Whyralla to Geraldton

Ok, so we are back to our slack selves again. Sharna is no help, she wants nothing to do with the blog and everytime i suggest it she whinges. But everytime i start it then she will help, so now it is her time to type since she can do it 7 times faster than i can.

Well we spent the rest of the week in whyalla, bumming around, fishing when the weather permitted(catching nothing) and even spent a night playing bingo at the local soccer club! Once the car was fixed, well half of it, we headed off.

Next stop was Arno Bay, where we stayed for 2 nights. Matt was going to head out on a charter for Snapper but talking to the locals the night before, they said it was a waste of time from here at this time of year, plus the weather was shit! So spent all day at the camper watching movies! LUSH!!! Arno Bay park was excellent small park with awesome hospitality in the owners. Had a great talk to them about the area and the fishing. Also the do a sunday morning pancakes and Wednesday night feast where they cook up a massive snapper for everyone.

Next stop we found ourselves at Port Lincoln for a couple of nights. The park was on the foreshore with a great outlook but horrible camping sites on the side of a hill. We finally got the camper set so it was levelish. Fished the next day out on the water, and finally fixed kris's motor problem on the boat so it doesn't conk out at random times. Rubbish day of fishing, caught nothing but a few small flathead and salmon till the last trawl home where i got a decent Salmon that we cooked up for dinner!

From here we travelled up the west side of the Eyre Peninsula to Ceduna where we stayed a couple of days so that we could get the rear diff pinion seal fixed before heading across the Nullabour. Finally we left and spent 5 hours driving across long straight stretches of highway. We stopped at Head of Bite to look for whales which we seen one playing around with its calf but a fair way from the veiwing platform. They say it is too early in the season for them. We stayed at Eucla that night before heading further across the nullabour. Sharna drove the first few hours which made her be the driver of the longest straight in Oz!

The weather was fairly crap so we drove all the way to Esperance and booked into a cabin where it poored rain all night! we decided to stay for 2 nights in the cabin. we headed for a drive around the esperance beaches which were nice, but would have been magic on a clear blue skyed day.

We decided to head inland for a night since the weather was shit on the coast, so headed to Hyden to look at wave rock. It was a cool rock formation, but that was it, 4 hours inland, to see a rock! wouldn't recommend it !

Headed off in the morning to stay in Albany for a few nights. This is Dog rock in town, cooler than wave rock!!!

we went for a drive up the coast a bit and  did a bit of beach driving, I thought i could drive without letting down the tyre pressure!!! Don't think so! Sharna had to take a picture, its a wonder it wasn't blurred cause she was laughing so much

The next day we headed out fishing. This is Salmon bay, where the salmon come in to spawn in the winter months, none when i was there tho!

We had a good day fishing. Fairly close contest but once again Sharna beats me in the most and biggest fish! This is her Skippy (trevally) and her Coota (she didn't want to hold it, so then it is classified as my fish). This was state of origin night, we went to town to watch the game live at the pub, but nothing showed it, so watched the game at the camper, 4 hours late, only to be deeply disappointed AGAIN in the refs! When are they ever going to let the blues have a fair game!

From albany we drove on to Margaret River area and stayed at Gracetown Camping ground. On the way we stopped off at the Gloucester Tree and i climbed 62 metres into the air to see if any fires were coming while Sharna stayed put on the ground. When we got out of the car Sharna was mobbed with parrots as she ate her muffin.

The next day we headed out to site see and taste the fruits of the margaret river area. The waves were awesome and these are a few pics from Gracetown point.

These are a small pack of dolphins frolicking in the waves

This is at the Margaret River mouth. Awesome reef break with equally good lefts and rights!

From here we headed inland to some of the wineries. We had morning tea of coffee and scones at a berry farm, where we were greeted with these cool little birds that loves the local jam.

We spent the rest of the day tasting wine, cheese chocolate and finished off the day with a perfect few beers on the lawns of the bootleg brewery. Awesome place for a sunday sesh!

Next day we headed down to bunburryBusselton Jetty just in time to catch the last train out to the end of the wharf. This is the place that the masterchef cooked at this week. It was too late to go down into the underwater viewing so we just had a romantic walk back along the 2 km jetty.

Hung around for the sun set then headed back to camp.

From here we headed up to perth where we once again spent 2 nights in a cabin because of the weather, and lucky we did, for there was a tornado hit brussleton from the storm that went over Perth as well. 2 days here and we headed to fremantle for a sunday arvo beer. Was packed, and after 2 pints i didn't want to leave, but since Sharna was driving, thought i had better. Plus it was $10 per pint, so would be an exy night if we had stayed.

