After just over 21,000 kms and under the cover of darkness we made our way through peak hour traffic (what a welcome) home!!
It had been a day of mixed feelings. The girls were beside themselves with excitement about arriving home. They were looking forward to their beds, iPods, friends, couch, TV - the modern world.
Andrew and I were excited about home too, well some of the things about home. Bed, shower, oven, family, friends - perhaps we too were looking forward to a bit of the modern world. But all that aside we were so keenly aware of what 'coming home' symblised. The end of our precious family time, the end of this adventure, the end of endless days of following our instincts - no clock or schedule to speak of.
We both realise that we have been so fortunate to have had the time away, we really did check out on our former lives, this adventure was truly a once in a life time opportunity for our family. A time that will be one of the most important parts of all our lives.
So that's it...thanks for reading...I hope you enjoyed the journey too!!
A.
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Monday, 20 July 2015
Rounding off the lap.....
We left Ayers Rock Resort saying goodbye to Uluru and headed east for
the Stuart Highway. Within a
couple of hours we were at the boarder, saying goodbye to the Territory and
hello to South Australia. To our surprise the terrain surrounding the highway grew more and more desolate with each kilometre, until there was almost nothing. I’d been surprised at the amount of growth on the ground further north in the Territory – I had expected it to be like the type of scenery we were witnessing now.
We made it as far as Marla and set up behind the Marla Roadhouse – a
surprisingly well appointed overnight stop. Almost the best showers we’ve had in 4 months. However the niceness stopped there –
the overnight temperature dropped to minus 1. It was a long cold night – at one point I thought we might
wake up and the girls would just be four frozen sticks (imagine my horror when
they all said they were hot overnight!!!). The pack up early in the morning was tough too – you might say
it was the straw that broke the camels back! Thank goodness we’re sleeping underground for the next two
nights. We didn't know it at the time but Marla was our last campsite...
When we checked in and went deep underground (6.5 metres) the girls
couldn’t believe it. They couldn’t
contain their excitement. We’d been
reserved a large room in the backpackers section – the only part that had it’s
own door. We had 10 sets of bunks
to choose from – everyone could have a top bunk!!!
Cooper Pedy township was a bit depressing, tourism must be dying off a
bit probably due to the decline in popularity of the Opal (nothing like it was
30 years ago). Shopkeepers were
turning on the lights as we walked in and off again even before we’d left.
We visited (on recommendation) the Serbian Church which was a small well
carved underground church. Followed by some ‘noodling’ (fossiking) for opals before doing a mine
tour. The girls enjoying weaving
through the tunnels and walking through the underground house.
The highlight of the area was our drive out through the Breakaways Conservation
Park and along the dog fence. Some
very interesting scenery. We also enjoyed reading about the dog fence and
driving alongside it for a while. The colours in the landscape were amazing.
The following morning we readied ourselves early and headed out to the
car, to find the camper trailer and windscreen with a reasonably thick slice of
ice on top. The overnight
temperature dropped to near 0c – but not in the cave!!! The cave is a constant 23 – 25c year round.
We got away early with 850 kms to cover to reach Adelaide. With our arrival into Port Augusta we
realised ‘Our Lap’ was complete.
We’d passed this 3 way intersection 15 weeks ago – I can’t believe it’s
finished, sadness has hit!!
140 kms south of Port Augusta the speedo ticked over to 20,000kms!! All of a sudden we were back in
civilisation – heavy (for us) traffic going both ways. We also realised that it was the last
day of school holidays in South Australia and we hoped it didn’t mean lots of
traffic.
We were headed for my cousins house again to enjoy two more nights of
cousin fun. We’ll finish off the
trip how we started it. Perfect. We had one full day in Adelaide - the sun shone beautifully but it was cold. We had a picnic in Glenelg followed by a milkshake. Once again the girls had a ball playing together.
We were treated to a gorgeous sunset and spectacular sunrise before we set off on the final leg of our journey......homeward bound.
A.
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Heading south....
With 16,007 kms behind us we left Kakadu and turned left….south!!! After 3 months of driving away from home we’re finally headed in the direction of home. It feels new. There are lots of things I miss about home and once we finish this adventure I’m sure there will be many more things I miss about being on the road. So it’s a time of mixed feelings.
The Stuart Highway was at times busier than the Bellarine Highway - there were some funny sites along the way too!
Our journey south to Alice Springs was broken up with 3 nights at Mataranka Homestead – one more night than we had planned. I think we were clinging to the last of the warm weather and swimming in the thermals springs. It was a very relaxing 3 days.
From Mataranka it was a quick two day drive down to Alice – we had morning coffee at Daly Waters Pub...
We spent the
night at Tennant Creek (one night was enough) and visited the Devils Marbles,
all of us standing in wonder at how the enormous stones stay perched on top of
each other and silently hoping that today wasn’t the day they’d roll off!!!
