Here we are at the Corner (I've decided you're allowed to call it that once you've visited). Looks like I made a miscalculation and Port Augusta is a bit further than i thought, anyway we decided to visit the Corner and then retrace our steps back to Peterbough, before we head off to Lake Eyre. The roads out here are pretty rough and fuel is very exie. So we made it to the Corner this morning, driving through the Sturt NP is quite beautiful lots of animals and sand dunes. Coming back we hit a bump and whoops broke one of the springs on the trailer. We had gone over a big bump yesterday and Dorothy & the trailer went airborne, looks like that little flight damaged the spring and it was just waiting for one more little bump to snap. Luckily we weren't going fast so no damage to Dorothy. So now we are stuck about 20klms from Cameron's Corner. S jerry rigged the trailer to get it off the road & I set off to the ranger station to call for help. When I got there no one was home, the gates were locked and a beware of dog sign is up. I tooted but no-one heard. Then I had the bright idea to us the CB so I called out on several channels and the ranger heard me. He came to the rescue, as he has a welder, he and S are going to see what they can do to get us back to town. We might be stuck in town for a day or 2 to wait for new springs to come up from Broken Hill.
We went north from the Murray (near Mannum) to Peterbough then headed east back to Broken Hill, I decided to go that way as the Silver City Hwy looks like the best road to the Corner. We camped just out of Peterbough at a roadside camp and left really early to get to Broken Hill before it got too hot. In Broken Hill we saw the Pro Hart gallery. I didn't know that much about the man but the gallery really tells you a lot about him. The gallery is quite small it is in his old house, but there are lots of pictures displaying all his various styles, there also his 4 rolls royces to see and a very informative video about him as a person. It was so nice and cool inside we stayed for an hour or so, S nearly fell asleep watching the video so we thought we'd better be off. We found a camp about 60klms up the road. There were no official off the road camps so we tried a couple of creeks but the sand was too soft, on the third attempt we found a good shady camp. It was very good but the ants tried to eat you all the time, there were only little ones but they are like ginger ants very bitey! Had to put my covered shoes on. Next morning we set off again and guess what?? We found a lake in the middle of the country, yes a lake, not a yucky salt lake a real honest to goodness fresh water lake. Turns out it rained up here a few days ago so there is lots of surface water around. We stopped for a rest as it was getting hot and I had a little paddle, the water was only knee deep but nice and cool. We camped at the Sturt NP and the rest is history.
Well S and Bill and fixing the trailer now so we'll see what the next episode will bring.
Posted 16th March
It feels like ages since my last post, but only 3 days have passed. The boys gerry rigged the trailer to make it back to Broken Hill by finding some extra spring leaves and bolting & welding them together. Everything is a bit crooked but should hold till Broken Hill. We camped another night at the National Park.
Headed off early to Tibooburra The 130k journey seemed twice the length as we couldn't go over 40km/h. We had a short stop at Tim?? to pick up some groceries and headed out again, we made a nice day camp just outside of the town where they had a bore running and a little pond for a swim.
In the evening we set off again (not wanting to travel in the heat of the day) we dawdled down the road for a couple of hours, I was driving, when we pulled up I turned the ignition off, out of habit, and all the lights went off!!! Dorothy's engine would not start, nothing, no clock or dash lights, nothing. Strange thing the CB was still working. S looked under the bonnet, i checked out all the fuses, could not find anything wrong. There was no reception on the phone so we started to set up camp. The road had been deserted but then someone came along, S thought 'Great they can give us a pull start' (I explained what this is back at the Gulf) so the fellow pulls up, is in a hurry, but agrees to try the pull start. He is getting reception, so i figure 'if he is getting reception I should be too'. Tried again and did get through,bloke was in hurry so he says goodbye & drives off, unfortunately i didn't have enough power in the phone to keep the reception so had to ring off & plug in to recharge (the cigarette recharger was also working). Stressed to the max we ended up in a row. By the time that was over it was much too late to call AANT so we had to wait till the next morning, at least the car was off the road. No one came past all night. In the morning the phone was charged and I did get through, turns out there are no NRMA guys till Broken Hill which was more than 300 kms away. So even though I'm in premium cover I would still have to 'contribute' to the tow. With the trailer it would cost even more. The guy gives S some hints as to what might be wrong with Dorothy and it turns out it was a broken wire that S couldn't see properly in the night Wheew! Dorothy started! That saved I don't know how many $$.
So we packed up and headed slowly to Broken Hill, after the bad luck we decided to bite the bullet and drive the whole way. It took hours, we traveled at about 40km/h to Packsaddle (the road is mostly unsealed) then after Packsaddle there is more sealed sections so we averaged about 60km/h to Broken Hill. Got into BH about 4pm after about a 5-6 hour journey. We found a trailer place the bloke takes one look at the trailer and says 'Too much for me mate' S felt like thumping the bugger (he is supposed to be a trailer specialist). Anyway he can sell us all the parts & has put us onto a boiler maker who will do the welding. The repair will cost about $500 & we have to wait till Monday. There is a big race meeting on in BH so we didn't want to stay in the caravan park, we found a camp a few ams back down the Silver Hwy which is nice and shady. Luckily the weather is quite mild and we have plenty of water and shade, we will just hang here till Monday morning.
The evenings have been quite cool, last night i needed 3 blankies! But after a sleep in and another rest earlier in the day we are both refreshed and will not be going home via Stuart Hwy after all. (last night we were so tired both of us felt like packing the whole trip in) Did the calculations again today hopefully I haven't made any more mistakes - this week Broken Hill to Ceduna with a side trip to Lake Eyre ( ~ 1700 klms) next week Perth (~1900 klms) WC 1/4/13 Port Headland (~ 1600) we'll probably camp a little past the town. Then the last week WC 8/4/13 and we make the final dash home to Darwin (~2400 klms) I should be home just in time to have a shower before I have to go back to work! Oh well, I haven't been allocated the days or place I'll be working at so I can figure that out when I get home. That's a total of ~7600 klms to go!
Missing everyone at home and sorry I'll be two weeks late but can't be helped. Kisses to everyone :ox
Posted Monday 18th March
Well here we are in Broken Hill waiting for the trailer to get fixed. We spent the weekend camping just outside the town and today has just been a day of hanging around town waiting for the repair. We did have a look at a place called White Rocks which was apparently the only place in Australia to see action during the first world war. Two men who were sympathetic to the Turks attacked a picnic train and injured some civilians. They were hunted down and killed by the local militia the battle lasted 1 whole day. Quite interesting I didn't know there was any fighting on the mainland in WWI. Well I've got Internet so gonna put this up and will catch you all when i have time and reception again. :o)
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