Well, it's been an interesting week on the road, very busy and difficult to get this blog actually started. So for all of you who have been holding your breath in anticipation here goes!
We set out last Saturday and initially decided to seek some warmth and go north instead of straight across  the Nullabor as originally planned. Having spent a few nights in the bus prior to leaving we realized just how cold it was and felt the cold was too much to put up with. However not far past Geraldton I started to feel a bit bored as we had done this road so many times before. And so, much to Johns delight (not), we decided to turn around and make our way back to our original route. We travelled through Mullewa and down to Merriden then back to the great Northern Highway and back on track. On our way we stopped over for two nights at Dalwallinu where I caught up with an old work friend, Ally, who said to say hi to all at the Oaks. Her house is looking fabulous and here is a picture of her at her veggie patch. Apart from the two nights at the caravan park in dalwallinu we have been free camping which we both enjoy. The bus is going well and very comfy and cosy. Weather has been great so far and we have not had too cold a night at all.
Fuel has been reasonable I guess with the highest price so far at $2.3 cents per liter for deisel. Not much you can do though except pay it. Came across a truck that had caught on fire the day before and was still smouldering. The fluid on the ground you can see is all milk as it was a truckload of long life milk and olives (but no olives left).  Will put some pictures of it as well. Luckily the driver was able to unhitch and drive the prime mover away before it went completely up in flames.
Enjoying everything so far but missing the family a bit of course especially when Rylee got on the phone today and said "nana please come home".
Looking forward to staying somewhere for more than one night though. Have been cooking some nice meals especially as when we cross the border all of the fruit and veg have to go. So it's been stewed fruit and casseroles past two night.
Will put the pictures on as soon as I remember how to and please note there are not yet any pics of flowers as yet. Although we did see some beautiful pics of Sturt Peas past Coolgardie.
Talkies soon
Xx Sonia and John

PRELUDE

June 2012

Here it starts. Its time to do the big trip and after talking with my boss about having 4=6 months off next year, we are starting to plan our trip. To be honest, although its a bit daunting, I think I'm ready to just get going. So let the plans begin!!!

June 2013

John and I are planning a 5-6 month trip starting somewhere in August 2013.  We started a countdown on the clock and it seems like yesterday we started the clock at 170 days and here we are down to 24 days. OM G !!   Although it seemed a long way away, in fact the way the year has flown it has come around so quickly. John has bought a Coaster bus and although its taken a lot of man hours and some frustrating moments, at the time of writing this beginning entry, it's almost ready to go. From a shell to a motor home has been quite a journey in itself.  

Just trying to restart the old BLOG, so I hope you come back and join us. Always love to get comments and letters from family and friends so please leave a message or 2  xx Sonia and John

Wildflowers of South Australia..For Chris

Hi to all the flower buffs
Once again there are so many lovely flowers and of course the STURTS PEA is the best of them all here in Sth Aus. As promised I was able to find and photo some and lucky I insisted on doing that as John kept saying we would see them on  the highway to WA, but there was not one so am so glad I made him stop.  So hope you enjoy. These flowers start at the NT/SA border and finish at the SA/WA border.

Beautiful



I trod in the nastiest prickle patch I have ever seen whilst taking this one.



Found these in a pot at a bakery. Couldnt resist they were stunning

Not really wildflowers but just loved them in a little town called Streaky Bay

Couldnt resist putting him in..

He found himself an old applecore for lunch and took off quickly with it.

SA had lovely bush and very pretty wildflowers.
love to all
Sonia.

Ayers Rock

Coming in on the last trek towards Ayers Rock we came across a big rock formation which, if you didn't know,one could have thought was the actual rock. It is certainly a very Ayers rock shape and size but we had been warned and so we passed "MT Connor" without getting too excited.

  But once we came upon the real thing there was absolutely no mistaking it. It is HUGE... After setting up camp in the Resort campgrounds, which are very basic and not very cheap, we headed out to the park. It cost $25 each and the pass lasts for 3 days. So you can visit the rock and the Olgas as many times as you like.

 It is sooo much bigger than ever I had thought. We came to the point where there is the "climb" but one look at the steepness and I knew it was not on my list of things to do. The rail and chain were halfway up the climb so just to get to that required some skillful climbing. If you have a fear of heights then forget it.  Lizzy was very keen to climb straight away but had not brought her proper shoes, but she almost got to the rail. Even she was a bit fearful.

The chain and rail doesn't start until just above the person who is halfway up.

Contemplation...

Lizzy on the way back..

after standing up there for some time (not alone) sitting was a safer way down

 One step wrong or a slip and down you would tumble. There are plaques on the rock in memory of those who have lost their lives over the years.  Close to 40 people on record.

Memoriam plaques of people who did not survive the climb.

That night we watched the sunset on the rock with all its varying changes of colors. Reds, Golds. and Purples. It certainly is something that everyone should see at least once in their lives. 

Gold

Red

Purple

Hi  from Ayers Rock.

There are pools of water around the base of the rock in some spots

Water holes

 and there are "sacred sights" too where you are not only not allowed to go to but also not allowed to photograph. There are $5000 fines for those that are caught.

One of the sacred site areas

 This is the only down point in that the rock is "owned" by the local aboriginal people and do not like tourists here. The aboriginal word for tourist is "Minga" and apparently means termite. They would prefer no visitors.  They ask that you do not climb the rock which is understandable but still people flock to the rock to climb. The rock conditions are closely monitored and the climb can be closed for many reasons as it was on our second day. (Too windy)
On that day Lizzy ran/walked around the base (10.6 ks) 

Running the base



Behind the tree

 We did a tour with the park ranger which took about an hour and a half. It was a great tour and included history, bush tucker and much info about the rock itself.

The "Brain"

The "Kitchen"

Women's business cave



Cave with aboriginal carvings and art work



Apparently they go over previous art work. Last known work was in the 1920s

The Olgas are about 40 or so Kms away and are also stunning in their own right. They look like great blobs of rock and probably similar size to look at as Ayers.

On our way to the Olgas

Big Blobs

The resort is a huge town like complex with a shopping area and several resorts within. There are several swimming pools and accommodation in huge supply. The resort is the only place you can stay so of course busy +++.  Theres no free camping for miles any where near the rock. Lots of red dirt and not enough trees but as its the only camping ground they have you on a hook. The ablutions are very outdated for the amount of people.
We did enjoy our time here though and I have at last seen The Rock...

After 3 days we packed up to begin the journey to South Australia.  Coober Pedy and opals  await.  See you there
love John Sonia n Lizzy