The Track.

The track completed. What a trip!! Compare that with our early plans .... and it's pretty close.

Sunday 17th September

We only just get home and Cathy's off again. This time it's a 4km run as part of the "Spring into Shape". David's home computer had a crash after processing 58 updates!!!

Saturday 16th September

After 163 days, 24,977 kilometres, 3953 litres of diesel, 317 VB cans and enormous amount of love and patience, there were only two survivors! David and Cathy arrived home to streamers, flowers and posters through the house. Phil was evicted shortly thereafter leaving his dirty dishes behind!!! Mother Mary couldn’t wait until we arrived for roast lamb tonight and called by for a big hug. And guess what ??? the MMM is officially ZERO!
Thanks to all who have read and made comments about the blog. Further thanks to all the wonderful people we met along the way who made our trip so special. We now have a couple of weeks before Cathy returns to work and we hope that David will find another job by then too (other than doing everything Cathy says!!!)

Approaching Home

Traffic, cloud, cold winds and the big city....

Friday 15th September

It took a day to catch up on all the news from Torquay and we enjoyed spending the time with Mum and Max. Lisa from Surfcoast Massage pummeled David back into shape after some recent back pain. A BBQ with all our friends from the Geelong Flight Centre rounded out a relaxing day.
MMM: 89.9km

Thursday 14th September

We awoke to the sounds of rain at Peterborough but it cleared quickly and we stopped to see several spots on the Great Ocean Road before morning tea in Blackwood Gully café at Lavers Hills. My knuckles were white as David rocked the cantilever at the Otway Fly. At least it didn’t rain in this rainforest today. The “rellie” tour began with a visit to David’s dad in Colac. He is getting back on his feet after a nasty fall in Port Macquarie in July. The day ended in Torquay where we will stay with David’s mum until we kick Phil out of our house!!!
MMM: 89.9km

Wednesday 13th September

Back onto Victorian soil for an excellent tour through the Princess Margaret Rose Caves. We passed many lush rolling hills on our way to the Great Ocean Road for the final leg of our trip. Tonight will be our last night in a caravan park as the family tour starts tomorrow!
MMM: 212.66km

Tuesday 12th September

Off to the Blue Lake via Beachport and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest windfarm. Cathy went off shopping and taking photos of various gardens. BBQ for dinner in our retreat.
MMM: See the photo

Monday 11th September

We spent the day supporting the local Robe economy courtesy of Visa. In the afternoon, David had a sleep whilst Cathy ran along the beach. All followed by a sensational dinner at the local Inn.
MMM: 479km

Sunday 10th September

Quiet Day, the wind had settled. A long walk along the beach then a swim in the indoor pool. Liz and Ross from Charnley Station popped by for Happy Hour drinks before a steak and salad for dinner.
MMM: 479km

Saturday 9th September

Slept in so we could read Saturday paper over breakfast (in breezy camp kitchen) then away to get bargains at Angaston Farmer’s Market. Very cold and windy at lunchtime so we paid for shelter and a toasted sandwich. Finally gave up and booked into a deluxe chalet at Robe Caravan Park (includes TV for David to watch footy finals).
MMM: 479km

STOP PRESS!!!! Tom gets his car licence.

Take care and watch for the smiling assasin - he has his licence to terrorise. Congratulations, Tom.

PS. I have NO money for a car :)
PPS. If he's as good as Erin, you'll all be quite safe.

Friday 8th September

Cathy went to flower heaven; that is, she took over 150 photos at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden in Port Augusta while David embarked on eating his way through the menu at the bush café. We pulled over by a creek for lunch only to discover we had stopped by a pig pen!! Luckily, the wind was blowing the other way so we enjoyed our sandwiches and coffee before heading on to Clare Valley to study the medicinal purposes of wine!! Don’t remembar anyfing elsey welsey…….
MMM: 668,173,216mm (+ or -)

Thursday 7th September

It was wonderful to see mountains again as we passed the Flinders Ranges (on the opposite side to the start of our trip). Cathy plotted out a course on the map to carefully avoid going to towns we’d been to before- an interesting station track through Simmonston (the town that never was) and past many other ruins. Luxury tonight as we have an ensuite site at Port Augusta.
MMM: 899km (under 1000km at last)

Wednesday 6th September

Wind. Strong gusty wind full of dust. It had kept David awake most of the night. We departed for the Oodnadatta track around our normal departure time. After crossing through the dog fence, we stopped at William Creek and then various abandoned railway sidings along the Old Ghan Railway. Cathy had a natural mineral spa with Louey (the fly) at Coward Springs. The lookout across Lake Eyre South was spectacular (but difficult to photograph in 60km/h winds). We finally stopped for the night at Marree.
MMM: 1122km

Tuesday 5th September

Tourist time in Coober Pedy. David and Cathy went to church (congregation underground). Onto the cemetery (residents underground). The working mine tour (opals underground). Lunch (above ground). “Crocodile Harry’s” and his collection of 1000 bras and knickers (down under ground). To the bookshop (books underground). David watered Coober Pedy’s first tree (made from truck parts – ran aground). And finally, back for coffee (beans ground). Dinner was ground steak with root vegetables.
MMM: 1376 km

Monday 4th September

Back onto gravel road into the painted Desert. We were surprised to find the desert was rocks rather than sand. Cathy reminded David that Troopys are not meant to fly as he tried to launch off a grid. Had just enough fuel to get into Coober Pedy.
MMM:1376 km

Sunday 3rd September – Fathers Day & Day 150 of our trip

Awoke early to sound of an annoying bird and cars heading off to watch sunrise. Another roadhouse crawl as we head into South Australia. Delicious emu sausages and chicken parmie at Cadney Homestead. Hawks triumphed over Cats again!!!
MMM: 1512 km

Saturday 2nd September

Watched sun rise over Rock. Walked around Rock. Watched another sunset over Rock. Leaving tomorrow (gotta improve the MMM).
MMM: No Change again

Hi to Mums and Dads

Happy Fathers Day for tomorrow.

Friday 1st September

Climbed the Rock. Looked at Wildflowers. Watched another sunset over Rock. Booked for another night near the Rock.

On Top of the Rock (World?)

Cathy showing off 17 years after her first climb (and she carried David up this time....what a DONKEY!!)