Grandma's Big Red Van steps out.

[Lifemagician]

[That is the name the grandchildren bestowed on her.]

On Thursday 16th we set out on our journey to Adelaide. It was around midday when we (finally) got away, and an hour later when we finally hit the highway. The van ran beautifully and sat comfortably at the speed limit.

It was west of Ballarat that a horrendous hail storm pummeled us. In vain I looked for shelter, but there was not even a tree around. At the (eastern) entrance to Ararat we stopped at a roadhouse, for a break and a cuppa. My last stop for the day was at the caravan park in Kaniva, western Victoria. A lovely little park with a dozen or so spots. Run completely on an honesty system, the basic facilities were neat and spotless.

The trip however, did not go without incident. At one point a truck virtually ran us off the road, pushing past at the end of an overtaking lane. Another truck doing the same stunt, rather than run us off the road, crossed the double lines forcing on-coming traffic to take evasive action and avoid a head on collision.

As one approaches Adelaide one travels through the Coorong. This is a spectacular bird watchers wonderland. The wetlands of the Coorong are a vital link for migratory birds from the northern hemisphere, heading further south. As we came out of the bakery a couple of pelicans flew over our heads. At that moment the whole story of (the late) Mr Percival came back to me. Of course, Storm Boy was largely set in the Coorong.

Now that the Distric 73 Toastmasters Convention in Adelaide, is over, I will have the great pleasure of giving the VW its first workout into the Red Centre.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Lifey.

Pleased to hear that you and your new bus are on the road and things are going well.

I'm looking forward to following your journey in the 'world down under'. Don't park that big red van to near that big red rock, you may have trouble finding it again!

Safe travels.

Dave.

[Lifemagician]

Don't think it will get lost Dave. Right now I am toying with the idea of a speed run to Uluru vs. sightseeing along the way. I think the former will win, as I hear on the radio that it is raining, and water is cascading off the rock. A rare sight, and one I'd like to see.

But it's still two or three days away.

Lifey

[Lifemagician]

That is a great novel, set in WWII and subsequently made into a movie. The book was better!

Right now I am spending a couple of days in Alice Springs, a really lovely town.

The previous couple of days were spent at Uluru and Kata Tjuta. The weather was perfect. Driving on the road which encircles The Rock, I was amazed at how close I got in some places. Unfortunately I missed out on most of the wet. There were still a few trickles running down the sides, but not much to be spectacular. Folk who took the 12 (or so) km walk around the base told me it was quite wet.

Despite the fact that the indigenous people request that you respect their sacred places, and not climb The Rock, many people still insist on making that journey. It was interesting to see how so many freaked out before they were quarter the way up, and turned back. Of course, the way down is much more scary, and treacherous. No stairs, no assistance. Just a chain to hold onto on the steepest sections. And, I am told, the plagues to commemorate those who did not make it down alive.

We were fortunate to watch the sunset with an almost full moon, over Uluru. There are designated car parks for sunset viewing, where the places are taken up early and the best spots eagerly sought. Many friendships were made in the hours leading up to sundown. I had arrived more than two hours before, and ended up spending much of my time with Rosemary and Alfred, from England. They are sailing around the world, and travelling Australia while their yacht is being cared for in Malaysia.

On my way up the Stuart Hwy I stopped over in Coober Pedy. For the rest I decided that my sightseeing would be on the way home. Due to circumstances and time constraints, have now decided to make Alice Springs my end point, turn around and head home. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an alternate route. Only one road up here.

There's quite a bit to see around The Alice. Today (Sat) I spent in town and out to some nearby gaps in the ranges. There I saw my first ever ancient rock paintings. At Emily's Gap there was a wedding taking place in the great outdoors, under the ghost gums amongst the spinifex with the bright colours of the McDonnell ranges as their backdrop. A fantastic setting for a wedding. The strange contrast was that some of the males were wearing kilts, and the party was 'piped' in, and out of this beautiful nature park.

