Gidday all,

Headed off on a side road which would eventually put us on the railway line to Leigh Creek. The line is not in use as they shut down the coal mine at Leigh Creek not so long ago. Hopefully a reasonable service track runs beside it.

Went ahead to check the road we were on, quite a few rolling hills for the camels to pull up and over but not too steep. There was one with a long decent, so after a few more ks on flat ground we turned back to check on Deb and the camels progress.

As we approached the troublesome hill Deb was stopped at the top, camels had bauked at the decent and Deb didn’t trust the brake on the wagon to try it alone. To make things worse a tyre had gone flat on the rear of the wagon. So after some discussion it was decided to hook up to the truck with the camels at the back of the wagon and ease it down the hill.

Out came the air compressor and the offending tyre was pumped up for the ride. About three ks up the road was some flat ground and a set of sheep yards next to a small creek, so we carried on at walking pace to there.

Once there, a kettle was boiled and smoko was had, then off with the wheel and the tube out and patched. The split rim on the wheel took some persuading to come off, but eventually it did and all went well.

The Camels looked on and joked amongst themselves about getting the afternoon off.

 

While camped Deb got word the other camel she was waiting for would be delivered in the next day or so. So we stayed at the camp and waited for them to arrive.

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gidday all,

Had a day pulled up to organize the camel wagon a bit better and give the camels a good feed. The wind decided to blow all day so not much was done, so we stayed another day when the wind stopped. Got it all done.

 

Even could have a camp fire and cooked pizza on the coals, who needs an oven.

Beautiful night sky and good food who could ask for more.

 

May be out of mobile coverage in the next few days as we go off to find the old Ghan line service track to travel on to go further north toward Leigh Creek.

On the road heading north from Hawker. Did some scouting ahead to find some tracks off the hiway for the camels, wanted to avoid traveling on the bitumen and traffic. Found some tracks but had to go along the bitumen for a few ks to get to them, so we followed with hazard lights to warn the trucks. A few cars slowed down and took photos

 

, finally came to the side track and did some miles then found a nice campsite and pulled up.

 

 

 

 

                                                            Full moon tonight in the Flinders ranges.

 

 

 

 

                                                               Wonderful sunrises here.   

Did the big push and made some miles. Through Mildura and on to Renmark, camped on the Murray River between Renmark and Berrie where the juces come from. Then off to Peterborough where we stocked up with fruit and veg which we couldn’t bring through the fruit fly zone into S.A. Contacted our friends with the camels and said we would meet them in Hawker.

Arrived in Hawker in the afternoon and soon found where they were camped near the racecourse

 

The afternoon was spent with nibbles and champagne from Tassie to celebrate their birthdays which are only some days apart.

 The camels watched on looking down their noses at us with the Flinders Ranges in the background.

 

Gidday all,

We made it across Bass Strait, boarded the boat and checked out the room then went out on deck to farewell Tasmania. The air was cold but the water was calm, we were still tied up to the dock. Finally got under way, the ship slowly turned around in the river, well done, not much room to spare between the two banks. We watched the lights of Devonport go by and slowly fade, then we hit the open sea and the rock and roll started, and I don’t mean the on board entertainment. Din went a bit white and I half carried her to the cabin where she lay down and stayed that way till morning.

You could really feel the ship rolling through the night but it was relatively smooth compared to the last couple of weeks. Last week a semi trailer rolled over on the boat with the wild weather. Lucky we picked this week to cross.

Now we are about half way up Vic. At lake Tyrrell, about 200k from Mildura. Camped up for the night. No photos yet, too busy getting away from Melbourne. Will be in S.A. soon.

Gidday all,

The time has come, the autumn leaves are falling and the rain and cold are starting as winter creeps in. All packed up and moved out of the gingerbread house, will visit our mate on the Forth River for our last day then board the boat to the mainland on Tuesday.

Experienced the best and worst of Tassie this summer, with the big dry and shrinking water levels in all the lakes, making locals worried, and catastrophic fires in ancient forests, to the peace and seclusion of the gingerbread house in the magnificent Myrtle Forrest of Loongana. Now the winter rains have started, hope they continue.

Our next adventure awaits. Hope to meet up with friends near Hawker in S.A. and tag along with them and their camels towards Lake Ayer and Birdsville. Oh, then we might pop off to home for a bit, just to make sure it’s still there.

Anyway, will catch up with some photos and updates later,

 The longest journey starts with the first step.

 

                                                  the gingerbread house, our summer retreat

                                                    grandson enjoying Tassie

                                                                              lit up the bath