Today is Tuesday 27th July 2010 and what an exciting day!!!! I am being sarcastic. We had the van serviced (practicalities had to come into it sooner or later, but...damn it, didn’t I leave Melb to escape practicalities???).
For those of you who read the last blog, and who are salivating to hear how the camel ride in Kings Creek Station was... well... I do not have much to say. I was given the last seat on the last camel and I saw virtually nothing. I think that $85 could have been better spent. However, I DID do the rim walk at Kings Canyon and it was OOOOMMMGGG!!!!! It was hairy and scary walking up, and I cursed, swore and uttered blasphemy for much of the initial walk (‘walk’ is too gentle a word, ummm, a better word is ‘mountain climbed’ –ok ok, I am being dramatic, but for those who have done it, come on! It is pretty steep in that first section!!) Anyhoo, having made it up that first section, it was amazing to be at the top of the Canyon (is kind of like a mini Grand Canyon), and they even had a place called the ‘Garden of Eden’ up there, and it was aptly named – it was stunning.
We left Kings Creek and drove to Alice, not too bad a drive. We passed a tree covered with clothes (weird), we passed ½ a car being towed by two camels (weird again) and we got breathalysed by the police when there was 100 km’s of nothing either side of the highway (see how weird that drive was!). Kristy also hit a flock of wild budgies – cruel Kristy cruel!!!! Killer of Little of Birds!!
What can I say of Alice Springs??? I kinda like it, and I kinda don’t (not very committed am I?). I like the weather, although I was chatting to a guy the other day who said it is the coldest/wettest winter they have ever had, and that they have never seen Alice so green. This surprised me, as Kristy and I are walking around in shorts and singlets, thinking “Isn’t it lovely to be somewhere warm!” It will be 27 degrees on Friday, which K and I can’t wait for! Since her sunburn, I am ensuring that Kristy is covered with sunscreen, although I cannot manage the other things that happen to her, for e.g. today a flying ant (yes, it was a flying ant, I saw the body at the end of the debacle), landed on her head, got tangled in her hair and bit her on the head a few times. Imagine all this happening when the pizza we ordered had just been put in front of us and she is shaking and scraping her head, in town, over the pizza, yelling at me to “get it out!”.
I think Alice Springs will grow on me. Kristy is trying to find work here. She would rather work at Yulara (near the Rock), but she needs to get her H Endorsed licence, in order to drive a tourist bus. I also went to the recruiter, however I don’t think that they understand what I do, as they told me that they will look for ‘administration’ work for me. I think I need to find my own work, or maybe come back to Melb for a couple of months to top up my money. I know I can find contract work there.
Since we have been in Alice Springs, we have visited Emily Gap and Jessie Gap (lovely), and also Trephina Gorge. Trephina Gorge was totally beautiful. For those of you that have known me a long time – Trephina Gorge has the same energy as Commonground (one of my most fav places on Earth). Trephina Gorge just soaked into my heart and every step of the 2 hour walk was bliss (yes – even the steep bits!!!!) Oh that reminds me --- I must start using my pedometer --- whenever I think of a pedometer I think of you Robyn T!! Are you still using yours?? How many steps are you doing a day?
Last night we had dinner with Trent and Genevieve. They are now on their way to Darwin. We will miss them! We played cards with them on their last night in Alice – Go Fish, Memory and Old Maid (oh yes...we are quite the intellectuals!) We laughed so hard I was crying (although those tears could have been because of Trent’s burps – OMG they were foul!!!). Gen and Trent call me “Ms Linda” and they call Kristy, “Kristy Boner” (after that movie). We call them Gen and Trent... Although Gen has told us to call Trent ‘QueenTrent’. Trent referred to Gen as “A Cup” through the night, but I don’t think we will call Gen that. Hey guys... good luck on your trip to Darwin, and call when you get there !
We had a Vietnamese meal the other night (with Gen and Trent) and it was some of the best Vietnamese food I have ever had. Kristy had the chicken curry and she is still talking about it – and for Kristy to like something with the word ‘curry’ in it, well, that is amazing.
Today Kristy had to go to the Ladies Room while we were shopping. It cost her 50 cents to use the amenities. She returned and said she got her monies worth. I shudder to think what that means.
Alcohol is different up here. There are all sorts of restrictions, for e.g. any alcohol you buy requires ID. And... cask wine is not available to be purchased until after 6pm. Sigh. I had the choice to either cut down consumption, or buy bottles. Guess which one I chose?!
My friend Helen L is now here in Alice! Helen, who I used to work with at DHS! I love a small world – how is this - I was bringing up 2 boxes of lamps for a guy named Morris (friend of a Micks parents in Yack) and Morris is co-running the singing workshop that Helen is attending at Ross River! How strange that whole 6 degrees of separation is! Anyhoo, we are catching up with Helen for dinner while she is here – how great is that!!??
We are slightly screwed re future accommodation – apparently Alice Springs is holding the Masters Games in August (or Sept or sometime close) and everything is booked out! We have negotiated something vague with the caravan park that we are in, but I am slightly nervous. In Alice, they don’t seem to write anything down, they just give half nods, and phrases like “I’m sure we can work something out”. Well, we still have to move in a few days from the site we are on, so really... so much for the “working things out”.
Hey hey, and Mel and Elle are coming to visit on the 20th Aug for 6 days – YYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! K and I are so excited. Mel is excited. Elle will be excited when she gets here.
By Day 48 of the Fitness Challenge, the pushups are getting slightly tricky, but still we persevere. K tells me that my arms are looking stronger. I want to believe her, so I will. Kristy is definitely looking fitter and she is very brown. She likes to be browner than me.
I keep beating K at cards, and she soooo cracked it the other day, she threw herself out of the tent, into the van and sooked on the bed in there for ages. Sorry Kristy, the cards are just loving me at the moment.
I hope everyone is happy and having fun. We come back to Melbourne on Tues 3rd Aug, and are there until Friday 13th Aug. If you want to catch up, please email me. I will be back again in October. I think of my family and friends often – more often that you would know. I am having a wonderful time, but I miss my buddies. Please don’t hesitate to text or call.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Kings Creek Station, Outback N.T>
Day 40 of the trip. We are in Kings Creek Station, near Kings Canyon. We arrived here yesterday. I have a bruise on my left foot because as I was hammering a tent peg into the ground, a big ant climbed on my foot and I went to knock it off, forgetting that the hammer was still in my hand. Ummm, OUCH!!!
It is lovely here, so peaceful, so Aussie bush-like. Unfortunately for Kristy, there is a resident huntsman in the shower block (she has to deal with it being there if she wants to shower!). We saw a scorpion-type thing on the ground last night. Lots of creepy crawlies here!
The Kings Creek Station, where we are staying, is actually quite famous, and an episode of Australia Story (ABC I think) was done on Ian and Lyn Conway, the owners of the station. All their profits from the cattle and camel station, as well as the camp ground, souvenirs, food, etc, goes towards educating young / teenage aboriginal children. We went to a presentation by Ian Conway last night – he is so inspirational! Both of his grandmothers were full aboriginal, and he is so knowledgeable, and it is so moving – what he is doing for the kids.
