No..... Not AGAIN!!!!!!!

 The number of vans on the road is unbelievable the queue ups at the servos is incredible, Thank goodness we are heading in the opposite direction, but in saying that we get the cold weather, and of late windy too.

We made our camp on the border (same as last year) but didn't get washed out of it this year.

Found this interesting nest, I think it may be the start of a termite mound but not sure, if anyone knows let me know.

For our next camp along the Stuart Hwy, we found a way into the railway line and camped near that, only had 1 train go past😢And he didn't blow his whistle for us, it was a freight train and we counted 100 carriages. Well I counted 99 and Les 100, so we will go with his. I would hate to get stopped at a railway crossing for that one.

Then into Coober Pedy, parked up at the donation camp at The Old Timers Mine. 

We went for a drive out to The Breakaways the first afternoon we were here, somewhere we hadn't seen before, Its such a stunning and unique landscape and thankfully the sun was shining to get some great shots.

They are called the Breakaways as at some angles they give the appearance of having broken away from the Stuart Range in the distance.

Luckily we did this on this day, as unbeknown to us, a storm came through that night and the next day, and all roads out of Coober Pedy are closed.

Yep, we've done it again, brought rain to the bloody desert.  Our plans to head into William Creek have been turned on their head as yep all those roads are shut too.

                             So there goes our chance at seeing Lake Eyre with water in it - AGAIN..

                                                  Looking dark coming over the town

We have just been sitting out the weather in Coober Pedy, with rain and wind gusts in excess of 80km/h we don't really relish the thought of towing, so according to the weather channel, conditions are meant to improve Sunday, so will probable head off then.  Just don't know to where now..??????

Through the Centre

 From Arther Ck, we made our way into Gemtree Caravan Park, and OMG, the dust in the van, definitely not dust proof, given, it was an extremely dusty road we had just been on for 5 days. But still..

So Gemtree gave us the opportunity to clean up and do a bit of washing, it will be black top from here for a couple of weeks.

Gemtree was a pleasant and interesting stay, and although we didn't do any fossicking this time (we still have garnets from last time we were here with the kids), it was an enjoyable stop even if the flies are still being over friendly .

Then a great one nighter at the Burts Plains campground, a freebie just North of Alice

We always seem to be the first ones in and the last to leave the following morning, there were actually quite a few vans and roof top tents in here with us, but no one was on any others' doorstep, there was so much room.

And in to Alice.

We had planned to stay at the Showgrounds but found another option in the Road Transport Museum.

Thank goodness we did, what a fantastic spot, we paid the extra and got a multi day pass to the museum for as long as our stay. We ended up extending for an extra day.

The museum was next level (if you are into trucks, cars and trains), it houses the Kenworth Dealers Collection, this would of taken up 2 acres at least, from the very first Kenworth truck built in Australia right through to road trains and the modern beasts of machines that pass us every day.

The cars from Model Ts, a 1923 Dodge, the Mulga Express, even a Rolls Royce and a fairly new Jag.

Then onto the trains, if only Robert and George Stephenson could see what has become of their steam locomotive.

                                                     Original carriages from the Ghan Train

                                                     It would have been a bumpy old ride.

                                                            But First Class back in its day

 

We finished our stay at Alice with a wonder through the Todd Mall markets, and a drink at the Todd Tavern. Then back to the van to pack up and ready to hit the road South in the morning.

On to the Dirt

 This week saw us  move briefly in Mt Isa at the free RV camp site,

 

it gave us time to top up supplies and Les to do a final check under the van and check that all was secure and as protected as it could be for the roads ahead.

Bush camps and camp oven dinners, 

                                                                 Sacrificial carrot

Came through the forgotten town of Urandangi, apparently had 3 pubs, general store and a post office, now 1 house and a couple of sheds. No evidence of what it used to be.

Some one out here has a sense of humour, old bonnets painted with interesting messages along the Urandangi road kept us amused.

Hate to be doing that maccas run.

                                                     And into the NT

                                    Did our first Station stay at Tobermorey as we entered the NT.

And paid $2.80/l for fuel.

But long hot showers made it all worth it.

Then the start of the Plenty Hwy and more dirt, dust and sand.

Camped a couple of nights near Arthur Ck to clear the dust from our throats before moving further along in the week ahead. Although the creek is dry, the landscape is green and fresh from recent rains, and the flies atrocious.

Near our camp

The dry Arthur Ck

Join us next week as we move back on to bitumen and down the centre.