Oodnadatta Track

Hi! Sorry you've got me again. We seem to be so busy during the days and Tess is sound asleep as I type. If there is time in the morning before we leave, i'll get her to write a few words.

The photo on your right is of the kids with Lili, Evie and Orlo on the Blinman Pools walk in the Flinders Ranges. I thought it was pretty cute :) Middle photo is at Coward Springs and the left photo is of our trailer set up without the annex (kitchen is pulled out at the back) - for you Jane x

Since our last post we have travelled to Leigh Creek via Port Augusta (big backtrack involved) where we picked up our new wheel and open roof rack. Now we look like real outback travellers, complete with firewood strapped to the roof racks for campfires at night (thanks Sara and David for the tip!). Leigh Creek was quite a surprise really. All the houses are exactly the same (cream weatherboard transportables) and the streets are all identical with lovely gum trees and native plants - quite a contrast to the bleak countryside surroundings. I was quite sad to miss one of my old students from Adelaide who is now the Vice Principal at the Leigh Creek Area School, she chose a terrible time to go to Canada!

From Leigh Creek we headed north to Maree and then west on the Oodnadatta Track. The roads here were actually better than in the Flinders and we have had no more tyre troubles (Murphy's Law in action there!). Last night was spent at a gorgeous little oasis Coward Springs. We enjoyed a refreshing dip in the natural spas when we arrived before setting up for the night. We didn't put the annex up for the first time, mostly because it was an overnight stay and we couldn't be bothered but also because for the first time the weather was warm enough to hang outside around the campfire for dinner. After the kids went to bed, Shane and I watched a dingo hovering only metres from our tent. Needless to say we were glad that the kids (particularly Tess who had shown grave concern) didn't see the big dog and were fastidiously clean in our pack up of the dinner and kitchen!

Today we drove through William Creek (dropped in to the Pub) and on to Coober Pedy (which I have referred to as Cooper Pedy for ever before being corrected by my daughter over dinner!). The Old Timers Mine was a great delight to both the kids and Shane and I this afternoon. Only 20 years ago when they were extending the museum to include a lower entry point, they came upon an opal vein worth $50,000! They have left a couple of veins within the mine for visitors to see - I wonder how many have tried their luck at excavation whilst doing the self guided tour over the years? I imagine that the closed circuit TV would discourage many.

Tomorrow we head north to Kulgera (?) which is about half way to Uluru. Sunday we'll arrive at Uluru for a couple of days before heading on the Kings Canyon and the West Macdonald Ranges.

Kids still having a ball. Harry is in a perpetual state of excitement. I think most of it has to do with having his beloved Dad about 24/7. Harry will tell Shane how much he loves him at least a dozen times a day! Tess and Charlie seem to have slipped into the travelling zone nicely. They are particularly happy when out bushwalking and exploring, lots more of that to come! Life around the campsite is pretty cruisy. We have a bit of a jobs roster going and they are becoming more useful (particularly Tess) when breaking camp or setting up. It feels as though we have been on the road for weeks, but it has been only 11 days! How wonderful to think that we still have 8 weeks to go :)

Hope you are all well. Em x