We drove to Kings Canyon this morning, and did the base walk around it. They say it is like a mini Grand Canyon. We are going back tomorrow to do the rim walk. I think I might wet my pants in fear, but I am going to do it anyway. It looks pretty high! Hmmm, I guess I can always chicken out at the last minute. Must remember to take a book to read in case Kristy does the walk on her own.
Tonight we are going on a sunset camel ride – I think it is my first time on a camel, unless I was really drunk another time and don’t remember. However, this does not seem like a possibility, as I don’t think I have been near a camel and wine at the same time. Kristy tells me that I will have sore legs after the ride. I will let you know.
Oh... and we have made ‘travelling friends’! Who knew! Trent and Genevieve, who we saw in Woomera, and then in Coober Pedy, and then they camped next to us at Yulara. So we have now sat and broken bread together, and had a wine (or 20) together and heard each other’s life stories – fun! In fact, they are again next to us camping at Kings Creek Station, but that’s because we all arranged it this time. Last night I made my famous chicken pie for us all (homemade pastry and all!) and tonight Gen is making Carbonara for us. It is so nice to be getting to know them. We will probably also be seeing them in Alice Springs, but we are not sure when we are getting there because... we might... take part in ... a CAMEL MUSTER!!!!!!! Here at Kings Creek Station they are asking if anyone is interested because they need all the bodies that they can get. I think it might be exciting!
I did 40 pushups and 40 crunches (each side, so really is 80!) today. Woooo hoooo! My arms are looking stronger, as they should by now.
I gotta go. There is no mobile reception here, and there is only one computer to use for internet. Kristy and I are getting on that after the camel ride, or maybe tomorrow, and then I can post this blog, and the last one. Finally!!!!!
I am loving all this bush and rural-ness, but am also looking forward to seeing shops again, when we get to Alice.
It is lovely here, so peaceful, so Aussie bush-like. Unfortunately for Kristy, there is a resident huntsman in the shower block (she has to deal with it being there if she wants to shower!). We saw a scorpion-type thing on the ground last night. Lots of creepy crawlies here!
The Kings Creek Station, where we are staying, is actually quite famous, and an episode of Australia Story (ABC I think) was done on Ian and Lyn Conway, the owners of the station. All their profits from the cattle and camel station, as well as the camp ground, souvenirs, food, etc, goes towards educating young / teenage aboriginal children. We went to a presentation by Ian Conway last night – he is so inspirational! Both of his grandmothers were full aboriginal, and he is so knowledgeable, and it is so moving – what he is doing for the kids.
We drove to Kings Canyon this morning, and did the base walk around it. They say it is like a mini Grand Canyon. We are going back tomorrow to do the rim walk. I think I might wet my pants in fear, but I am going to do it anyway. It looks pretty high! Hmmm, I guess I can always chicken out at the last minute. Must remember to take a book to read in case Kristy does the walk on her own.
Tonight we are going on a sunset camel ride – I think it is my first time on a camel, unless I was really drunk another time and don’t remember. However, this does not seem like a possibility, as I don’t think I have been near a camel and wine at the same time. Kristy tells me that I will have sore legs after the ride. I will let you know.
Oh... and we have made ‘travelling friends’! Who knew! Trent and Genevieve, who we saw in Woomera, and then in Coober Pedy, and then they camped next to us at Yulara. So we have now sat and broken bread together, and had a wine (or 20) together and heard each other’s life stories – fun! In fact, they are again next to us camping at Kings Creek Station, but that’s because we all arranged it this time. Last night I made my famous chicken pie for us all (homemade pastry and all!) and tonight Gen is making Carbonara for us. It is so nice to be getting to know them. We will probably also be seeing them in Alice Springs, but we are not sure when we are getting there because... we might... take part in ... a CAMEL MUSTER!!!!!!! Here at Kings Creek Station they are asking if anyone is interested because they need all the bodies that they can get. I think it might be exciting!
I did 40 pushups and 40 crunches (each side, so really is 80!) today. Woooo hoooo! My arms are looking stronger, as they should by now.
I gotta go. There is no mobile reception here, and there is only one computer to use for internet. Kristy and I are getting on that after the camel ride, or maybe tomorrow, and then I can post this blog, and the last one. Finally!!!!!
I am loving all this bush and rural-ness, but am also looking forward to seeing shops again, when we get to Alice.
Uluru Yahoo!!
Today is Friday 16th July and we have been here at Yulara since Tuesday. Kristy climbed Ulura on Wednesday. It took her over 2 & ½ hours. There is a big sign that states that the aboriginal people would rather that you didn’t climb the rock (it is sacred), but there was so many people doing it and Kristy knew it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Personally, I was pretty shocked that anyone climbed Uluru, it is bloody hairy! I cannot understand how I didn’t see someone fall off. It is so unsafe – OHS would have a field day. Kristy has suffered severe sunburn as a result of climbing the rock. She was so eager to get started that she did not stop to put on sunscreen (or to take some water or food). I threw a hat on her head at the last minute, which she wanted to take off because she said it gave her a headache, but I made her wear it, and now she is very grateful. Her face wasn’t burnt, just her neck, shoulders and arms. My little lobster,( top half anyway). Lucky for Kristy that someone at the top of the Rock gave her some water and a biscuit.
I walked around about half of the base of the Rock, and I saw a bit of rock art - which is one of my favourite things. I just love knowing that people have been standing on the very spot I have stood, and they stood there thousands and thousands of years ago. Just feels unreal to me. They ate, chatted, laughed, loved, cried, etc. For thousands of years! That has quite a ‘wow’ factor for me.
I still feel strange that I can see Ayers Rock from the camping park. Never imagined that it would be in the background on a regular basis.
Yesterday we went to the Olga’s (Kata Tjuta). The Olga’s is like a lot of Ayres Rocks all together. Sarah said she thought the Olga’s were better than Ayres Rock, and I tend to agree. Kristy and I did the 7 & ½ km walk through the Valley of the Winds. It was stunningly beautiful, and I would definitely do it again if I come up this way. It took us just over 2 & ½ hours to do the walk, it was quite steep in many places, and one place was a sheer rock face! I still think Kristy led me the wrong way... but that’s okay, I crawled up the vertical slope like a crab, and I made it.
At one stage of the Olga’s, I sat and tried to meditate, however Kristy chose that moment to eat a rice cake, and so all I heard next to me was crunch crunch crunch. Needless to say I was distracted. I stopped meditating and just looked at the view. I figured that was what I was supposed to do.
ON the way to the Olga’s we stopped for 10 mins due to road work, and the guy that holds the sign (you know the one... ‘Stop’/’Slow’) stood and chatted to us and to cut a long story short, he gave Kristy the phone number of his boss and said that Kristy could get work easily in Darwin. He said the money was good, but ‘good’ is quite relative isn’t it. Anyhoo, at least it is the hope of some work.
Today we had a ‘easy’ day at home, home being the tent and van of course. We did washing, bit of shopping, wrote out some postcards (btw... is ANYONE actually getting these postcards???) Oh, and excitement x 10 --- there is a ‘happy hour’ at a local cafe, which sells everything for half price between 3pm and 4pm. We got a great slice of blueberry cheesecake today for $2.50! Ah, it’s the little things that give the greatest joy.
Tomorrow is our last night here, and then we head off to Kings Canyon, where we will do the famous walk there, and I will ride a camel (saw some camels today, f#$@ they are big buggers!)
