BIG RED AND THE TRACK

We enjoyed a couple of days in Birdsville, checking out all the many sights...haha....The bakery had just closed down for the summer and reopens in April 2013! And we took the Grand Tour around the other half dozen buildings in town.....
The local garage was good for a laugh though...as well as a sign for "Mechanics wanted!  For an hour, A Week or Forever!!!  This sign also took my eye.

We also checked out the Birdsville Hotel (of course ) and were quite suprised to see amongst the miriad of hats left behind was one from an old friend....

The picture did cost us $1 donation to the RFDS but we were happy to pay up.  In fact there is a sign in the bar that all mobile phone usage in the bar is banned - anyone caught will be fined $1 for the RFDS - no exceptions.  While we were there the barmaid caught a few and as we left the RFDS was another $4 better offf.  A great idea I reckon.
Our next big mission was to head out to Big Red - A sandune out on the way to the Simpson Desert.  Dave had read about it and decided we needed to go check it out.  So off we headed.  And of course when we got there - another sign!

First we had to traverse Little Red....

.Looks pretty straight forward, but first had to wait for another car crossing from the other side.
Then it was along the sandy trail to Big Red.

Then it was up and up and up........

and this is what we were amazed to find when we got to the top!!!!

It was incredible......out here in the desert - to find a vast lake, full of birdlife...... so alive.  The water was pretty good as well.   Aparently it does not happen often so we were privileged to be able to have this experience.
All too soon it was time to head back over Big Red.

As we headed back to Birdsville, we passed the track heading off into the Simpson Desert.......maybe next time........

We were ready now to head down the Birdsville Track to South Australia and see what we could discover there.

Wasn't hard to find and can guess which way we are going---------pretty much straight ahead.................

Along the way the signs are pretty typical of the pace of life out here.  Nothing is for sure, and do details really make a difference.  For instance, why would you need the exact distance when you have this to indicate.......

Not that it matters a lot when it's closed until April 2013.............

Or better still this one............

But one thing that was definately apparent was the Desert!!!   And the vastness and lack of vegetation..

And for some reason the sky just seems just so much bigger out here!!!!!!!

No wait - - - -  I lie - - - - - there is life after all......

Or was it a mirage????  Better still was this - most welcome in the 42' heat.......

Ummmm   might just be a while...........

BIRDSVILLE

Back on the road again - this sign was the first good omen - The road to Birdsville was open!!!!

And now we don't have to just watch out for Roos and Emus - now we have to deal with Cows and Sheep!!!

Butat least we should be able to see them as there is are not too many places for them to hide!!!

We soon came across our first sand dune of the desert- and I guess someone just couldn't resist - looks like they had fun!!!

And way out in the middle of nowhere was this sign....

Apparently these wells are scattered all around out here and according to the information we read they have been used by the aboriginals for hundreds of years. This looked dry, but apparently there is water there!

Unfortunately there was a sad theme that was often repeated along the road, luckily we were not responsible for any of these, but they are a way of life out here ....

As we turned off the main highway towards Birdsville we noticed a sign to Deon's lookout - a nice spot dedicated to a young local.

The view was pretty good as well. Miles and miles of Desert!!!

There was a shelter shed up here and everyone leaves their marker on it - so we thought wehad better do the same and also add a little colour.

Not too far from this lookout I noticed something on the side of a hill - no warning - no signs - it was simply there and pretty incredible........the rainbow serpent I am guessing and it was beautiful - - 

We were travelling through what is called channel country - in the wet this whole country can be under water - whatI wouldn't give to be able to fly over when that happens.  These are all flood plains..

But if it ever gets to the top of this marker - I wouldn't like to get caught in it.....

Most of the road into Birdsville was dirt, but we did come across a patch of bitumen but there was a reason for this.....

This was the runway..

Finally we were getting close - the first hint was the appearance of a horse racing track appearing in the middle of nowhere - unfortunately 'the race' was in September so it was a little quiet!

