The First couple of Days.

 

I had planned for a 9.00 o’clock departure purely because I didn’t think any of us could be ready by then but thought if we could get away by 10.00 then I would be happy.  At 10 to 9 Tina and John turned up ready to go.... Yay.  So with a bit of a push Ange and the boys were ready to go at 5 past 9 with Tim pulling up to say goodbye just as I got in the car. After a quick “see ya in 17 weeks” we jumped in the Jeep and off we went.  After a quick stop in Gt Western for a Egg and Bacon sanga we were heading north on a long awaited journey.

Nearing Minyip where the “Rats” were playing Tina asked if we could call in so she could say a last Goodbye to Taz who was playing netball there, Soon after (in Willy Nelson Fashion) we were on the road again, heading to Warracknabeal where Josie was to join to group. Josie soon jumped on the back of our convoy and we were off.

Ouyen was the next stop where we put some air in Josie’s tyres and swapped drivers around to head through to Mildura. In Mildura we grabbed a bit of fuel and lunch before again hit the road to Renmark. Pulling in we topped up with fuel before heading to Plush’s bend where we set up camp for the first night.  Last time we stopped here, there were very few campers in the area but with it being a long weekend it was packed with campers all looking to enjoy the river. We quite easily found a spot to pull in and set up, Hippy international tourists on the right and middle aged family on the left. Before long we were set up and John , Josie and I (Darren) headed in to town to do a quick grocery shop to grab some fruit and veg (SA Quarantine prevented us from bringing our own from home) we were soon  sitting down enjoying a meal with the smell of some Wacky Tobaccy drifting across from our international neighbours next door. The boys set up swags and we all had an early night.

Next morning we arose nice and early, Mitch threw a line in for a couple of casts before brekky and then we hit the road by 8.30 ish. Mitch had his first taste of towing a 20 foot caravan as he jumped in with John and got his first lesson, John giving some great instruction and Mitch learning heaps. Heading across towards Pt Augusta we called into Burra for a toilet break and a quick Pie before again changing drivers.  A couple of hours later we stopped at Port Pirie where we had a chicken and salad lunch at the water’s edge before continuing on to Port Augusta for more fuel. Time was getting on and we wanted to get to Pimba before dark so we didn’t hang long before hitting the road once more.

Arriving at Pimba around 5.30 we stopped and filled up before setting up camp for the night, Sausages and chicken fillets on the Weber with reheated roasted vegies for tea went down a treat while listening to the Hawks flog the Saints. Ange and Tina then sat down for their first of what will be many, game of cards. Again an early night, although a pesky Mossie did manage to delay our actually sleep time.

Monday Morning – Packed up and just about to hit the road to Woomera and I looked down at Josie’s back tyre and said “Houston we have a problem”.  It was a bit flat on the bottom!!!!  OK action stations, Thomas unpack the jack, I will drop the spare, Josie time to learn how to change a tyre on your new car. Mitch, Jack up the van and this is how to crack the wheel nuts.... Petty soon the tyre was changed and off to Woomera we went.

 

At the turn off into Woomera we saw the sign to Andamooka, both Ange and I commented that we might give that stop a miss this time, the Banjo music from deliverance still rings in my ears when I think of that place Ha Ha.... Soon after  we stopped off at the Rocket display area, John was in his element checking out the different rockets, planes and  bombs and Ange and I reminisced from when we were here 4 years ago. Time is getting on and we need to hit the road once more. Mitch took the wheel of Josie’s rig with me beside giving more instructions, soon it just turned into Dad and son time as we chatted for the next hour or so to Glendambo.

At Glendambo, John put the Kettle on and a quick group selfie taken by Josie, we started to hit the road. We then heard a Mayday call over the radio to say Tina and John had a flat battery.  RAC-Gemmola, again to the rescue with a jump start and off to Coober Pedy.   Heading up the road I was just in “Drive” mode when Ange yells “EMU”.  FAAAAAARK a bush Turkey decides to play “Chicken” with me. I jump on the brakes and do my best “hold and hope impression”.   When we bought the van the sales guy and Ange talked me in to adding the ALKO ESC. Well if that wasn’t the best $1300 I spent on the van I will go He.  It probably just saved me jack knifing the van in the middle of nowhere and maybe even rolling the car as it kicked in beautifully, for those with Caravans or buying a new one I can’t recommend it highly enough. (prior to this episode I thought that it was a waste of money!!!!)

 

 

Disaster averted, we continued on through to Coober Pedy. Here we checked into the caravan park, set up, showered and went for a walk up the street.  Stopping in to one of the many “underground” Opal places we browsed the goods before heading back to camp for 5’s, a chat and tea.

 

3 days down, we have pretty much just spent 90% driving but that was the plan, get as far away from the cold Ararat weather as quickly as possible before settling in where we can “shorts, singlet, thongs and swim” Coober Pedy is the start, I have got the Shorts, Singlet and Thongs happening and the boys even braved the 14 degree pool here at the park. Not for long mind you but they did at least jump in.

Tomorrow we will have a look around town and head out to where they filmed “Priscilla – Queen of the desert, Mad Max beyond Thunderdome, Red Planet and Pitch Black.