Still going strong with the Fitness Challenge. We are up to Day 37. It has been well over a month now – go us!!
I walked around about half of the base of the Rock, and I saw a bit of rock art - which is one of my favourite things. I just love knowing that people have been standing on the very spot I have stood, and they stood there thousands and thousands of years ago. Just feels unreal to me. They ate, chatted, laughed, loved, cried, etc. For thousands of years! That has quite a ‘wow’ factor for me.
I still feel strange that I can see Ayers Rock from the camping park. Never imagined that it would be in the background on a regular basis.
Yesterday we went to the Olga’s (Kata Tjuta). The Olga’s is like a lot of Ayres Rocks all together. Sarah said she thought the Olga’s were better than Ayres Rock, and I tend to agree. Kristy and I did the 7 & ½ km walk through the Valley of the Winds. It was stunningly beautiful, and I would definitely do it again if I come up this way. It took us just over 2 & ½ hours to do the walk, it was quite steep in many places, and one place was a sheer rock face! I still think Kristy led me the wrong way... but that’s okay, I crawled up the vertical slope like a crab, and I made it.
At one stage of the Olga’s, I sat and tried to meditate, however Kristy chose that moment to eat a rice cake, and so all I heard next to me was crunch crunch crunch. Needless to say I was distracted. I stopped meditating and just looked at the view. I figured that was what I was supposed to do.
ON the way to the Olga’s we stopped for 10 mins due to road work, and the guy that holds the sign (you know the one... ‘Stop’/’Slow’) stood and chatted to us and to cut a long story short, he gave Kristy the phone number of his boss and said that Kristy could get work easily in Darwin. He said the money was good, but ‘good’ is quite relative isn’t it. Anyhoo, at least it is the hope of some work.
Today we had a ‘easy’ day at home, home being the tent and van of course. We did washing, bit of shopping, wrote out some postcards (btw... is ANYONE actually getting these postcards???) Oh, and excitement x 10 --- there is a ‘happy hour’ at a local cafe, which sells everything for half price between 3pm and 4pm. We got a great slice of blueberry cheesecake today for $2.50! Ah, it’s the little things that give the greatest joy.
Tomorrow is our last night here, and then we head off to Kings Canyon, where we will do the famous walk there, and I will ride a camel (saw some camels today, f#$@ they are big buggers!)
Still going strong with the Fitness Challenge. We are up to Day 37. It has been well over a month now – go us!!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
We are at the rock!!!!
"Fat people are harder to kidnap... so start eating" - Graffiti, toilet wall, Marla Roadhouse, Outback South Australia.
We have left Coober Pedy and have arrived in Yulara. Last night we stayed at Erldundah. There were signs on the windows of the petrol station stating "We are situated in the driest part of Australia". That night, it rained so hard that the caravan park that we were staying in flooded.
Our windscreen has a hole in it the size of a 20 cent piece - looks like a bullet hit the van. It was flicked up by a road train that was over 50 metres long. Probably lucky that the windscreen didn't shatter.
When we were driving down the Lassetter Hwy, and we first saw Ayers Rock, both Kristy and I were in awe!! It is amazing, astounding, just-like-the-pictures, so ancient, so spiritual, etc. We went on and on like this for about half an hour, until we realized that we were looking at Mount Robert, and not Ayers Rock at all! Then... Ayers Rock came into view and OMG! It was even better than Mount Robert (go figure!).
We are loving the hot weather, both of us are wearing shorts and tank tops. Have heard it is cold in melbourne. I will send some sunshine down south for all my Melb family and friends.
Kristy has now killed wildlife. She hit a flock of birds.
We are LOVING the Northern Territory. it is my first time here! Cant believe that I can see the Rock from the caravan park!
Tomorrow we get close up and personal with the Rock. Will let you know all the details.
We have left Coober Pedy and have arrived in Yulara. Last night we stayed at Erldundah. There were signs on the windows of the petrol station stating "We are situated in the driest part of Australia". That night, it rained so hard that the caravan park that we were staying in flooded.
Our windscreen has a hole in it the size of a 20 cent piece - looks like a bullet hit the van. It was flicked up by a road train that was over 50 metres long. Probably lucky that the windscreen didn't shatter.
When we were driving down the Lassetter Hwy, and we first saw Ayers Rock, both Kristy and I were in awe!! It is amazing, astounding, just-like-the-pictures, so ancient, so spiritual, etc. We went on and on like this for about half an hour, until we realized that we were looking at Mount Robert, and not Ayers Rock at all! Then... Ayers Rock came into view and OMG! It was even better than Mount Robert (go figure!).
We are loving the hot weather, both of us are wearing shorts and tank tops. Have heard it is cold in melbourne. I will send some sunshine down south for all my Melb family and friends.
Kristy has now killed wildlife. She hit a flock of birds.
We are LOVING the Northern Territory. it is my first time here! Cant believe that I can see the Rock from the caravan park!
Tomorrow we get close up and personal with the Rock. Will let you know all the details.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Hi peeps
Hi guys,
having a so much fun in coober pedy, its not as bad as people say.
Seen lots of amazing things today, my favorite being the underground pub, how cool. Also did some noodling, for those of you who dont know what noodling is, its fossicking, looking for opals, searching for something in thousands of tiny rocks. Did find a couple of small opals and plenty of lookalikes. Havent striked it rich yet either, didnt hit the jackpot haha.
Heading off tomorrow little bit closer to seeing the big red rock that makes australia ( ayers rock ). That will be an amazing experience and im looking forward to it.
Have fun and stay safe.
having a so much fun in coober pedy, its not as bad as people say.
Seen lots of amazing things today, my favorite being the underground pub, how cool. Also did some noodling, for those of you who dont know what noodling is, its fossicking, looking for opals, searching for something in thousands of tiny rocks. Did find a couple of small opals and plenty of lookalikes. Havent striked it rich yet either, didnt hit the jackpot haha.
Heading off tomorrow little bit closer to seeing the big red rock that makes australia ( ayers rock ). That will be an amazing experience and im looking forward to it.
Have fun and stay safe.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Now in Coober Pedy
Yesterday we waved goodbye to Mel and Elle and left Adelaide to head up the middle of Australia. We stayed in Woomera last night, made famous (or infamous) for rocket launches in the 50’s & 60’s, and deaths in custody at the Woomera Detention Centre about 10 or so years ago. We only stayed in Woomera one night, so we didn’t go to the trouble of setting up the tent. We did, however, set up the awning that is attached to the van, and put out the chairs, table, food, games, etc, under it. Within an hour, though, we were packing everything back into the van, as we heard that there was a storm abrewing (didn’t want to be up at 3am pulling down the annexe in the wind and rain. This was an interesting exercise, as much of our stuff is stored ON TOP of the bed in the van, and when we are sleeping in the bed, that stuff is in the tent or annexe. So... we loaded up the front seats with the food crates, crockery and cutlery, suitcases, toiletries bags, laundry bag and clothes for the next day, and we bunkered down for the night.
Earlier in the evening, we chatted with a couple from Taiwan. They were lovely and travelling Australia on a budget even tighter than ours! These two were travelling in a station wagon and sleeping in it too. I don’t know how they did it. Where did they store all their stuff???
By the time the storm hit, Kristy and I had been asleep for a while. I did wake up to the van being buffeted from side to side with big winds and heavy rain, but we are so snug in the van that it was an enjoyable experience. Kristy didn’t stir, she snored her way through the whole storm.