And so we entered the town proper...

On the banks of the Diamentina river...

And this is where we set up camp - on the banks of the Diamentina- even put up the roof of the annexe for a bit of shade!!!  Did not realise how big it is-  but the shade was very welcome!

And as we settled down with a nice cold Beer in the 43' heat at the end of the day, it was hard to take the view.

Tomorrow, we take on Little Red and Big Red and then onto 'THE TRACK' and more adventures.......

A NEW ADVENTURE

WELL - I did say on the last blog that there was a surprise coming......

And it surprised us when we were able to fit the bikes into those little bike boxes for the flight!!!!

But as usual Dave was successful and the bikes and all our luggage was successfully transported .......to.......

HELLO GRANDPA!!!!
Yes - back in Australia.   After nearly 5 months and 5,000 klms cycled we were starting to get system overload on Castles, Culture, and Cultivation.  And the arrival of that little man above was also a big draw card back. So we made the decision to return.  But we have enjoyed every minute of our adventure so far - even looking back on all the horrible weather in the UK, and will definitely travel this way again in cycle friendly countries. Already planning for future trips!

BUT!!!!!

We still have quite a few months until Dave has to go back to work - so WHAT TO DO??????

Well there is a big country here that we have only seen a very small part of so let's go see Australia!!!!

Joey is there leading the way as usual, but as you can see he is not sitting on a bicycle!
Australia is not set up for cycle touring like Europe and we intend to travel a lot of territory so its 4WD and camper trailer for us this trip.  Will feel like luxury compared to the tent!!
Heading towards the outback we came across this beautiful Jacaranda tree...

And as nature called we found this rather sophisticated 'Outback Dunny'   Pumping water to flush from the creek nearby.  After I chased the frog out that was sleeping on the underside of the seat it was fine - -

We set up our first camp at Neil Turner Weir just West of Mitchell.  We will be free camping wherever possible and are lucky that there are so many places wdhere this is possible here.  It was pretty warm round 38'C and the nights although a little cooler were still warm.

This camp was beside the Neil Turner Weir and we took a drive down to see the weir in action..

Right outside our campsite was a great spot for relaxing and taking a swim in the cool water!

Later that afternoon Dave said that we had better start cooking dinner as there was a storm a brewin!  You can see what he meant!!

Soon back on the road again and ever westwards....  Becoming hotter and dryer with every kilometre, we were eventually arriving in Charleyville.

While we were stopped  here for a 'cuppa' I decided to explore down by the river and found what I thought was a partner to the Grandpa Chair that I photographed Dave in back in Europe.......but don't think this one was meant for sitting in.  It was pretty interesting though.

 I love to read signs as they can be interesting / amusing or downright funny.  But this one has to be a first...

 It may not be as pretty as some of our cycle paths or as shaded but our 'new office' has a captivating presence and harsh beauty all its own!

We do have to share our office at times and these guys although pretty incredible to watch, have to be the dumbest creatures around and you can never guess which way they will go - just prepare for whatever...

  I love some of the place names here, and this creek was a good one.

We pulled up for a look but don't think we will be taking a swim anytime soon - This was my view...

and this was Dave's view

But we later stopped at the Bulloo River and that was a different story altogether.    Although it was the colour of mud, it definitely was water!!!!

We camped one night by Cooper Creek and the ledgend behind the name was pretty interesting -

Dave went to checkout the water after we set up camp.

In 'The Wet' this waterway can cover thousands of kilometres of land, but even in 'the Dry'  it is not a bad size for 'a creek'.

We could see something in the distance and could not quite work out what it was at first.....a bit science fictionish???  Then as we got closer it became clear...

But why so many?  and what are they for????
Oh OK this explains it all!

It's great - always something new to discover, something interesting to see, something new to learn!
And this  next sign was something we needed to know - don't want to run out!!!

So its on to our next destination.......as we saw on this sign......Onwards to BIRDSVILLE!

catch you soon!!