As with many sites in Australia the history of the Telegraph is
surrounded with land and ownership conflict and a sad history followed the
closure of the station when it was used as a type of compound for mixed race
children.
We also took in the views from Anzac Hill.
Our final stop was the Royal Flying Doctors Service, such an impressive
and valuable service. The museum
and the short film were so informative and the girls were very impressed.
From Alice we headed west out through the West MacDonell ranges. Stopping at Stanley Chasm……
Ellery Big Hole……
The Orche Pits. This was a
highlight for all of us – it was like one giant painters palate. We all stood imagining we were painting
and pointing out where we’d take our colours from. Very impressive….
We stayed a couple of nights at Glen Helen Gorge Resort, visiting Glen
Helen Gorge…..
Ormiston Gorge…..
and Redbank Gorge…..
From Glen Helen we began our journey around to Kings Canyon, stopping at
Tylers Pass. From the pass there
is a spectacular view out over the land to Tnorala (Gosse Bluff). The traditional owners story speaks of
a Mother dropping her baby from a ceremony up in the stars and the baby falling
to the ground. Science tells us
that an enormous (600 m across) meteorite hit the earth. The crater is spectacular whether you
believe the traditional tellings or the scientific explanation. We stood and tried to imagine it 2 kms
higher and 15 kms wider just 40 millions years ago!!!
After admiring it from a far we drove into the centre, I think the view
from afar is the best view – or perhaps an aerial view would be the best?!
We arrived at Kings Canyon Resort in time to set up and enjoy the sunset
over the spectacular ranges.
Kings Canyon is best seen from the rim, the only downfall is it is a 6
km walk to view it. We decided
that we’d done enough walking over the past 3 months to condition not only
ourselves but the girls (especially Isla) to the walk. We set off early with a slow and steady
attitude. It took us 3 hours
to complete the walk, with 3 stops along the way. The girls didn’t falter and walked like seasoned hikers,
announcing it was easy at the finish!!
![]() |
Ivy rescuing a few friends then loosing her tooth!! |
From Kings Canyon we moved on to Yulara with the excitement building over
every hill, can we see it yet?
Finally it came into view and there were ‘WWOOOOWWWWSSS’ from every
corner of the car. What a
sight. Even after having seen it
twice before I was no less ‘wowed’ by it.
It is a magnificent sight and one that boggles the mind…so big!
We had 4 nights at Ayers Rock Resort. Day 1 was predicted to be the best weather so the climb was
on. I’d spent a lot of time over the
12 months prior debating whether I’d climb, erring on the side of not, with the
idea I would stay on the ground with Isla. Now that Isla had proved her fitness there was no reason to
stay grounded. Even on the morning
of the climb my mind was torn – finally my desire to achieve this feat with my
family won over the desire to respect something highly significant to
others. I think my (and probably
all other climbers) reasoning behind choosing to climb is the ability to hide
behind the unknown, such significance and connection to the land is so foreign
to us. Of course it is possible
for us to respect the fact this land and it’s formations hold great importance
to others while still fulfilling our own dreams and ultimately (for me)
creating precious family memories.
Having said that I think the rock punished us – Isla despite passing her
fitness test was not on form. It just
wasn’t her day!! Andrew assisted
her for the first section and then all she wanted was me. Andrew and the 3 girls powered on
leaving us in their dust. Isla at
times was like a rag doll, lagging and refusing to use her own feet. For those of you who have climbed Uluru
you would know that the first section, at times, is quite precarious dropping
off either side. A passing lady
took pity and gave her a soft jelly, which spurred her on for half a dozen
paces. We arrived at the top of
the chain, greeted by the rest of the family who were all well water and
rested, and Isla suddenly gained her strength…funny that!! The rest of the climb to the top was
easier but much colder – once over the peak the winds were strong and very cold. Isla held my hand for most of the time
– even as we descended – I walked backwards while she used my feet as steps!!! Needless to say she slept for 16 hours
that night so she must have used some of her own energy.
The 3 older girls climbed, probably like they would on a playground,
with ease and excitement. Only at
times faltering when the path grew thin or the slope steep. It was a big effort by all and one that
we’ll add to the special memory bank.
Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) were on the list the following day – I don’t
think there was anyone in the car who didn’t have sore legs. We were all reluctant to walk any
distance but we managed to do two small walks – 2.5km each. Just a lazy 5 kms!!
First was the Valley of the Winds to the Karu Lookout and then the Walpa Gorge walk…..
After the stories were told we were encouraged to create our own
painting telling our own stories – about our travels, our home, our family –
using the Anangu peoples symbols.
It was such a lovely experience and a very therapeutic one too. Here are our stories.
(top L Olivia, top R Alice, bottom L Me, bottom R Ivy).
With the end of the day came the end of our time at Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Tomorrow it’s time to head further
south towards Coober Pedy. We’ve
booked into an underground room – hopefully it’s warmer than what we’ve been
experiencing. The coldest night so
far has been .7c – bbbrrrrrr! But
we’re still smiling!!!
A.
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