We drove more hours today, left Woomera and headed to Cooper Pedy. Kilometres and kilometres of nothing for as far as the eye could see in every direction. We passed a few sheep and some eagles, but saw no other critters (no live ones anyway). I can’t believe how big Australia is! I mean I know it is big, but it is one thing to ‘know’ it, and another thing to ‘experience’ it. We listened to audio books as we travelled. It was fun!
We are now in Coober Pedy. The name ‘Coober Pedy’ comes from ‘kupa piti’, which is aboriginal language meaning ‘white man’s hole in the ground’. It is a strange place, with many of the houses and shops underground (including the pub and church). Ever since opal was discovered here, people have dug holes to extract the opals as well as digging underground homes to escape the heavy summer heat. We are here in Winter, so the heat is not so bad. Even so, we are wearing singlets and thongs. I have heard Melbourne is very cold – not so us! May even have a tan by the time we come back!!!!
It is a funny little community, this caravanning/travelling community. Everyone is very friendly, and we are starting to see some familiar faces at each caravan park, and passing familiar caravans and cars on the roads (Kristy cannot bear to be travelling behind someone, she must always pass them – it drives her crazy when I drive, as I am very contented to not overtake).
The tent has been set up this afternoon, as we are in Coober Pedy for 2 nights. Tomorrow we must arise very early as I have booked us into a tour that begins at 8.30am. The landscape of Coober Pedy is quite baron, with hills and mines surrounding it and lots of red dust. It is not busy like Port Augusta (now I found it scarey there!) but there are a number of tourists.
Both Kristy and I broke our diets tonight and had pizza for dinner. Kristy had her usual BBQ chicken pizza, but I went for something different – I had Emu pizza. Actually, it was quite nice – better than plain, old, everyday, ordinary, get-it-anywhere, chicken pizza. We usually eat very well, with protein shakes each morning, freshly squeezed OJ, wheat free wraps for lunch and vegies and chicken (or turkey) or fish for dinner each night.
Fitness challenge is still going strong, my back is now up for it, though I have modified some of it. I no longer do situps, and instead I do crossover crunches. Day 30 today. We did our exercises this morning in the camp kitchen in Woomera caravan park, between the family of 6 eating their breakfast and a group of Irish young men and their dog. We fit in those pushups wherever we can.
An hour ago we went to the baby kangaroo feeding, for orphaned joeys. Kristy got to hold one of the Joeys, she was very excited and I took photos, and now she is sending those photos to everyone she knows. I didn’t want to hold the Joey, kangaroos have not had good luck with me! Oh, and on that note, I hit a crow the other day. Why does it always happen when I am driving?????? I promise you, I am not aiming for the wildlife!
On Monday we head to the Rock, yes Uluru! Very exciting!
Hope everyone is happy and well.
Earlier in the evening, we chatted with a couple from Taiwan. They were lovely and travelling Australia on a budget even tighter than ours! These two were travelling in a station wagon and sleeping in it too. I don’t know how they did it. Where did they store all their stuff???
By the time the storm hit, Kristy and I had been asleep for a while. I did wake up to the van being buffeted from side to side with big winds and heavy rain, but we are so snug in the van that it was an enjoyable experience. Kristy didn’t stir, she snored her way through the whole storm.
We drove more hours today, left Woomera and headed to Cooper Pedy. Kilometres and kilometres of nothing for as far as the eye could see in every direction. We passed a few sheep and some eagles, but saw no other critters (no live ones anyway). I can’t believe how big Australia is! I mean I know it is big, but it is one thing to ‘know’ it, and another thing to ‘experience’ it. We listened to audio books as we travelled. It was fun!
We are now in Coober Pedy. The name ‘Coober Pedy’ comes from ‘kupa piti’, which is aboriginal language meaning ‘white man’s hole in the ground’. It is a strange place, with many of the houses and shops underground (including the pub and church). Ever since opal was discovered here, people have dug holes to extract the opals as well as digging underground homes to escape the heavy summer heat. We are here in Winter, so the heat is not so bad. Even so, we are wearing singlets and thongs. I have heard Melbourne is very cold – not so us! May even have a tan by the time we come back!!!!
It is a funny little community, this caravanning/travelling community. Everyone is very friendly, and we are starting to see some familiar faces at each caravan park, and passing familiar caravans and cars on the roads (Kristy cannot bear to be travelling behind someone, she must always pass them – it drives her crazy when I drive, as I am very contented to not overtake).
The tent has been set up this afternoon, as we are in Coober Pedy for 2 nights. Tomorrow we must arise very early as I have booked us into a tour that begins at 8.30am. The landscape of Coober Pedy is quite baron, with hills and mines surrounding it and lots of red dust. It is not busy like Port Augusta (now I found it scarey there!) but there are a number of tourists.
Both Kristy and I broke our diets tonight and had pizza for dinner. Kristy had her usual BBQ chicken pizza, but I went for something different – I had Emu pizza. Actually, it was quite nice – better than plain, old, everyday, ordinary, get-it-anywhere, chicken pizza. We usually eat very well, with protein shakes each morning, freshly squeezed OJ, wheat free wraps for lunch and vegies and chicken (or turkey) or fish for dinner each night.
Fitness challenge is still going strong, my back is now up for it, though I have modified some of it. I no longer do situps, and instead I do crossover crunches. Day 30 today. We did our exercises this morning in the camp kitchen in Woomera caravan park, between the family of 6 eating their breakfast and a group of Irish young men and their dog. We fit in those pushups wherever we can.
An hour ago we went to the baby kangaroo feeding, for orphaned joeys. Kristy got to hold one of the Joeys, she was very excited and I took photos, and now she is sending those photos to everyone she knows. I didn’t want to hold the Joey, kangaroos have not had good luck with me! Oh, and on that note, I hit a crow the other day. Why does it always happen when I am driving?????? I promise you, I am not aiming for the wildlife!
On Monday we head to the Rock, yes Uluru! Very exciting!
Hope everyone is happy and well.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
By Mel - daughter of Linda
Hi blog followers! Or peeps as Baeffy likes to say,
I'm Mel - Linda's daughter and I am writing on the blog! Currently Mum and Baeffy are staying in Adelaide with me, Mick and Elle who just turned one!
They arrived on Monday and I got here from Melbourne last night - was funny them staying in Adelaide without me! At the moment, Baeffy is looking after Elle and Mum is in the shower. They are in Adelaide until Friday and then they head off to Alice Springs! Very exciting! Then they will be coming back to Adelaide after that for a while which will be fun. Elle loves hanging out with her Grandma and step-grandma Baeffy! She thinks that they are hilarious and they often have her in hysterics. It is very funny :)
This morning they did their fitness challenge sit ups and push ups. Baeffy is doing very well and is getting very big arm muscles already. Today they had to do 27 each - Baeffy is doing much better than Mum. Mum has to keep stopping but she has a bad back. Mum just walked past and said "Please don't write anything bad about me" - I wonder if the above comment about her not doing very well in the fitness challenge counts?? She can be scary sometimes so I better be careful. Just tricking - she is a lovely mother and is not scary at all.
Elle is currently running around nudy-rudy and she just weed all over the floor and then slipped all over the floor in it. How embarrassing for Elle!
