Mystery Meander

Cooked breakies all around this morning, as we were in no real rush.

Once packed up we once again tackled Big Red, with all eventually getting over the middle option, then over to re-inflate tyres before heading in to meet Col, Mary and the Boys.

Birdsville again saw fuelling up with diesel and lunch, which we took out to eat with the others at the Birdsville Jockey Club – an area where the jockeys hang out/sleep etc during the famous Birdsville races.

From Birdsville, we headed South along the Birdsville Track towards Marree, with our camping destination being Mungerannie. Last time we were heading north along the Track, it was wet and slippery and we only just made it to Mungerannie, today it is dry and dusty with temperatures hovering around the 40 degree mark. Got to feel for Mary, Phil, Kate and Lachlan who have been travelling without air conditioning, as it failed very early in the trip. Credit to them all though they have soldiered on with not a whimper…gutsy effort guys (not that there is a lot of choice)

Thought I’d take the opportunity, while Kerri drives and the track is not terribly intereting to introduce you to who is who on this trip. Basically we are a bunch of friends, family or workmates of someone on the trip. A lot of the connection is via Volleyball and Stef is a bit of lynchpin, as he is connected with others via work.

Starting from the back of the bunch currently:

Our tail end Charlie is Stef, Meg, Peyton and Milani, these guys are all in one vehicle and are a family. Dad, Mum and two daughters. These guys are driving a Landrover Discovery.

Second last today is us – Nicola and Kerri, Nicola plays volleyball with Stef, and Kerri is connected through her late husband, Steve, who worked with Stef and Col. We get around in the baby car of the bunch – Ska- a Suzuki Grand Vitara

Now behind us due to a call of nature are Steve, Reve and Sarah – again a family, Steve and Sarah are Father and Daughter and Reve is Steve’s Mum and Sarah’s Gram. Steve is the proud owner of a new Toyota Landcruiser.

In front of us now are Mary, Phil, Kate and Lachlan. Mary, Phil and Kate are a family – Mum, Dad and Daughter. Phil met Stef many years ago through volleyball. Phil, Mary and Kate all play volleyball, so there is a lot of connection there. Lachlan is a very good family friend who was keen to come camping. These guys are rolling along in a Toyota Prado.

Then there is John and Rohan, John is Nicola’s Dad, and Rohan is also connected via Volleyball and a long friendship with Stef. Mode of transport is John’s Toyota Hi-lux.

In second place currently is Col and Mary – they are husband and wife and are connected to Stef via work. Col and Mary are driving a Nissan and towing a Jayco camper this trip.

Way ahead, having broken away from the main convoy is Rod and Greg, these guys work with Stef/Col and are along for the trip this time. They are travelling in Greg’s Red Landcruiser.

So now the crew are introduced, there are only a few days left of this trip and plans are changing daily, after over night tonight a Mungerannie, I am not sure where we might next head, we can only be sure that it will be closer to home.

Rolled into Mungerannie, standing around waiting to sort ourselves out when someone noticed a hissing sound from my tyre…bugger another puncture. This is exactly what happened last time at Mungerannie. Luckily the roadhouse has tyre fixing facilities, and after finally getting the attention of the owner who was working behind the bar serving some folk, he said he would fix the puncture, while talking with him I figured his bar work included one for him everytime he served someone else, so he was rather ‘under the weather’. I enquired again about 10 minutes later and he said he would be out the back where I put my car in a couple of minutes. This time true to his word he came out and started fixing it. It turned out that someone had put a tube in my tubeless tyre. This bearded, barefooted country mechanic was not happy. So he put in a valve and patched the puncture (a screw had just poked through the tyre) all for 25 dollars, which is cheaper than home, where one of the places I have been for a slow leak had put a tube in instead of finding the leak. Not happy. He told me I should take the tube and $#%%# stick up someone’s $#$%^# arse.

A quick trip back to camp and we had a spot mapped out for us, all raked and ready, thanks Dad. Then a quick dip in the ‘pool’ before heading back to the hotel for tea.

While we were all in the bar variously ordering our meal, drinking and waiting to be called for tea, the big bearded wooly bloke asked Peyton how old she was, we all thought he was going to refuse her a drink, when she replied 20, he grabbed her and took her behind the bar, gave a bit of a rundown on the til and left her to serve us all, while he went to the kitchen to help his Mrs cook our dinner. Poor Pey was a bit shocked to start with, but did a very good job and would make a good barmaid we all reckon. Once our teas were ready we were called to the dining room. Pey was given a drink for her trouble (she only drank half) and was called to the table when hers was ready. Thanks to Pey I think we got our tea way earlier than might have otherwise been the case. Good meals all round and reasonably priced too, especially for the middle of nowhere.

