The Hunt for Red (hot)(dirt)(centre) October

 

(A Von Blog).  Gosh, it's been a while! I have been giving this blog some thought during our massive driving days and, of course, before we/I know it we are back in NSW.  Where did October go to? Why the big break between blogs?

It was hot, damn hot, up north.  So hot in fact that even raising a hand to type one solitary letter would be a movement too much...  

Yes, that really does say 47 degrees...

I have been reflecting on how many fantastic people we have met during our travels. Some we have got to know better (mainly via Facebook!) and some have just been fleeting conversations in rest areas, car parks, van stops, caravan sites and everywhere in between.  

"I'm Paul and this is Linda, as in McCartney, or Hogan" is what prompted my thoughts. I am pretty sure that wasn't the first time Paul had used the McCartney/Hogan line (and wouldn't be his last) but as we stood out under the hot sun at the Bon Bon Rest Area and compared where we had been and where we were headed it struck me that, ordinarily, we would have absolutely no reason to chat to Paul, or Linda, and that, on first look, probably had very little in common.  Although his natty phone holder attached to his belt would have caused me to form an opinion about Paul - belt crime is a thing. During our ten minute conversation they revealed cancer diagnosis (and recovery), locations of far flung children and grandchildren and their devoted love for them and analysis of roof top camping versus piggy back campers.  It's amazing the range of subjects which can be covered even when it is 38 deg C!

A rest area photo; would you strike up a conversation with this person?

Or Charlotte and Tom, a young couple from Manchester, who we got chatting to in the bath like swimming pool in Darwin (because of the temperature not the size of the pool).  They have been travelling in Australia during COVID and have made use of the working visa scheme to stay in the country legally.  To be honest they both looked about twelve and I am not sure they should have been out on their own but they were so enthusiastic about what they were doing and what they had seen.  It was a lovely chat and so, when we bumped into them at the base of Kata Tjuta, it was like we were long lost friends. We compared routes and campsites and the weather (well, we were all British and we'd be arrested if we didn't talk about the environmentals) and, again, found something in common with youngsters whose parents were probably younger than us (!). 

Most of the time we don't take photos or share contact details or even swap names, and are just left with the warm feeling after making a connection with another human being.  During covid lockdowns I think most of us would recognise how much joy we can get just from a quick chat.  And, much of the time, covid features in those quick chats. We are part of quite a large travelling fraternity and so border closures, border passes, state laws and community hotspots feature heavily in discussion. Thankfully most travellers understand the need for vaccination so we have not had any difficult conversations - or perhaps those types of people would not speak to us in the first place?!

We have no 'chatting' photos but our rear fly screen set up often leads to such chats!

After leaving Alice Springs we stayed for a night at the Curtin Springs Roadhouse where we got chatting to June. June is a Kiwi, from Dunedin, and so we had a good chat about the pluses and minuses of Australia and New Zealand. She told us about her time working in the mines and the difficulty of having a son living in Perth and a daughter in Brisbane and the added complexity of grandchildren and her admitting that she didn't much like children. (!).  Thankfully, she did like dogs and so, as she was also headed for Uluru, offered to dog sit Dennis. As is often the case with serendipity, when she rocked up at the Yulara camp ground she'd been given a site right next to ours. Dennis was more than happy to laze by her van for the day as we headed to see various sacred rocks.  

Sightseeing without Dennis was a little odd to be honest!

As you might have gleaned by now, we have covered considerable distance since our Kimberley blog. Having achieved our second Pfizer jab in Kununurra we departed Western Australia and entered the Northern Territory.  We spent three and a half months in WA and barely scratched at the surface of what the state has to offer.  I think we may always wish we had gone to Karijini National Park but, as we keep saying, it is what it is and perhaps we will get the opportunity down the track.  

The Northern Territory saw the temperature gauge going ever higher and the humidity rising in parallel.  In fact, by the time we got to Darwin we knew we had to do something to keep us all sane so we booked into a dog friendly motel and had 3 blissful nights in air conditioning.  

The Big D making the most of the furniture and the air conditioning...

Of course, this might have made it feel worse once we got back in the van and spent another 5 nights in the city!  No matter, it was great to catch up with Sam Webster and share our adventures with someone else for a change.  Judicious use of Doggy Daycare and Sam's hire car also meant we got to see Litchfield National Park where the pools and waterfalls were something to behold.

Shazza not driving for a change...

From Darwin we hightailed it south in a vain attempt to get cooler nights. Initially successful but we were soon resorting to covering Dennis with a wet towel and ourselves with damp shrouds!

Dennis and his wet towel

However, seeing the West MacDonnell Ranges made it worthwhile.  

Ellery Creek, one of a few pools we got to swim in - no croc's either!

In writing this I have just realised how much we have done since our last blog! Between here (Cobar, NSW) and the Alice were Uluru, Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, our sojourn with the Van Dykes group at Hummocks Station near Snowtown, another couple of nights with Les (sans Julie) in Adelaide, the Murray and then to Broken Hill.  Blimey!

Coober Pedy was fascinating.  A huge opal mining area much of the town's activity is underground including living.  We felt it was too good an opportunity to pass up so booked ourselves into an underground motel for the night. An extraordinary experience, it was a lot like being inside a warship but with less pipes (liquid carrying and voice) and a bit of comfort too. I can't say it's somewhere I would want to live and tip my hat to those who do especially those who have hand hewn the rock to build their abode.

Like the inside of a warship but different...

We left Coober Pedy to get to our appointment with the Van Dykes. This group of fabulous women has grown from a Facebook page sharing camping tips to regular get togethers for those living in South Australia.  Back in April we met with a few of them in Moonta so it was great to see some faces again and catch up in person with those who had since become Facebook friends. There was singing, eating, dancing, drinking and general hilarity and it felt lovely to be part of the group even though we are (literally) 'blow ins' who will soon be disappearing back to NZ. 

Utterly failed to get a group shot or decent photos of the singing, eating, dancing or drinking...!

Again, meeting up with Sam, getting to the Van Dykes weekend and catching up with Les in Adelaide and all the Facebook comments we receive; they all make me reflect on the importance of friendship and connection - whether with old or new friends.  Sharon and I really are blessed with regards the people we have connected with during our trip and will forever feature as one of the significant highlights. 

Until next time. Kia harikoa!