Today we are going to go to the shops and then Mum and Baeffy are going to look after Elle while I go to Personal Training. I am scared of training today because over the last week I have eaten lots of bad foods!
I have to go because Elle just had a shower and Mum needs clothes and nappies and things.
I think I will make my own blog now. This is fun!
Mel
I'm Mel - Linda's daughter and I am writing on the blog! Currently Mum and Baeffy are staying in Adelaide with me, Mick and Elle who just turned one!
They arrived on Monday and I got here from Melbourne last night - was funny them staying in Adelaide without me! At the moment, Baeffy is looking after Elle and Mum is in the shower. They are in Adelaide until Friday and then they head off to Alice Springs! Very exciting! Then they will be coming back to Adelaide after that for a while which will be fun. Elle loves hanging out with her Grandma and step-grandma Baeffy! She thinks that they are hilarious and they often have her in hysterics. It is very funny :)
This morning they did their fitness challenge sit ups and push ups. Baeffy is doing very well and is getting very big arm muscles already. Today they had to do 27 each - Baeffy is doing much better than Mum. Mum has to keep stopping but she has a bad back. Mum just walked past and said "Please don't write anything bad about me" - I wonder if the above comment about her not doing very well in the fitness challenge counts?? She can be scary sometimes so I better be careful. Just tricking - she is a lovely mother and is not scary at all.
Elle is currently running around nudy-rudy and she just weed all over the floor and then slipped all over the floor in it. How embarrassing for Elle!
Today we are going to go to the shops and then Mum and Baeffy are going to look after Elle while I go to Personal Training. I am scared of training today because over the last week I have eaten lots of bad foods!
I have to go because Elle just had a shower and Mum needs clothes and nappies and things.
I think I will make my own blog now. This is fun!
Mel
Hi peeps
Baeffy here.
Having a very relaxing time in adelaide, its 10.33am and still in my pj's. I know i know hard life and all. I have completed my 27 push-ups and 27 sit-ups. Push-ups are getting a bit easier and sit-ups well we all know they hurt.
Got alot to do today once we get motivated, have to prepare the van for the big trip on friday. Have to off load some extra things we dont need to make it a bit easier for us. Also might do a spot of shopping, need to recolor my blonde for dave and sarahs wedding august 7th. My little cousins getting married. Well not so little anymore. Hope there reading this blog.
Not much else to report as we are being fairly laid back lol.
Hi mum and dad thanks for reading the blog and I know you have been having trouble adding a comment. I do believe you have to join google with your email address, dont have to give them that much personal information, see how that goes then you can add on as a follower.
Love to you all
Having a very relaxing time in adelaide, its 10.33am and still in my pj's. I know i know hard life and all. I have completed my 27 push-ups and 27 sit-ups. Push-ups are getting a bit easier and sit-ups well we all know they hurt.
Got alot to do today once we get motivated, have to prepare the van for the big trip on friday. Have to off load some extra things we dont need to make it a bit easier for us. Also might do a spot of shopping, need to recolor my blonde for dave and sarahs wedding august 7th. My little cousins getting married. Well not so little anymore. Hope there reading this blog.
Not much else to report as we are being fairly laid back lol.
Hi mum and dad thanks for reading the blog and I know you have been having trouble adding a comment. I do believe you have to join google with your email address, dont have to give them that much personal information, see how that goes then you can add on as a follower.
Love to you all
Monday, July 5, 2010
Thank you dear followers!
We have NINE followers now - Laura A being the most recent - Yay Laura!
Nothing extra to say, just wanted to thank everyone who registered as a follower - makes Kristy and I very happy!!
Nothing extra to say, just wanted to thank everyone who registered as a follower - makes Kristy and I very happy!!
Now in Adelaide
Kristy and I arrived in South Australia at last this afternoon. We took a hitchhiker along with us from Mildura to Adelaide... yes we did... are you shocked! It was a little fly. Although we tried to push it out the windows for the four hours drive, little Louie just wouldn't leave us. Who knew that we would have a stalker so early into our trip?!
Kristy was pretty surprised at the SA/Vic border when the fruit gestapo stopped us (and every vehicle) and asked to look through our van for any fruit that we might be illegally taking over the border. We gave up the Mildura oranges, which really didn't matter as we purchased another bag of freshly picked oranges near Berri.
I really liked Mildura and Wentworth, but I was ready to leave.
It is nice to be in Adelaide, in Mel's (my daughter's)house. Strangely enough, Mel is in Melbourne visiting my mother, but she arrives back here tomorrow. I must say that being in a house again, it is nice to have carpet and a lounge chair (they have recliners, OMG! Luxury!)
It is also lovely to be able to wash a vegetable in a sink before cutting it, rather than finding a random outdoor tap in the caravan parks. And a laundry where I don't have to wait for a washing machine, let alone find four $1 coins to operate it! And to have a shower WITHOUT wearing thongs! Let alone having a TV to watch - Mel has Foxtel too - woooo hooooo!!!
I have read through what I just wrote and it looks like I am complaining about travelling, but I am really not. I love sleeping in until 10am every day, and then just slowly waking up and heading for the showers. Kristy and I usually have showers in adjoining shower stalls, and we chat to each other over the wall the whole time while we are showering, usually about the plans for the day or what we dreamt about last night. I love that we start exploring whatever region we are in at about lunchtime. I love playing table tennis in the recreation halls. I love eating whatever I want, when I want, and not worrying about the time of day. I love reading in the evenings, or playing cards, or watching the L Word on Kristy's computer (thank you peter, thank you thank you thank you for loading it on for us). I love planning the next leg of the trip.
As to the next leg of the trip. We leave Adelaide on Friday and head to NT. There we will, at a minimum, go to Uluru and Alice Springs. Maybe other places - any ideas anyone?
We will be back in Vic on the 5th Aug until about the 13th Aug. Our time in Melb is getting pretty booked up already! Then we look like being back in Melb in early Oct. Does anyone have any work for me around that time? Cathy? Robyn? Suzie?
Btw - in case you are wondering, the tarot reading stall at the Red Cliffs market was unfortunately not a success. I think that a lot of people did not know what tarot cards were. I had a lot of comments as people walked passed the stall, comments that referred to me being a mind reader, or a fortune teller (I wish!!). I only had one woman interested in having a tarot reading, and she was so lovely that I didn't even want to charge her. But she gave me the money anyway. Next time I do a market I am going to offer neck and shoulder massages. At the Red Cliffs market, Kristy did have someone offer to buy our van, lol! She said no before asking them what they were prepared to give! I love our Beast, but offer me $20K and I would wave goodbye to it!
I have just made a lovely lovely yummy vegetable soup - it is the best vegie soup ever (ask anyone that has eaten it - OMG! It is the BEST! - Jake, you will concur on this won't you!?)
Please 'comment' us on the blog, or register as a follower, or send me an email - I want to hear how everyone is going...and this means you too Robyn ---- no excuse even though I know you are busy!
Kristy was pretty surprised at the SA/Vic border when the fruit gestapo stopped us (and every vehicle) and asked to look through our van for any fruit that we might be illegally taking over the border. We gave up the Mildura oranges, which really didn't matter as we purchased another bag of freshly picked oranges near Berri.
I really liked Mildura and Wentworth, but I was ready to leave.
