great news von, unfortunately the weather is against you, it is a bit on the warm side, 34 under our back verandah at the moment, we went through morgan a couple of weeks ago on our way to waikerie and were really surprised at how the lush lawns down by the water have began showing signs of stress, the last time we were there it was a fantastic green oasis. are you down by the creek at rawnsley, if so you could have a little drinkypoos with your feet in the water down by the floodway, under the big old gums, there is normally always water in there, the owners are great people and you could take your drink over to the swimming pool to the left of the kiosk. anyway look forward to your photos, and try to stay cool, theres a great little free camp just back from the entrance to the national park on your left

you should have crossed the creek on the way in, over the floodway, dont tell me it's dry, oh and I'm sitting here in the truck waiting to get filled with grain by the boss in the harvester so I got no where to go till she's full, so on the net I stay, boring!!! but isnt all work!!!

thats the way von, a couple glasses of mothers little helper is exactly what is called for, shame about the creek, it was always a godsend, the wilpena creek at the wilpena pound caravan park will still be running it is fed by a spring and it is always cool under the gum trees, great spot in the summer, just ask the kangaroos, I use the bosses laptop in the kenworth that he uses to keep track of grain prices it connects to the internet through the harvesters gps system somehow, dont ask me how but it does and I for one am gratefull, we take in turns between the harvester and the semi tipper hauling wheat in to pirie silos so as to not get too bored going round!!! and round!!!! and round!!!!! and round!!!!!!

Dave now I know why you love to head for the horizon. That job sounds like a doozy. Hi Frank. Thanks for the good wishes. Cheers.

You're an inspiration Von! Hope to catch up with you real soon!
Keep posting, as I will be doing the same run when I head off. I'm picking up on all the places to visit and park.
Tks
Cheers, Dianne

Lovely to hear all your responses. Graham, I know the type of contraption you describe. Brilliant. Dave, I'm glad you can see the horizon and the sky and you know you'll be out on the road again one day. Bubs, I'll keep including info on places to stay. Being a female alone like me, you probably would prefer/enjoy the places I stay at. Comfortable, good company and friendly people.

Today I took a day trip with a friend who is also camping here and travelling solo. We drove up through Brachina Gorge and Parachilna Gorge and the Great Wall of China and tiny historic towns and - I ran out of oooohs and aaaahs about a quarter of the way round. Stopped at Parachilna but didn't sample the feral food they are famous for. Got there after lunch and too early for dinner!! The gums, my god, the gum trees are spectacular. They are awesome, beautiful and I get high just looking at them. Saw Cazneaux's Tree - the one he based his photo on. He called his photo "the Spirit of Endurance" and with the Flinders Ranges as a backdrop it is absolutely iconic! Jeez. I think you all get the picture. I'm in artist/photographer/nature lover/s heaven.
Cheers. V.

Not a single yellow foot in sight but plenty of other kangaroos and emus. Much bird life including wedge tail eagles dining on a dead kangaroo with crows for dinner mates. Yes, Dave, I see why you love it. Great place. Yes I also saw the campsites all along the way. Beautiful spots.

Had a great time in the Flinders Ranges. Am now heading south. If you go that way, watch out for the stumpy tail lizards. They step boldly onto the bitumen and at the mind boggling speed of a tortoise struggle across the road. At that pace, at least you can straddle them.

Hey Dave, I followed a lot of the tracks you spelt out for me. Checked out the Goyder Line Memorial. Had read about Goyder years ago. He was pretty cluey. Spent a night at Wilmington and checked out Alligator Gorge. Beautiful but the ants my god, the ants. Walking along a track and suddenly my feet and legs are covered with insects that give new meaning to the words ankle biters. You could run flat out along that track and theyd still leap on and bite. I know cause I tried.

Beautiful little towns all the way through here and yes, I stopped at the Old Bakery in Stone Hut for coffee and pastry. Bought a couple of the local wines too. Im currently camped in Mount Barker just south of Hahndorf. Will do a day trip or two into Hahndorf but its so crowded there, I gave it a miss for camping.

The caravan park in Mount Barker is pretty good. And the manager Hugh is a gem. I arrived round 4 p.m. after driving 350 km at a very leisurely pace. Looking forward to the glass of sparkling and the feet up. Got out the jockey wheel to set up the van and the handle that screws the bracket that holds the jockey wheel snapped. Short of jacking the van up, I had to leave it attached to the car and look for a replacement. Went back to the caravan office to ask about a supplier in town and Hugh (who was due somewhere else in five minutes) checked if he had a bolt that would fit but he didnt so he drove me to the Repco shop in town where I bought a new bracket. Im glad this didnt happen in a bush camp. Anyway, I have now bolted the new bracket on, set up the jockey wheel and the van and am once more at home in my little van. Also have the feet up and the glass of sparkling by my side.

By the way, Ive called my van Matilda's Tardis. Anyone familiar with Dr Who will understand. Its bigger on the inside than it is on the outside and it takes me through time and space. Unlike Dr Who, I usually get where I intend to go.

Well, Ive carried on a bit here but I thought some of you might enjoy hearing from me.
Cheers. V.

-- Edited by waltzing matilda at 19:42, 2008-11-03