In perth the next day, we looked around a few places and i bought a fish finder for the boat. Sharna was not very happy, and now the Stupid thing won't work. GRRRRRRR!!

Went to a movie in  the arvo - Hangover 2 - Was a crack up!

From here we drove up to Geraldton and we plan on staying 3 nights so that we can once again get the car serviced as it is already up the the 60k service. We have now done 22k since leaving Brisbane 5 months ago.

Yesterday we had a look around town and went for a drive along the coastline looking for somewhere for a basic fish. Nothing really found, and no fish caught.

Today, The car is in at service, so that gives me time for a blog. It is now getting close to the serious fishing are that i have been waiting for. We are now equal to Byron bay on the east coast, and heading further north every move, so won't be long until the elusive barra can be targeted. Just hope none of those jumping killer crocs jump into my boat!

On that note, Later ALL!!

From Alice to Whyalla

Well back again for another basic update.

We have travelled a fair distance in the last week or so and spend a s&%t load of money on fuel!(most expensive was $2.25/litre).

 First up we travelled out to the East Mac Ranges. Did some cool off roading to the John Hayes Rockhole which was a 4km drive down a rocky riverbed. Shook the dust of the car, but may have caused some damage as we are now leaking oil out of the back diff (off to the mechanic tomorrow to check it out) The picture shows the awesome water hole and if you look closely some even better scenery!

We also headed out to Trephina Gorge and did the rim walk which was awesome.

On the way home we stopped at Emily and Jessies gap for a quick pic.

Next day we moved home and drove! from Alice all the way to Marla for lunch. From here we were going to head down the Oodnadatta track but it rained the night before. We seriously considered it until after lunch we came across 2 vehicles coming out of the track, carrying campers. From the front wheels back was at least 3 inches of solid red mud. They said it had taken them 5 hours of sliding to drive from Oodnadatta to Marla, about 220kms. So we continued to Coober Pedy to see if it was any better down there, if so we might have driven out to williams creek and continued on from there.

NOPE! It was 4 times worse with what looked like twice as much rain, water and mud everywhere. So decided to stay the night in a motel room away from the mud and to continue to Port Augusta on the highway away from the mud.

From Port Augusta we headed into the Flinders Ranges for 2 nights to explore Wilpena Pound and surrounds. We did a 8km walk into the pound (which Sharna chose surprisingly ) and viewed some lovely sights and wildlife. From here we had a coffee and cake before heading off for a drive around the rest of the ranges and dirt tracks. We didn't take many photos but the amount of wildlife (kangaroos, emus, eagles, etc) was fantastic.

This last pic is at our awesome campsite at Wilpena. Our first fire at the camp.

From here we headed back through Port Augusta and continued on to Whyalla where we plan to stay for 5 nights. The park is really nice and overlooks the bay. The first couple of days are awesome with blue skies and no wind. We headed down to the boat ramp to check out the local fishing and seen massive snapper being cleaned. also at the boat ramp we watched dolphins follow boats in. We stood out on the jetty and they actually came right up to our hands looking for fish. So cool.

 Headed out fishing on the first day in town and caught a few whiting and snapper(small ones only)

Next day was sharna's choise so we didn't fish!!!!! Third day was mine, planned to fish but the wind blew up and no chance to get out !!!!

So that takes us to today. We did get our car checked today. Have some major problems. Back diff piston seals leaking and transfer box seal are leaking oil. The front transfer box is getting fixed on thursday but the back diff seal part is on back order for an undiscosed time frame, so we are in real trouble as we have to just keep going and hope it doesn't break or seize before we can get the part and fix it. Luckily it is under warranty and not costing us, but the time and inconveinience sucks!

Anyway, here are some pics for my ma. Its the Stuarts Desert Pea flower that we have growing here in the park.

Well thats it. Talk Soon!

The Red Centre!!

Well, as many of you heard, I lost 2 days worth of photos. From the time we left Coober Pedy to the night after watching the sunset over Uluru, Plus the Sunset Dinner for our Anniversary all photos were accidentally deleted from my camera. One little slip of the button – delete instead of copy!! GONE!!!!

Sharna took it surprisingly well, saying oh well, at least I got a few on my Iphone, Me on the other hand was ropeable. I tried every avenue to get them back. 4 hours the night before we left Uluru trying everything to find a way to get them back. I searched the internet for programs that could undelete mishaps like this.

Finally after a few hours I came across a few free programs on the net and one found my photos. So I tried to restore them, and guess what popped up, please purchase the full version. Not so free after all. But either way I was not going to lose the pics so I purchased the program for $58!!!! Then, after all that, it still didn’t work….. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

After a bit of internet and computer talk to friends and help desk on skype, finally got the program to work and restored the pictures!!!! WOO HOO!!!!

