PORT AUGUSTA TUES 7 JUNE 11

Well its been a while since our last update, we set up at Flinders Ranges C/Park on Mon 30 May a nice clean place with a campfire. We had a quick look around town which didn't take long. On Tuesday we all headed out into the Flinders Ranges stopping off at Rawnsley Bluff and a number of lookouts, we then arrived at Wilpena Pound and we all headed off on foot towards the Pound, with Terry making it to the Billabong, Carol & Di to the Homestead, Rans to the first lookout & the Bewells to the top lookout. We all then walked back and had some lunch, feeling a bit tired, we then continued on driving along Brachina Gorge seeing emus, yellow footed wallabies, roos, wedge tail eagles & wild horses. The drive along the gorge was fantastic with many spectacular views of Mountains, hills, rock faces, creek beds & vegetation. The drive took over 3hrs and we didn't arrive back to camp until almost dark. We all slept well that nite!! The next day John & Sandy took an all day flight over the Pound, up to Lake Eyre over to William Creek for a stop over lunch then back through the Ranges, whilst we headed off to a free camp spot 18km nth of Hawker  called Hookina Creek this was a great spot with firewood close by but we were already greeted by a large stump still on fire from a previous camper, so that saved us collecting wood for a day. A couple of other travellers joined us for the next couple of days. Thursday we were joined by John &Sandra who after setting up took off for the day with Di travelling up to Blinmen and through the Ranges. They arrived back late in the arvo to a Roast Pork Dinner which was cooked on the campfire..it was Bloody Beautiful (as G.Holman would say !). On Friday the Ransleys & Bewells again took off for a drive through the Scenic Road, Sacred Canyon & Hawker (where we done our footy tips). We arrived back late in the arvo to have a nice meal, with Terry & Di having fish cooked on the hot plate. I tried to listen to footy on radio but only could get AFL :(  Saturday was an easy day hanging around the campsite catching up on paperwork and things with car & van, went on a couple of easy walks to historic cemetery, Ruins & the Old Ghan Railway. Terry went into Hawker 18kms Sth to do some shopping, then on way back we saw him coming, then drive by us and he kept going....so we said he will realise he's gone past and we waited....and waited ....and waited ...somehow he didn't see us so he kept driving and driving....he continued on for another 59km!!!!! THEN realised he might have gone to far !!!so turned round & finally made it back !!! Good laugh. We had a great fire with heaps of coals, it was Italian nite so Sandra did a Damper and it was great, we had nice tea sat around fire listen to the footy...GO MANLY bad luck Dogs!!! Sunday we headed off after spending 4 fabulous nites at the free site. We stopped at Quorn for morn tea & saw people we had met a Broken Hill. We then continued onto Port Augusta and stopped at Big 4 C/Park, very clean well looked after park. After setting up we go into town so girls can stock up prior to heading Nth into N.T well they sure did stock up !! me and John went grog buying then went & had a couple of beers and they still hadn't finished!!! Got back and took just as long to unpack and put away somewhere in the van. We had footy on tv so watched Mel/Sths game. Monday we headed off to Wadlata Outback Centre a great informative centre so much to see and learn. We then head back into town later in the day for a couple of things, do some computer stuff. Tuesday Sand John & Di went on a crusie up Gulf see dolphins etc, we had done it last time. Caz & Sand went for walk through Botanical Gardens in arvo to see Sturt Desert Peas and othr Sth Australian wildflowers, back for group tea in Di's van, then some more computer work prior to our depature tomorrow where we are heading for Woomera, hope this fnds you all well and its not too cold over in NSW. As you can see we are having a great time,but missing all our family & friends, take care, love you all,            Rans & Carol    x x x x

7 June 2011

Monday 30th May

We have been quite busy since our last blog.....As you can see we had a bit of fun on State of Origin nite......but I am not happy about the result...so at this stage we are not going to QLD at all on this trip unless we win the next two series !!!! We headed out to Silverton  about 22klm north west of Broken Hill, a very old and historic town. the others arrived in the afternoon & it was so good to finally meet up them. Friday we toured around Silverton & the Mundi Mundi Plains, Saturday we went into Broken Hill & visited the local artists and shops.We packed up Sunday and crossed the boarder into South Australia towards Peterborough, we got stopped at the Quarentine but we had already used up all our fruit & veges so no problems there. we found a great camp spot on the outskirts of town & soon had a nice fire going.  After a bit of a chilly nite we headed further north into the Flinders Ranges and booked in at a nice caravan park at Hawker. We are spending about 5 days here so I will have lots to talk about in our next blog, Hi to all out there, hope you are all well, miss you all, take care, talk soon xxxx

BROKEN HILL SAT 28 MAY

THURS 26 MAY..ALL TOGETHER NOW

WEDNESDAY STATE OF ORIGIN NITE

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY 2011

We left Gilgandra saying our goodbyes to Ken, Susan, Alex & Thomas, headed towards Cobar, stopping at Nyngan for lunch then to our campsite about 60klm west of Cobar.We set up before the rain started thank goodness, and the lovely brown dirt turned to slippery slushy mud in no time !! Luckily we were ready for an early night & didn't need to venture outside....cause there was a small stream running along side the van... after the storm !! The country folk will love us if we keep bringing all this wet weather with us ! We stayed another night and yes....it rained again ! We packed up fairly early in the wet and mud and headed to Broken Hill staying in the caravan pk in town (how good is electricity & hot showers !!) We have been here twice before so we only had a few site seeing things to do today, one was The Royal Flying Dr Service which was very interesting.We have had a bit of trouble with our fridge door (it keeps opening when we travel & all the food ends up on the caravan floor!)so we are getting that fixed tomorrow then we are heading out to stay at Silverton for a few days and meeting up with Sandra, John, Di & Terry who are still on there way. It has been quiet cold but luckily we have plenty of winter woolies & a nice warm blanket ( thanks to Cath & Eric xx) a BIG thankyou to all the Blogger Followers who have left messages ( Hully if I find one dog hair in my house !! :( take care all of you xxx