Tomorrow I plan to go to Hermannsburg. This is the place where the famous aboriginal artist, Albert Namitjira learned to paint, and where he spent most of his time painting. That was some eight or nine decades ago. Many of the Namitjira off spring also ended up as artists, and Oscar is now said to be more sought after than his father. I have always loved their paintings of the McDonnell Ranges and the ghost gums.

So much has happened, and so little chance to get on the internet. Incredible country. Spectacular scenery. Lovely people. What more would you want.

Lifey

[Lifemagician]

..... an extension power cord, fuel for the stove, pump for the air mattress, and on it goes.... all things I left behind. Had to go on a shopping spree.

Discovered early into the trip that I had also left my parking permit in my Subaru. Son was able to send that overnight to Adelaide.

But there is one thing I forgot, did not realise till I was almost in Coober Pedy, and can't afford to buy another - MY CAMERA! :(

I did throw in my old camera, just in case, but have not been able to get much in the way of good pictures. It also has a smudge on most pictures. I'm glad I have it. Furious that I left the good one behind.

To top all that, I am spending a few days in Alice Springs because the mechanic at the VW place in town wants to have another look at the van before I head back down south. He wants to see where and how bad the oil leak is.

Can't win 'em all.

Lifey

[Mark Sedenquist]

Bummer that your camera stayed home!

I visited the rock many years ago -- before there was much coverage about not taking the walk to the top. (Or I didn't hear of it). Yes, going down is much more tricky than walking up. Got to keep your wits about you!

Really enjoying this report -- brings back memories of my own trip.

Mark

[Lifemagician]

... before there was much coverage about not taking the walk to the top. (Or I didn't hear of it).

That may have been before the indigenous people were given back the whole area which is so significant to their culture. It would no doubt also have been before we got to know it by its ancient name of Uluru.

I don't recall when that was, but I guess it was sometime in the 80s. There is now also a very informative and interesting cultural centre, which tells the story from ancient times up to today. That would not have been there either. It is absolutely beautiful.

Lifey

Edit: Oooops! did I mention the speeding ticket?????

[Mark Sedenquist]

That may have been before the indigenous people were given back the whole area

Yes, it was about 30 years ago. I stayed at the nearby resort -- although it's ALOT more developed now than it was in the 1980's!

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Edit: Oooops! did I mention the speeding ticket?????

Oh my !! ;-) I hope it was because you decided to 'pop home' for the camera ! [Even though it's a 3 day drive] lol

I hope you have managed to get some images on your other camera to share.

Happy travels !

[Lifemagician]

Last thing I did before leaving Yulara, was to check the oil in the van engine. It had been losing oil. My mechanic at home had told me to check it daily.....

Two days earlier, 60kms north of Coober Pedy the oil light came on along with a piercing warning sound. It was then that I remembered what my mechanic had said. :( Gently I nursed it back to Coober Pedy the mechanic put a litre and a half of oil in the engine. He too told me to check it daily. This time I did!

That morning in Yulara I noticed the oil level lower than it should be. I went to buy some oil. I was sent to the local mechanic, who took one look at it, filled it with oil and told me to go see the mechanic at the VW dealer in Alice Springs. By now I was a little concerned.

It was in that state of mind, and already late with all the fussing around, that I headed out along the Lasseter Highway. Speed limit 110kmh. At Erldunda, the junction with the Stuart Highway, the speed limit drops to 80kmh. There were a few trucks stopped on that corner, along with several police cars. Police and truckies seemed to be everywhere. I looked around and wondered if I should be stopping.

It was now well into the afternoon. The only thing on my mind was to get to the VW dealer before 5pm. Still almost 200km away, and right at the northern end of town. Being a Friday, I did not want to wait till Monday before someone could look at it. It never occured to me to check what the speed limit was at that spot, on the Stuart. I just headed up north..... when a police car with lights flashing came from the opposite direction. 92 in an 80 zone.

The rest is history.

But it's not due to be paid until I am well and truly in the States. Like most bills, it will not be paid one day before it's due.

Oh! Horror! Drats!! Mark it up, it will be the last one I will ever have. Am not in the habit of making voluntary contributions out of my meagre income.

Good news is the oil leak was repaired on the Monday. Only a tiny dent in the budget.

Lifey