimba at 8am and headed towards Coober Pedy. The name means "white man in hole" from the Aborigines. We found salt plains that were quite incredible. We stopped to take photos and I was so intrigued I went down to collect a sample of salt. All went well and I got a sample. However I proceeded to get deeper and deeper into the muddy remains of the salt plain. WHOOPS VERY DIRTY JOGGERS NOW. Came past rolling hills and Waitaito station. 200,000 sq miles. WOW. We also passed Eucolo creek, massive water salt burghs on top of water. GREAT PHOTO !!!! Also Lake Hart which was the largest salt plain. It had FREE CAMPING no shower or toilet but very nice. Also past Mt Vivian homestead.
Passed table and chairs with a surround. I think Caz and Baz must have been this way as it had "BAZ" written across the shed.
Massive Eagles along the road. Really great, especially when their eating the roadside kill. I wish they were Falcons so I could let them perch on my hand.
Arrived at Glendambo roadside stop. A pub and a garage/camping ground. Pub was Oregon, built 27 years ago. Wool bales in loft and corrugated iron roof. NICE !!!!! NO FREE CAMPING HERE.
Went on to BON BON. FREE CAMPING AND TOILETS. FLIES WERE BAD WHEN WE WERE THERE. HOWEVER NEED TO CHECK IF YOU COME THROUGH THIS WAY.
Also heard that Cagney Homestead is only a petrol station now, so unless you are coming from Queensland don't bother.
Arrived at Coober Pedy at 4pm and booked into Stuarts RangeCaravan Park. First caravan park on right as you enter Coober Pedy. We found this good because site are a little larger than the others appear to be. No water to van, and 20c for 3 mins shower. However it has a water pump that gives you 30ltrs for 20c in the park. Also water available at the other end of town but is 20c for 15 litres. Have spoken to Opal Air and he is trying to get us on a flight to Lake Eyre

ROADSTOP AT PIMBA

Left Port Augusta this morning and travelled to road stop at Pimba. The road is a little like the Nullabor. A few more trees and salt plains. Places to pull in and take photos of the landscape. Quite different to the scenery we've had over the last few weeks. No ocean, mountains, hills or peaks.
We went into Woomera, about 7kms down the road. Toured one of the museums there the other one was closed for the day. It showed the rocket launching that went on here in the 60's and 70's. It also had a video of an aerospace plane flying for 15 minutes. A sign of the future.
We found out that the tours of Olympic Dam at Roxby Downs are booked out until 14th May. We decided that to travel more than 200kms and not see Olympic Dam wasn't a good idea. We were also going to have a look at Andamooka. So we have decided to head towards Coober Peedy tomorrow. What a shame.
Les has decided to probably not do a plane tour of Lake Eyre. It's about $500 from Coober Peedy and $210 from William Creek which is a better price. However its over 300kms round trip on a dirt road.

PORT AUGUSTA

Spent the morning hanging out at the van. Did those boring home duties and then went to Woolies to get groceries for our trip north, A guy came over and asked about our wireless internet. We told him we don't have trouble with it. Lazed around after we arrived back at the van. Put the slow cooker on to make tea for tomorrow and watched TV.

PORT AUGUSTA

Left Clare , travelling to Port Augusta. Huge Wind Farm along the top of the hill. Arrived at Port Germain. It had the longest wharf in Australia. Lighthouse on the shoreline end of the wharf. Les said it was to show sailors which way home is?????? I don't think so!!!!!!!!! Had morning tea at the wharf and walked around town. Cute little place, but didn't appear to be a lot to do. However the caravan park was quite full. Maybe the fishing is good. Arrived at Port Augusta by lunch and went to get our hair rejuvenated.

CLARE VALLEY WINE AND FOOD FEST

Went to food and wine fest today. What a great day. Called into Jim Barry Wines and a Brewery but not much was happening so we went on to Annie's Lane Winery. Annie's Lane was named after Annie Wayman whose horse drawn carriage struck difficulty in negotiating the muddy track back to her cottage after delivering lunch to the workers. The track has affectionately been known as Annie's Lane since then. The winemaker is Alex Mackenzie. They had Robbie Williams performing with a great back up band. The singer name is Katrina [great} who is actually his partner and pregnant. Show was FREE!!!!!! except we had to buy lunch and wine. "that doesn't count does it" Apparently he performs every year at this venue. Wonderful show. GREAT!!!!! Glad we stayed.

CLARE

First stop was Tailem Bend. They have a ferry across the Murray to Jervios. Tailem Bend is where the Murray meets the sea. We stopped and watch the ferry going across the river. There were quite a few cars waiting for it's return. It only takes 6 cars at a time.
We then went on to Murray Bridge. We pulled over to have a cuppa by the bridge. After that we walked across the bridge. It was opened on 1879 and is the first bridge to cross the Murray. We saw the 1956 flood level. I was only 2yrs. We saw the longest train on the rail tracks. Didn't count the carriages, but there were heaps. We then walked to other end of the bridge and the Murray River Princess was being re-boarded. It sailed from Murray Bridge back to Mannum. Great stop.
We then went on to Clare. No accomodation in town but a lady told us about the race track. It was a great place to stay, didn't cost us a anything and we had power, water and a toilet, all to ourselves. Les told me not to tell any one. keep it our little secret. But I just did. So if ever you come through Clare, make sure you visit the race track. We think we'll stay tomorrow and go to the food and wine festival that's on.

LAKE ALBERT

Left Mt Gambier and drove through massive pine forests. Miles and miles of them, and also saw the Kimberley Clark Woodchip Mill. I thought they made toilet paper. Maybe from the woodchip???????. Apparently we produce 120,00 tonnes of woodchip each year, 100,00 goes overseas to Japan as woodchip to make paper and cardboard etc.
On the horizon we could see 100's of wood turbine at Millicent. Even did a tour, to show you how they worked to produce electricity. We didn't do the tour but on the info we read they must have provided power to a lot of homes and businesses.
We arrived at Beachport and had morning tea and a look along the shoreline. The pub had the most georgous hand painted tables in the restaurant. Apparently done by a local woman who also sells to the public.
The jetty was not open to the public as they are renewing all the metal pylon and replacing the timber deck. It is 778 metres long and was originally about twice this length. What a job they have to complete. Had morning tea here.
Called into a quilt shop called the "Secret Garden" guess what I brought a jelly roll. Couldn't help myself.
We went on to Kingston and brought fish and chips for lunch and had them on the foreshore. They had a wharf very similar to Beach Port that was open to the public so we went for a walk. Beautiful foreshore.
We arrived at Meningie and stayed overnight at Lake Albert Caravan Park. Raining and cold.