Mystery Meander : Day 4 September 24– Broken Hill to a dry creek bed somewhere between Milparinka and Depot Glen.

Today brings our first change of plan and deviation from the itinerary (not an uncommon occurrence for us when travelling out here)

Let me back track. After most of us gathering at Meg and Stefs camp area last night, a meeting was ‘convened’ to discuss a possible ‘alternative’ option to the plan. Robyne and Mark joined us for a drink and can attest to the fact that not much meeting or decision making takes place in a hurry. There was lots of discussion, both on topic and off. Anyway we finally decided to ditch the plan to travel ‘off road’ overnight to Tibooburra, instead heading up the blacktop – Silver City Highway towards Tibooburra via Milparinka etc.

With everyone pretty much fed, watered, packed up and ready to go by 9.00ish, we variously headed of for fuel, bread, shopping, medications, after which we determined to meet at the Living Desert Sculptures that we had missed the night before. That done, it was back via Broken Hill to head northish towards Tibooburra. We were fortunate to have ALL of heading off, as Greg’s car was having some problems – he had a leaky seam in his diesel fuel tank and was losing fuel. After some self repairs yesterday, it seemed that the tank was holding fuel today and they would join us.

The road was initially a great bitumen one, with not a lot to see along the way, other than lots of roadkill, the kangaroos haven’t fared too well on this stretch, we also saw dead pigs, eagles, sheep and goats. After the great bitumen start, the road then became a bit patchy before turning to gravel and alternating for the next 200 or so kilometres between bitumen and gravel or sandy surface. It was good road and we made good time, incorporating several driver changes and wee stops that resulted in many changes to convoy order. Peyton drove today as one of the newest driver change options.

A quick stop at Packsaddle Roadhouse – beers, wee stops, and lollies for some, then off down to the dry creek to find a shady spot for lunch- tuna and salad sangas for us, followed by cuppas and delicious home made choc chip biccies, care of Aunty Cherry. They were scrumptious and a tad too more-ish.

After lunch we continued on along the patchwork road towards Tibooburra, we stopped into Milparinka – pretty much a ghost town associated with the exploration of Sturt and Stuart and later a short-lived goldrush. There were a couple volunteering at the information centre, who had two little white fluffy dogs who proved a hit with the kids and some adults. We wandered around the ruins and had a squiz.

From Milparinka we went to Depot Glen, in the hope of a nice campsite beside some waterholes. A detour on the way took us to the gravesite of Poole – who was the only expedition member that Sturt lost from his group. They were holed up nearby at the only remaining waterholes during a drought period and were stuck here for 6 months, after which poor old Poole died suffering scurvy and unable to be treated. Sturt and his men were pretty cut up by the loss of Poole.

Depot Glen wasn’t suitable so we checked a couple of possible options, before settling on the second under gums beside a dry creek bed. We lit the fire in the creek bed and gathered around there later after tea when things were not quite so hot.

It was a hot day today around 36, so upon arrival we gathered wood, set up camps and then congregated for some cool drinks and nibblies, eventually having to organise ourselves to cook tea and clean up a bit. Tea consisted of Spag Bol for a couple of groups, butter chicken, chilli con carne and I’m not sure what the boys and Col and Mary ate.

After dishes and clean-up we headed down to the fire, kids cooked marshmallows and as the fire died down we all marvelled at the amazing night sky. Not a cloud to be seen and the most amazing black sky littered with stars, we could see the Milky Way and saw several shooting stars.

There were the obligatory attempts at getting popper drink bottles and UHT cartons to ‘explode’ in the fire, along with chocolate for dessert.

Not sure what we will see tomorrow or where we might end up as we head on towards Tibooburra and Cameron’s Corner, there has been talk of Fort Gray and other things I can’t recall. We will see how we go.