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.