Back to the East

Wednesday, 12 October, 2011

Wildflowers near Ravensthorpe, WA

We commenced our trip back to the East by returning to Cranbrook, Gnowangerup, Ongerup, Jerramungup and then Ravensthorpe. We then spent two nights at Esperance to see Cyril and to stock the cupboards in readiness for the trip across the 'big paddock' once more.

Kimba, SA

Giant Galah, Kimba, SA

Our fuel consumption increased considerably due to a very strong head wind and at one stage we were averaging 31L/100K. We camped at Baxter Rest Area near Caiguna, then at the 52K Peg Rest Area and next the caravan park at Wirrulla. After Wirrulla we travelled through or past Yantanabee, Cungena, Poochera, Minnipa, Pygery, Wudinna and then stopped for lunch at Kimba, "halfway across Australia" and home of the 'Giant Galah'. We were able to ring Cynthia for her birthday and then continued through Port Augusta and Peterborough and eventually camped at Terowie's old railway station. This station was once the point where north bound and southbound trains met and because of the different gauge of the lines, all freight and passengers had to be transferred from one train to the other. It is also the site where US General, Douglas Macarthur delivered his famous lines, "I have come out of Bataan, but I shall return" in his first press conference in Australia during World War Two.

We then refuelled at Hallett and continued to Burra and Morgan. Our trip was then delayed by a screw in the front tyre of the ute but after getting it repaired at Barmera we continued to Renmark and then spent the night at Cullulleraine's Bushman's Caravan Park on the edge of a lake. Thursday, 20th was spent travelling past Mildura, Euston, Balranald, where we enjoyed a quite good chinese lunch and then to Hay and spent the night near Darlington Point at Birdcage Reserve Rest Area East.

On Friday we carefully entered Griffith and set up and tried to hide at the Caravan Village. We then had a quick trip into town for some 80's clothing for the party and fortunately we weren't recognised by anyone.

The trip proved to be worthwhile as Cynthia, Jane and all our friends were very surprised and the party was great.

Graham has a harvest truck driving job in Temora so we will stay in this area until after Christmas and then will resume our travels.

Still Wandering

Wednesday, 5 October, 2011

We arrived in Mt Barker to find there was nowhere suitable for us to park. It was suggested to us that we could camp at the Kendenup Showground. Upon arrival at Kendenup we discovered that the campsite had been closed because someone had claimed that they had become ill from the water. The locals said they all use the same water and we decided to stay there as it was a very friendly town and close to the Porongurup Range.

From Kendenup we explored Mt Barker where we visited a Mongolian Yurt, a round, transportable form of housing which proved to be very interesting. Mt Barker's main attractions seem to be vineyards and wineries.

We then tackled the Porongurups. Castle Rock was our first challenge, a very steep climb, lots of huge rocks but absolutely worth the effort as the view from the walkway at the top was spectacular. We had just started our decent when a storm hit the mountains and we were all soaked by the heavy rain and hail. The wildflowers were in abundance as a large wild fire had consumed the area in 2007 and this had prompted the wildflowers to germinate to re-vegetate the area. Our next climb was not as steep but a lot longer and up and down hill after hill. It was interesting as each area has different wildflowers and views.

The wildflowers around the showground at Kendenup were some of the best we had seen.

On Tuesday, after talking to Bruce on the phone, we decided to pack up and head for home to help Cynthia celebrate her "big" birthday and to help Bruce and Helen with some work on their house. Bruce and Helen were the only ones who knew of our plan to surprise Cynthia.