It is nice to be in Adelaide, in Mel's (my daughter's)house. Strangely enough, Mel is in Melbourne visiting my mother, but she arrives back here tomorrow. I must say that being in a house again, it is nice to have carpet and a lounge chair (they have recliners, OMG! Luxury!)
It is also lovely to be able to wash a vegetable in a sink before cutting it, rather than finding a random outdoor tap in the caravan parks. And a laundry where I don't have to wait for a washing machine, let alone find four $1 coins to operate it! And to have a shower WITHOUT wearing thongs! Let alone having a TV to watch - Mel has Foxtel too - woooo hooooo!!!
I have read through what I just wrote and it looks like I am complaining about travelling, but I am really not. I love sleeping in until 10am every day, and then just slowly waking up and heading for the showers. Kristy and I usually have showers in adjoining shower stalls, and we chat to each other over the wall the whole time while we are showering, usually about the plans for the day or what we dreamt about last night. I love that we start exploring whatever region we are in at about lunchtime. I love playing table tennis in the recreation halls. I love eating whatever I want, when I want, and not worrying about the time of day. I love reading in the evenings, or playing cards, or watching the L Word on Kristy's computer (thank you peter, thank you thank you thank you for loading it on for us). I love planning the next leg of the trip.
As to the next leg of the trip. We leave Adelaide on Friday and head to NT. There we will, at a minimum, go to Uluru and Alice Springs. Maybe other places - any ideas anyone?
We will be back in Vic on the 5th Aug until about the 13th Aug. Our time in Melb is getting pretty booked up already! Then we look like being back in Melb in early Oct. Does anyone have any work for me around that time? Cathy? Robyn? Suzie?
Btw - in case you are wondering, the tarot reading stall at the Red Cliffs market was unfortunately not a success. I think that a lot of people did not know what tarot cards were. I had a lot of comments as people walked passed the stall, comments that referred to me being a mind reader, or a fortune teller (I wish!!). I only had one woman interested in having a tarot reading, and she was so lovely that I didn't even want to charge her. But she gave me the money anyway. Next time I do a market I am going to offer neck and shoulder massages. At the Red Cliffs market, Kristy did have someone offer to buy our van, lol! She said no before asking them what they were prepared to give! I love our Beast, but offer me $20K and I would wave goodbye to it!
I have just made a lovely lovely yummy vegetable soup - it is the best vegie soup ever (ask anyone that has eaten it - OMG! It is the BEST! - Jake, you will concur on this won't you!?)
Please 'comment' us on the blog, or register as a follower, or send me an email - I want to hear how everyone is going...and this means you too Robyn ---- no excuse even though I know you are busy!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
baeffy again chatting away
Only two more sleeps left in mildura. Heading to the local market tomorrow, we are having a stall and linda is going to read tarots for the people of red cliff near mildura haha. Go linda. I will be office girl taking bookings and keeping time.
Weathers been very good to us, it does get cold at nite. Always rains when i wash the van or when we have to pack up the tent. Will be fantastic to move again. We will get to see elle, mel and mick in adelaide for a couple of days. Then off on the big trip to the middle of oz. Cant wait will be fabulous.
Keep you posted on how the market goes.................
Weathers been very good to us, it does get cold at nite. Always rains when i wash the van or when we have to pack up the tent. Will be fantastic to move again. We will get to see elle, mel and mick in adelaide for a couple of days. Then off on the big trip to the middle of oz. Cant wait will be fabulous.
Keep you posted on how the market goes.................
Friday, July 2, 2010
Written by Baeffy aka kristy
02/07/2010
Well me again. We have a couple more days left in mildura. Went to see the big wine cask and took a photo, not much else to do there, no wine tasting etc. Also went to orange world, missed the tour for that, so to rap up today pretty much washed the van whilst linda did our laundry. Fantastic linda loves doing laundry. Played ping pong, we are both improving and have our own bats now, good investment. Day 22 of push ups and sit ups. Push ups are getting harder, sits up not to bad.
Ordered a gluten free pizza from eagle boys, my half was delicious, linda's had pepperoni and mushroom missing, so we rang up and they were happy to re do our pizza again yay thats customer service.
Im still struggling with this coldy flu thing ive had, surely it will move out of my body and into someone elses haha. Linda's back is slowly improving although she is a little stiff in the morning. We make a great pair. We are visiting a farmers market tomorrow so should be fun.
Well me again. We have a couple more days left in mildura. Went to see the big wine cask and took a photo, not much else to do there, no wine tasting etc. Also went to orange world, missed the tour for that, so to rap up today pretty much washed the van whilst linda did our laundry. Fantastic linda loves doing laundry. Played ping pong, we are both improving and have our own bats now, good investment. Day 22 of push ups and sit ups. Push ups are getting harder, sits up not to bad.
Ordered a gluten free pizza from eagle boys, my half was delicious, linda's had pepperoni and mushroom missing, so we rang up and they were happy to re do our pizza again yay thats customer service.
Im still struggling with this coldy flu thing ive had, surely it will move out of my body and into someone elses haha. Linda's back is slowly improving although she is a little stiff in the morning. We make a great pair. We are visiting a farmers market tomorrow so should be fun.
Written by Baeffy aka kristy
Well me again. We have a couple more days left in mildura. Went to see the big wine cask and took a photo, not much else to do there, no wine tasting etc. Also went to orange world, missed the tour for that, so to rap up today pretty much washed the van whilst linda did our laundry. Fantastic linda loves doing laundry. Played ping pong, we are both improving and have our own bats now, good investment. Day 22 of push ups and sit ups. Push ups are getting harder, sits up not to bad.
Ordered a gluten free pizza from eagle boys, my half was delicious, lindas had pepperoni and mushroom missing, so we rang up and they were happy to re do our pizza again yay thats customer service.
Ordered a gluten free pizza from eagle boys, my half was delicious, lindas had pepperoni and mushroom missing, so we rang up and they were happy to re do our pizza again yay thats customer service.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thursday 1 July 2010
The internet is up and down, so I am not able to email people as much as I would like to. The same goes for the mobile phone reception. Please know, I am thinking of all my dear friends. We head to Adelaide soon and hopefully I will be able to catch up with you all via telephone when we are staying with Mel.
Mel has been so kind to let us stay with her for a few days before we head off to Alice Springs - Suzie, Theo... be prepared to meet us there!! Helen L. is also going to be there, and we may join her for a singing workshop – Yay! Although knowing my voice, I may either mime or just listen. How nice it will be to see friendly faces in the middle of Australia. But before then, we will see Mel and little Elle again. Love you Mel and Elle!!
It has been a good two days. I was drugged up (due to my back pain) but it didn’t stop us heading out to see some of the tourist sights.
Yesterday we went to the town of Wentworth – what an amazing history that town has! We took ourselves off to the Perry Sandhills. According to geologists, the Perry Sandhills originated after an Ice Age (40,000 years ago) and are formed by wind erosion over thousands of years. At these Sandhills, they have found skeletal remains of giant megafauna (Kangaroos, lions, emus and wombats). They were fantastic to walk on, slide down, trudge up, ect. There are gum trees there that have been covered by the fine red sand, and so we stood at the top of one of the sand hills, which put us at the top branches of a gum tree that was 100’s of years old.
