Alice Springs- Coober Pedy

Despite having a great time staying with Sandra and Leon, it's time to move on. I have three days to get to Hamilton in Victoria. I was up nice and early, but somewhere along the way, (probably when Gaye gave me a massage before I left) I managed to get behind schedule. I stopped and got vegies for tea, and some fruit, then went to see Sandra on my way out of town. I ended up buying one of Lances other drawings. I think I actually like this one better than the one I was originally going to buy anyway. I'm definitely going to miss Sandra.
The scenery driving out of Alice is beautiful. There is a big gully you have to drive through to go south, with the river (dry river bed mostly) beside the road. It's quite beautiful. I know I've said it many times before, but the changing landscape really does amaze me. This trip has felt big, but not unmanageable. Yet as I was driving along, I realised so many of you reading this will never get to see what I am seeing. I was talking to Mum last night. She told me how Ellie had told our eldest cousin Tameika about my trip. Tameika said she was glad no one told her before, because she would have spent the whole time worrying, and that she could never do it. This is the same woman who took herself off to Canada by herself. It's funny how we all find different things so challenging. Mum said to me a while ago that there are a lot of people who never travel like us. I mean we did it years ago, so I didn't ever consider it to be that strange, but of all my friends, I can only think of two who have come close. Kate spent a year on a bus with her family, and I know Kara spent a few months up this way (my brain is still in NT) about the time I met her, but I don't know that any of my other friends have done it.

I got a bit excited when I found a heap of camels beside the road and stopped to take a picture. Then I realised my wild camels were actually part of a camel farm, at Stuarts Well. Oh well, I have the picture already, I may as well include it!

'wild' camels

I did however see something really coo, and just before Erldunda, the turn off to Ularu. If you haven't seen 8 Seconds, that is your homework today, but there is a song on it called Lanes Theme. It's an instrumental, and a beautiful piece of music. Just as it came on my ipod, I saw an eagle beside the road. Then I realised there was more than one. Six in fact! I have never seen so many eagles in one place, and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I stopped the car and just sat there watching, trying to take photos, with the perfect song in the back ground. I drove away as it ended, truly thankful for the experience. I was blown away. I'm still struggling to find the words. Magical. Breath taking. Awe inspiring.

I stopped in a Erldunda for lunch. It was actually pretty good value which surprised me. Their chips are awesome. I continued on to the border. When we came through, we all climbed on top of the 'welcome to SA/NT' sign, but today I just took a photo.

SA/NT border

You know how I said I stopped for supplies before Alice? Well I had to cross a quarantine border today, didn't I! I was not impressed! If it wasn't for the fact that I am constantly complaining about people not looking after our farmers, I would have just kept driving, but I did the right thing and stopped. The roadhouse got ten bucks from in in replacement vegies. They could make a killing there! I did find it a bit frustrating the amount of food being wasted though. surely they could have some sort of trade off scheme or something. I was just laying all over the ground near the quarantine bin.
Driving through Cadney, I saw a great sign. Stop and eat or we'll both starve. Made me giggle, but I didn't stop, I was already a couple of hours later than I wanted to be. Someone out here has been having fun. All the road sighs warning drivers of camels, cows etc have had riders added on them.
I am somewhat concerned about the amount of dead cars beside the road. And almost all burnt out. I don't know if its that they have a particularly high crash rate, or just that no one can be bothered to collect the remains, but it is quite scary. Kept me focused. Maybe that's why they are still there, to keep the drivers terrified/alert.
I made it to Coober Pedy about ten minutes before sunset. For about 30km coming into the town, there are hundreds of dirt piles beside the road where all the opal mines are. it's quite spectacular to see.

Opal fields

I had a drive around the town trying to find the campsite we stayed at last time. The whole thing is under ground, you camp in little caves! Dad left his coffee peculator there last time, but I couldn't find the camp ground, so it looks lie its lost forever. I ended up at Stuart caravan park, which was pretty good. They have pretty good wheelchair facilities and good hot showers. I suspect I made a few enemies cooking tea though. They have a kitchen you can use, so I went to cook my tea. I did have the range hood on, but apparently that wasn't enough, because the smoke alarm was soon blaring. And it was not going to shut up. After about 20 minutes, someone got sick off it and stacked a chair on the table and climbed up to turn it off. Whoops!
After tea I gave Sandra a quick call to let her know I arrived ok, then Mum for the same. Except Mum and I are never quick on the hone.
So much for my early night...
Distance travelled: 700km
Time driving: 7hours
Total distance: 10,300km