Reflections on another blast

It’s ten years ago when we set off on an ambitious tour (“On the road at last”) to find out what Australia really looks like. It was an eye opener of a trip and one that began passions for Australia’s unique plants, its birds, landscapes, rock art, and a shuddering awakening to the reality of its recent history. We have completed many trips now, in various configurations, and all have been wonderful experiences. Sitting alone together beside a small fire somewhere in the desert, stars overhead that are so dense you can’t find even find the Southern Cross, wine in hand of course, small talk or often the sort of conversation you used to have with your partner when you first met….these are special moments not usually found through a cut price deal.

In 2016 we set off to Alice via Mutawintji National Park with our friend Jane, but the centre was so wet that year we confined ourselves to Alice with its camel races and the East MacDonnell Ranges, with wonderful camps at Ruby Gap and on tracks via Old Andado Station to the Oodnadatta Track once again. Last year we thought a winter at home was in order – our native garden’s Correas and Grevilleas flower so well then and we actually “enjoy” the cold. The amount of hearth work to keep the fires burning however was enough for us to declare 2018 another outback year.

 

A few important changes have been made to the doughty old Aussie Swag camper, with the spare being mounted up front instead of underneath, and a second water tank fitted in its place. The draw bar has been stiffened to cope, and new shock absorbers are waiting for it in Alice. It’s interesting how over the years we have tried up-market T Van, Vista, down-market swags (which were great at a level but surprisingly inconvenient), and we have ended up with a rig that is old, a bit grotty, but “cheerful”, basic and above all else practical. It is sad to see that Aussie Swag P/L have closed their doors in unusual circumstances (taking everyone by surprise) after more than three decades and I wonder if they have found the confounding Chinese opposition impossible to deal with.

So here we are on the verge of another adventure, new sat phone in hand, tyres adjusted, fresh oil in the sump, Engel running and full to the brim. The plan is to run up the east side of the Flinders Ranges to Arkaroola, cross over to Copley and grab a quandong pie, up the Oodnadatta Track then through Finke and up to spend a few days in Alice where we will try to get permits for the Gary Junction Road. That will take us fully fuelled up with 300 litres of diesel on board plus 150 litres of water, due westwards across the Gibson and Great Sandy Deserts. We will cross the Canning Stock Route (that we did in 2014), pick up more fuel at about $4/litre and then into Rudall River National Park, and on to Marble Bar and the Pilbara. We visited The Pilbara on our first tour in 2008 and found it fascinating. We expect to pop out on to the coast at Cape Keraudren to check out the crocodiles and perhaps turn right for a family catch up in Broome where about 30 of the younger mob are spending ten days together courtesy of their Aunt Anne and Uncle Graeme. 

Maybe Darwin and Arnhem Land after that if we have time and the shoulders behave themselves, and perhaps home mid-August. More to follow…….