Yesterday, we also went to Woodsies Gem Shop. We watched a demonstration of how a ring is made and the gem stone is polished. The whole thing was set in a cave like structure, and it was FILLED with jewellery and gem stones. I purchased a Jade stone necklace.
Today was very exciting. We drove for a couple of hours into the middle of nowhere. Lucky the van is 4-wheel drive! We visited Lake Mungo at the Mungo National Park. This is the site of what holds some of the oldest remains of human occupation in the world. Ancient fireplaces and hearths, stone tools, artifacts, animal bones and human bones date back at least 40,000 years. It looked and felt so ancient and sacred. We walked, Kristy took loads of pictures, I layed in the sand on top of the ‘Walls of China” (dunes within the dried up lake). The lake dried up approximately 18,000 years ago. I could see what it would have looked like when it had water – huge! The place is also the site of the oldest known cremation in the world (Mungo woman).
We had the perfect day – sunny, not too hot, and not too cold. I am astounded when I hear that it is cold in Melbourne when the weather is so fine here.
There is a table tennis table here at this caravan park, and Kristy and I are getting soooo good at it (watch out Tara, I will beat you the next time we play!!). Nope, I am not competitive at all!
Kristy and I will be back in Melbourne for a short time in August for Dave and Sarah’s wedding (7th August). We were thinking that we would try to catch up with everyone on the Sunday 8th August, so if people could keep Sunday night free to hang out with us then that would be grand. I can let you know the details closer to the time. I know it is a school night (sorry) but it doesn’t have to be a late one – unless you are having so much fun that you want it to be a loud one! Is Dolly Karoke still on? Please email or text if you are interested in catching up on the Sunday.
I also heard today that my apartment in Flemington may be about to be rented out! So fingers crossed everyone.
Tomorrow, just for a change of pace from the ancient, historic sites, we are going to visit the Big Wine Cask (I am sure that Karen, Mandy, Sue and my mum will appreciate this!). We may also go to Orange World. I also have to do washing tomorrow. I usually wear the same clothes (except for underwear of course!) day after day, but Kristy (strangely enough she has become very fashion conscience! Wtf!) puts things in our dirty clothes basket every day!
The Fitness Challenge is going well. 21 pushups today, and K also did 21 situps. I am holding off on the situps until the back is in better shape. Virginia (in Melbourne) is also participating in the Fitness Challenge with us from afar – go Virginia!
I am booked in at the local market on Sunday with a stall... to... read... TAROTS!!! OMG! I am freaking out a little as it has been a while since I read the tarots professionally (outside of friends), but I used to do very well, and I just have to remember that there is nothing to worry about it. Wish me luck. I must say that my psychic sense is feeling pretty strong at the moment.
We luv your comments here, and your emails. Keep writing. Don’t forget us.
Mel has been so kind to let us stay with her for a few days before we head off to Alice Springs - Suzie, Theo... be prepared to meet us there!! Helen L. is also going to be there, and we may join her for a singing workshop – Yay! Although knowing my voice, I may either mime or just listen. How nice it will be to see friendly faces in the middle of Australia. But before then, we will see Mel and little Elle again. Love you Mel and Elle!!
It has been a good two days. I was drugged up (due to my back pain) but it didn’t stop us heading out to see some of the tourist sights.
Yesterday we went to the town of Wentworth – what an amazing history that town has! We took ourselves off to the Perry Sandhills. According to geologists, the Perry Sandhills originated after an Ice Age (40,000 years ago) and are formed by wind erosion over thousands of years. At these Sandhills, they have found skeletal remains of giant megafauna (Kangaroos, lions, emus and wombats). They were fantastic to walk on, slide down, trudge up, ect. There are gum trees there that have been covered by the fine red sand, and so we stood at the top of one of the sand hills, which put us at the top branches of a gum tree that was 100’s of years old.
Yesterday, we also went to Woodsies Gem Shop. We watched a demonstration of how a ring is made and the gem stone is polished. The whole thing was set in a cave like structure, and it was FILLED with jewellery and gem stones. I purchased a Jade stone necklace.
Today was very exciting. We drove for a couple of hours into the middle of nowhere. Lucky the van is 4-wheel drive! We visited Lake Mungo at the Mungo National Park. This is the site of what holds some of the oldest remains of human occupation in the world. Ancient fireplaces and hearths, stone tools, artifacts, animal bones and human bones date back at least 40,000 years. It looked and felt so ancient and sacred. We walked, Kristy took loads of pictures, I layed in the sand on top of the ‘Walls of China” (dunes within the dried up lake). The lake dried up approximately 18,000 years ago. I could see what it would have looked like when it had water – huge! The place is also the site of the oldest known cremation in the world (Mungo woman).
We had the perfect day – sunny, not too hot, and not too cold. I am astounded when I hear that it is cold in Melbourne when the weather is so fine here.
There is a table tennis table here at this caravan park, and Kristy and I are getting soooo good at it (watch out Tara, I will beat you the next time we play!!). Nope, I am not competitive at all!
Kristy and I will be back in Melbourne for a short time in August for Dave and Sarah’s wedding (7th August). We were thinking that we would try to catch up with everyone on the Sunday 8th August, so if people could keep Sunday night free to hang out with us then that would be grand. I can let you know the details closer to the time. I know it is a school night (sorry) but it doesn’t have to be a late one – unless you are having so much fun that you want it to be a loud one! Is Dolly Karoke still on? Please email or text if you are interested in catching up on the Sunday.
I also heard today that my apartment in Flemington may be about to be rented out! So fingers crossed everyone.
Tomorrow, just for a change of pace from the ancient, historic sites, we are going to visit the Big Wine Cask (I am sure that Karen, Mandy, Sue and my mum will appreciate this!). We may also go to Orange World. I also have to do washing tomorrow. I usually wear the same clothes (except for underwear of course!) day after day, but Kristy (strangely enough she has become very fashion conscience! Wtf!) puts things in our dirty clothes basket every day!
The Fitness Challenge is going well. 21 pushups today, and K also did 21 situps. I am holding off on the situps until the back is in better shape. Virginia (in Melbourne) is also participating in the Fitness Challenge with us from afar – go Virginia!
I am booked in at the local market on Sunday with a stall... to... read... TAROTS!!! OMG! I am freaking out a little as it has been a while since I read the tarots professionally (outside of friends), but I used to do very well, and I just have to remember that there is nothing to worry about it. Wish me luck. I must say that my psychic sense is feeling pretty strong at the moment.
We luv your comments here, and your emails. Keep writing. Don’t forget us.
This was written yesterday, however internet access was dodgy so it was only able to be posted today, and even that took half an hour of trying!
The internet is up and down, so I am not able to email people as much as I would like to. The same goes for the mobile phone reception. Please know, I am thinking of all my dear friends. We head to Adelaide soon and hopefully I will be able to catch up with you all via telephone when we are staying with Mel.
Mel has been so kind to let us stay with her for a few days before we head off to Alice Springs - Suzie, Theo... be prepared to meet us there!! Helen L. is also going to be there, and we may join her for a singing workshop – Yay! Although knowing my voice, I may either mime or just listen. How nice it will be to see friendly faces in the middle of Australia. But before then, we will see Mel and little Elle again. Love you Mel and Elle!!
It has been a good two days. I was drugged up (due to my back pain) but it didn’t stop us heading out to see some of the tourist sights.
