While waiting for the car we headed off on the bikes to pass some time , there were some shops we needed to go to - we needed a few things to fit our new diesel heater the van - the first place was 5klms away - bugger , they didn't have what I needed , but they told me a place that would - only 500m up the road - that turned into another 5klms up the road . Success , they had what I needed - a $4 part !! but at least I had it , so headed back to where Lyn was waiting for me . Todays ride was beside the main road and a little dangerous as there was lot's of traffic , but drivers here are used to cyclists .
Finally back to the ute to find out all the drama's above , they organised a loan car for us and we went on our way .
Next morning we got a phone call at 10:30am - the ute is ready to go , so I headed off to pick it up while Lyn packed the van up . The easy service had turned bigger than Ben Hur and the price had jumped accordingly - turns out the van problems worked out much cheaper than the ute service - Ah the joys of motoring !!
Back and hitched up , we headed toward Peterborough where we would be for the next 3 nights while I installed our new diesel heater , with some assistance from Frank - he had already installed one , and had all the tools I needed to complete the job . As it turns out , it was the best investment we've made of late - and works well - we needed it as temperature's at Peterborough dropped to 3 degrees overnight - up to 12 during the day , with a lazy wind - it went through you rather than around you !!! That was enough of a reminder as to why we don't like the cold .
After a few nights at the local RSL ( a dozen or so people in a hall ) with great gas heaters !! and a couple of great meals , and great company from the locals , making us feel really welcome !!
Saturday came and it was time for us to head off again , this cold weather is driving us toward the coast , so Port Augusta here we come .
Heading toward Orooroo , we found a massive population of emu's , there must have been at least 300 of them , only a few kangaroos though . There were a few that had tried to play with the traffic but didn't quite make it . Arriving at Wilmington , we started to climb through the Southern Flinders Ranges , then down the other side to the coastal plains , Port Augusta was only another 20 klms up the road .
After setting up camp and having lunch & starting the washing , we headed off to the Arid Botanic Gardens , stopping at a lookout that gives you views back to the Flinders Ranges .
Arid is definitely the correct name for these gardens - actually correct for about 75% of South Australia . Another lookout in the gardens is Mathew Flinders Lookout . It overlooks the top of Spencer Gulf , where Flinders lead his expedition to - he didn't get much further up the Gulf as he ended up beached in the mud at low tide .
The lookout looks over the gulf and over to the Flinders Ranges , in the photo is the end of a train - about 120 carriages sitting & waiting for the signals to change .
Views further to the right were to Port Augusta .
Where we were looking from was on top off some cliffs - they were red dirt and would be better in the morning light .
The tide brings the water right up to the base of the cliffs .
Back into town and we found a water tower lookout - 4 flights of stairs to get up to the viewing platform which was an old water tank , and good views over town and surrounding area .
That shows the new bridge , with the old bridge in the background .
Next day we headed back to the lookout and went for a walk down and alongside the red cliffs in a brisk southerly breeze - no risk of overheating - unless you were completely overdressed !!
Back to the ute and across the river , checking out the rec ground where you can camp for $7 a night - a very busy acre of dirt & gravel !!
A bit further south , the remains of the old coal fired power station are still being pulled apart .
Weather conditions are looking favourable for the next week or so for us to head further west - mostly tail winds or cross tail , definitely better than head winds !!
After another reasonable night - 10 degrees - we packed and headed off again , todays destination is Wudinna Showground ( pronounced Woodinna ) .
The landscape is dry & arid , orange & red sand & dirt , saltbush and wide expanses . The army has a vast tract of land on one side of the road , and use it as a firing range . It nearly stretches all the way from Port Augusta to Iron Knob , this is what it looks like .
Iron Knob is a small town beside an open cut mine that is gradually reducing the mountain to a small hill .
The spoil from the mine does look good though , with almost a rainbow of colours .
The road took us through varying landscapes , with large sections of mallee trees , cypress & saltbush , giving way to large swathe's of wheat growing areas .
Kimba ( not the white lion ) is a small township with the obligatory wheat silos , and is half way across the country on the trip from Sydney to Perth . It is home to the Big Galah - a statue of a galah that is about 5m tall , but it's main attraction is the painting on the side of the silo's .
The landscape changed again , this time there were more & more areas of sand & dunes in amongst the wheat fields . They do grow wheat in the sand as well .
Arriving at Wudinna , we found the show ground and picked our spot after filling up with water , power & water was $15 , got to be happy with that , and we had it all to ourselves !! It was right beside the footy ground , so there was a nice oval of green grass in amongst the dirt & gravel .
A nice sunset greeted us .
After a good night's sleep we headed off for Ceduna , but first stopped to look at the Farmers Statue , carved from granite , and quite impressive . Surprisingly there was some Sturt's Desert Pea growing in front of the statue .
The land seemed to get more sandy the further we went , but wheat was still grown here . Arriving in Ceduna , we found our digs for a couple of night's , set up , had lunch and went for a drive around town .
Thevenard is a small area at the southern side of town , it's also the industrial area , with a wheat , gypsum & salt loading facility .
This is the view back toward Ceduna and the gravel & saltbush & shrubbery is the normal outlook in SA .
So the foreshore of Ceduna is quite the opposite of this , lush green grass and Norfolk Pines beside the water of Murat Bay .
There you have it , up to date , we head toward the vast Nullarbor Plain tomorrow , and will enjoy some quiet camping spots as we travel across , stay tuned hopefully the blog will be updated a bit more frequently - internet pending of course . Here's a map link :- https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_p7bp3SZ6SeaIaQlCi_hho4Rbgv1sWIo&usp=sharing
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