Painted Desert & Oodnadatta Track

Our last night in Coober Pedy was quite funny as we got chatting to the owner of the Chinese Restuarant where we dined to celebrate Tops birthday.  This Chinese chap, Wilson, originally an opal buyer in Hong Kong, was so excited to have people interested in his story, he was a bit neglectful in his orders - he seemed to forget to add cashews to the beef & cashews, and by the time it got to the sweets order, he was so wound up he gave the boys wrong toppings and Darryl’s nut sundae had no nuts!! However, we forgave him as he entertained us no end and was a really nice chap. His life story was very varied and he had tales to tell ranging from opal mining to Uber driving in Adelaide when the restuarant shuts down over summer. If you’re ever in Coober Pedy, pop in to see him and tell him we say hello. I don’t think anyone’s ever asked him anything other than order their meal.  

     

                                     

The scenery upon leaving Coober Pedy towards Oodnadatta was so barren and rocky it was like a moonscape. We could see what looked like bits of glass  everywhere and it turns out to be gypsum.  Along the way the scenery improved and we saw some cattle in excellent condition. The road surface was great as we met the graders and it was like a highway  - except it was extremely dusty and we had to blow off excess dust with the air compressor when we arrived at this station, Arckaringa. No one was home except the two dogs, so we set up in rather adverse conditions as the wind keeps gusting, and being on a working cattle property, the flies are back!! It’s as different as our previous camp site as possible as we are the only ones here! (well we were for the first night as there’s a family just come in) The two dogs made themselves at home with us and were lovely dogs - I could have kept the kelpie cross! 

We hope all mothers had a lovely day on Mother’s Day  - we were really spoilt by having a picnic lunch in the Painted Desert. 

                   
This was really worth travelling out of our way to see as the colours and formations are spectacular. Once again, it’s difficult to capture on film but these can give you an idea of what they are like. 

We were also very spoilt on Mother’s Day by having chef Dennis whip us up a batch of scones! 

We had another entertaining evening this time with the station manager Paul. We had many questions for him about Station life and stock management. The beautiful looking Herefords we saw proved he was correct in saying that this is excellent cattle country as the grasses are sweet. Dingoes are presently a problem though we didn’t see any. Evidently there are wild donkeys and brumbies too - but not many camels. 

                        

The trip out from the station to the Stuart Highway was one of the most beautiful drives we’ve had - the scenery kept changing but initially, with the unusual rock formations in the hills, the beautiful tree lined creek beds and healthy looking grasses, it was spectacular and you’d never believe it was desert country. And not far away was the barren moonscape out of Coober Pedy. 

Now we are in NT and about to experience Kings Canyon and Ayres Rock. Tonight we are in a free spot just by the border where we can have our fire and cook the bbq. We only had a very quick window of reception at Marla but believe we’ll be right the next few nights. Unfortunately, now we are on the boring bitumen, we’re travelling with all the grey nomads in their vans - we get very spoilt off road, having everything virtually to ourselves! And bitumen travel is just a means to get to a location - but  our off road tracks are an adventure in themselves! I guess we have to experience it all! 

We look forward to having phone reception so we can catch up with everyone. Meanwhile, we hope everyone is well and we send our love ❤️❤️❤️❤️ D &M, D & T