Yesterday we went to the town of Wentworth – what an amazing history that town has! We took ourselves off to the Perry Sandhills. According to geologists, the Perry Sandhills originated after an Ice Age (40,000 years ago) and are formed by wind erosion over thousands of years. At these Sandhills, they have found skeletal remains of giant megafauna (Kangaroos, lions, emus and wombats). They were fantastic to walk on, slide down, trudge up, ect. There are gum trees there that have been covered by the fine red sand, and so we stood at the top of one of the sand hills, which put us at the top branches of a gum tree that was 100’s of years old.
Yesterday, we also went to Woodsies Gem Shop. We watched a demonstration of how a ring is made and the gem stone is polished. The whole thing was set in a cave like structure, and it was FILLED with jewellery and gem stones. I purchased a Jade stone necklace.
Today was very exciting. We drove for a couple of hours into the middle of nowhere. Lucky the van is 4-wheel drive! We visited Lake Mungo at the Mungo National Park. This is the site of what holds some of the oldest remains of human occupation in the world. Ancient fireplaces and hearths, stone tools, artifacts, animal bones and human bones date back at least 40,000 years. It looked and felt so ancient and sacred. We walked, Kristy took loads of pictures, I layed in the sand on top of the ‘Walls of China” (dunes within the dried up lake). The lake dried up approximately 18,000 years ago. I could see what it would have looked like when it had water – huge! The place is also the site of the oldest known cremation in the world (Mungo woman).
We had the perfect day – sunny, not too hot, and not too cold. I am astounded when I hear that it is cold in Melbourne when the weather is so fine here.
There is a table tennis table here at this caravan park, and Kristy and I are getting soooo good at it (watch out Tara, I will beat you the next time we play!!). Nope, I am not competitive at all!
Kristy and I will be back in Melbourne for a short time in August for Dave and Sarah’s wedding (7th August). We were thinking that we would try to catch up with everyone on the Sunday 8th August, so if people could keep Sunday night free to hang out with us then that would be grand. I can let you know the details closer to the time. I know it is a school night (sorry) but it doesn’t have to be a late one – unless you are having so much fun that you want it to be a loud one! Is Dolly Karoke still on? Please email or text if you are interested in catching up on the Sunday.
I also heard today that my apartment in Flemington may be about to be rented out! So fingers crossed everyone.
Tomorrow, just for a change of pace from the ancient, historic sites, we are going to visit the Big Wine Cask (I am sure that Karen, Mandy, Sue and my mum will appreciate this!). We may also go to Orange World. I also have to do washing tomorrow. I usually wear the same clothes (except for underwear of course!) day after day, but Kristy (strangely enough she has become very fashion conscience! Wtf!) puts things in our dirty clothes basket every day!
The Fitness Challenge is going well. 21 pushups today, and K also did 21 situps. I am holding off on the situps until the back is in better shape. Virginia (in Melbourne) is also participating in the Fitness Challenge with us from afar – go Virginia!
I am booked in at the local market on Sunday with a stall... to... read... TAROTS!!! OMG! I am freaking out a little as it has been a while since I read the tarots professionally (outside of friends), but I used to do very well, and I just have to remember that there is nothing to worry about it. Wish me luck. I must say that my psychic sense is feeling pretty strong at the moment.
We luv your comments here, and your emails. Keep writing. Don’t forget us.
The internet is up and down, so I am not able to email people as much as I would like to. The same goes for the mobile phone reception. Please know, I am thinking of all my dear friends. We head to Adelaide soon and hopefully I will be able to catch up with you all via telephone when we are staying with Mel.
Mel has been so kind to let us stay with her for a few days before we head off to Alice Springs - Suzie, Theo... be prepared to meet us there!! Helen L. is also going to be there, and we may join her for a singing workshop – Yay! Although knowing my voice, I may either mime or just listen. How nice it will be to see friendly faces in the middle of Australia. But before then, we will see Mel and little Elle again. Love you Mel and Elle!!
It has been a good two days. I was drugged up (due to my back pain) but it didn’t stop us heading out to see some of the tourist sights.
Yesterday we went to the town of Wentworth – what an amazing history that town has! We took ourselves off to the Perry Sandhills. According to geologists, the Perry Sandhills originated after an Ice Age (40,000 years ago) and are formed by wind erosion over thousands of years. At these Sandhills, they have found skeletal remains of giant megafauna (Kangaroos, lions, emus and wombats). They were fantastic to walk on, slide down, trudge up, ect. There are gum trees there that have been covered by the fine red sand, and so we stood at the top of one of the sand hills, which put us at the top branches of a gum tree that was 100’s of years old.
Yesterday, we also went to Woodsies Gem Shop. We watched a demonstration of how a ring is made and the gem stone is polished. The whole thing was set in a cave like structure, and it was FILLED with jewellery and gem stones. I purchased a Jade stone necklace.
Today was very exciting. We drove for a couple of hours into the middle of nowhere. Lucky the van is 4-wheel drive! We visited Lake Mungo at the Mungo National Park. This is the site of what holds some of the oldest remains of human occupation in the world. Ancient fireplaces and hearths, stone tools, artifacts, animal bones and human bones date back at least 40,000 years. It looked and felt so ancient and sacred. We walked, Kristy took loads of pictures, I layed in the sand on top of the ‘Walls of China” (dunes within the dried up lake). The lake dried up approximately 18,000 years ago. I could see what it would have looked like when it had water – huge! The place is also the site of the oldest known cremation in the world (Mungo woman).
We had the perfect day – sunny, not too hot, and not too cold. I am astounded when I hear that it is cold in Melbourne when the weather is so fine here.
There is a table tennis table here at this caravan park, and Kristy and I are getting soooo good at it (watch out Tara, I will beat you the next time we play!!). Nope, I am not competitive at all!
Kristy and I will be back in Melbourne for a short time in August for Dave and Sarah’s wedding (7th August). We were thinking that we would try to catch up with everyone on the Sunday 8th August, so if people could keep Sunday night free to hang out with us then that would be grand. I can let you know the details closer to the time. I know it is a school night (sorry) but it doesn’t have to be a late one – unless you are having so much fun that you want it to be a loud one! Is Dolly Karoke still on? Please email or text if you are interested in catching up on the Sunday.
I also heard today that my apartment in Flemington may be about to be rented out! So fingers crossed everyone.
Tomorrow, just for a change of pace from the ancient, historic sites, we are going to visit the Big Wine Cask (I am sure that Karen, Mandy, Sue and my mum will appreciate this!). We may also go to Orange World. I also have to do washing tomorrow. I usually wear the same clothes (except for underwear of course!) day after day, but Kristy (strangely enough she has become very fashion conscience! Wtf!) puts things in our dirty clothes basket every day!
The Fitness Challenge is going well. 21 pushups today, and K also did 21 situps. I am holding off on the situps until the back is in better shape. Virginia (in Melbourne) is also participating in the Fitness Challenge with us from afar – go Virginia!
I am booked in at the local market on Sunday with a stall... to... read... TAROTS!!! OMG! I am freaking out a little as it has been a while since I read the tarots professionally (outside of friends), but I used to do very well, and I just have to remember that there is nothing to worry about it. Wish me luck. I must say that my psychic sense is feeling pretty strong at the moment.
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