So here they are –

We left Coober Pedy and travelled another 5 or so hours north to a little place called Erldunda for one nights accommodation. Below is Sharna rounding up one of the many road trains. This one was small! Only 3 trailers!

This morning, Easter Sunday and our 1^st Wedding Anniversary, we left Erldunda mid morning and headed the 280kms west to Yulara resort where we would spend 2 nights in the lost camel wing of the resort. We checked in and chilled out all arvo around the pool drinking cocktails and beers waiting for our washing to wash and dry!

That night we headed out for our Anniversary dinner on the Sunset Dinner called the Sounds of Silence. MAGIC night!!! Welcomed to a remote platform overlooking  Uluru and The Olgas with a glass of Champagne and Canapés.

 After watching the sun set night moved on to dinner (buffet of Australian delicacies like Roo, Crocodile, Barra, and native berry and seed sauces) and drinks. The dinner was enjoyed with the sounds of a black fella playing didge! After dinner, an astronomer gave a talk about the night time stars overhead. Being a crystal clear night every star was seen, and was awesome. He explained the constellations and also some of the dream time stories from the natives. Over dessert we could have a look through telescopes set up to see the stars of Orion and the rings around Saturn which was really cool! The night was even wrapped up with a glass of port. LUSH. Then the bus picked us up and we headed back to the room for some……………………… sleep!

Next day was pretty cruisy, sitting around till 10 then headed to breaky. Then chilled till about 12 or so till we headed out to see the Olgas. The flies were brutal, but the scenery magic.

 

We were too lazy to do any of the walks in to the Olgas, so took some pics then headed back to Uluru for some close up pics.

 Here we found some pretty wild flowers for mum!

We drove around the back of the rock to the sunrise viewing platform, but it was deserted, obviously not as good during the day!

Headed home to get some fuel and top up the water tank on the camper for tomorrows trip, then back to the room to wait for sunset.

Headed out to sunset to watch the rock Change colour. Heaps of people were already there so I climbed my car and sat on the boat high above the trees and people. Awesome view, tho it was a little high and hard to get up, so Sharna decided to not risk a fall.

Awesome pics but somehow the colours can’t be captured. Still something that we will never forget, and luckily we now have the photos to remember it for years to come!

Now we are at kings canyon. No internet available, so sitting around typing this while Sharna reads. About to head out to the Canyon for a walk around the rim, a 3-4 hour strenuous walk with magnificent views of sheer canyon walls.

This is us after 5 minutes of the start of the walk. That sign is the start of it! Sucking them in already!

1st Panoramic half way up the cliff.

Finally made it to the top of the ridge!

These ghost gums are amazing. They are rooted to solid stone and the roots spread out above ground and absorb any nutrients they can get!

This is Sharna seriously contemplating the quick and easy way back to the car!

Us on the ridge.

2nd panoramic.

3rd panoramic

This is the Garden of Eden. An amazing amount of trees and shrubs all living off the flow and water pockets from Kings Creek.

This is a mad tourist looking over the edge of the sheer cliff face!

Same party of tourist, odd place for a picnic i thought! She is actually dangling her legs over the edge of 300 foot drop! no thanks!

Sharna, still contemplating!

4th Panoramic

We finally made it! Now where the bloody hell is the car!

The next day we headed out and left Kings Canyon. We travelled the back track to Alice along the Mereenie Loop. On the way we stopped for lunch at Redbank Gorge. Sharna really didn't like this walk as it was a 2 km return down a (scary) slippery and uneven dry river bank! She really hated me actually after this walk.

We left there and headed to Glen Helen Gorge to top up on fuel and decided to keep going 10 km down the road to Ormiston Gorge to set up camp at a National Park site. This is our site and our view. We also cracked the bottle of bubbly that the Lost Camel Resort gave us for our anniversary.

This is the next day at Ormiston Gorge

We left Ormiston and headed to the next spot for the morning tho we got sick of doing the walks and 1.5 hr return was too much, so got a pic at the car park anyway! BEEN THERE!

We continued on our way and stopped for lunch at Standley Chasm. It is best viewed at noon when the sun penetrated from the top all the way down. It was really cool.

We also seen this little moniter crossing our path on the way back to the car.

We are now set up in Alice Springs at the Wintersun Caravan park. Today we headed to the races but had as much luck as a bad mirror repair man....

So off to the East Macdonald Ranges tomorrow then headed back south down to Lake Ayre and the Flinders Ranges. Hope you are all well!