Later back at camp the bloke came over with the other half of the bottle and a block of chocolate and offered her a job next season. Somehow I don’t think that’s an offer Pey will be taking up.

Early night to bed, only to be woken by rain at about 1.30 – up to shut windows and bring in the chairs.

The Crescent moon over Big Red.

Big Red - Hard track to the left, easier to the right.

The one at left top with some wheel tracks was the steep one we got up yesterday.

one of the dunes in the Simpson. We drove over a few, so we could say we did some Simpson

We've all got that look, waiting for something to happen. Just on a dune checking the surroundings in the Simpson on this occasion.

Some animal prints - possibly a lizard.

One of the few flowers we saw. This was the softest most delicate flower, surviving in harsh desert conditions.

and again.

Driving across the Simpson!

Change of seats.

Ro driving over Big Red.

There we all are lined up on Big Red. Mary has the official group shot

Heading back south, down into South Australia again...

...along the Birdsville Track

This was a mirage, but it looks all the world like a lake with red cliffs.

Sunset over the wetlands at Mungerannie.

and again

oops! and again.

The artesian water pool at Mungerannie, I think that's Kerri and Dad and Phil NOT about to dive in.

Peyton got a job serving the bar at the Mungerannie Hotel, there was us and few other people in the bar at the time.

Here we all are having a pre-dinner drink and chat waiting to be called when meals are ready.

Not a great shot, but that is Peyton with the owner - a bushy bearded bloke, the same one who had earlier fixed my tyre.

Awoke again to a brilliant sunrise, with pink and purple hues preceeding the sun peeking over the “jump ups” or mesas in the distance.

Not much to do this morning other than pack up. Last night saw further repairs to Greg’s cracked and leaky fuel tank, which required drills and other things. Steve also had issues with his tyre carrier, which has a cracked part, we tried to repair it with a tie down, but this was a pain, given he had to open it to get in and out to food and drink. So this morning the tyre came off and went up onto the roof rack out of harms way.

The trip from our camp to Birdsville was reasonably straight forward, with one really nice lookout and toilet stop and an interesting Rainbow Serpent created from rocks on a hillside.

The plan was to get to Birdsville to wash clothes and bodies, fuel up and get water then head out to Big Red.

Unfortunately along the way Col and Mary had a flat and have an issue with one of the camper tyres also, so some of us continued to Birdsville to get a start on washing and showers.

Several hours later, we departed Birdsville, with a Bakery pie under our belts, ready to face another couple of days in the desert.

We are yet to have our roast…not sure what tonight will bring. Plans are a little changeable at the moment, think we will sort out further tonight.

Out to Big Red via the road along the dune on the Birdsville side. When we did our Simpson trip in 2011 this road was closed, as there were floods. We drove alongside the edge of what was then a lake, to the base of Big Red to let air out of the tyres and head up to the top.

Once we were all up, there was a fair bit of play to be had. Col had his Hanglider and was prepared to have a go at launching off Big Red. There were several other vehicles and people on top as well who we reckon were pretty curious and keen to see a hanglider off the top of the dune. The set up of the glider takes a while, so while this was happening, several people headed down the other side to attempt the challenge of driving up the harder tracks. Lots of missed attempts, but success for nearly everyone on the hardest track and for those who missed that they achieved the slightly less steep option. Lots of fun and time definitely got away from us. Col eventually set sail and flew down off the dune to the flats below. There was not enough wind to get a really good lift and flight, but it was pretty amazing to see someone hanglide off Big Red. With still more to try the steeper tracks, time continued to slip away, we saw the sunset from Big Red and finally drove back down to find a campsite…in the dark. There was nothing really suitable on the Birdsville side, so we eventually split up with Col, Mary, Rod and Greg staying on that side and the rest of us heading over the dune to camp on a claypan at the base of Big Red.

It was late and dark to set up camp, but between us we through together some quick tea and ate a reasonable hour, with time for some drinks and chocolate after the dishes.

Mary M and myself attempted to photograph some star trails, as once again the sky was a clear as a bell and the stars were everywhere. Not a great success for me at least, but fun trying. Another reasonably late night to bed.

Also today Col took his punctured tyres to the roadhouse, but given it was Sunday, he needs to return to Birdsville tomorrow to sort it out.

Sunrise over Ska and the camp on Haddon Corner road.

Sunrise over the hills (Mesas)

and turning purple a bit later

A hawk

From the lookout looking towards Innamincka. That's the road in the middle

and again, liked the clouds here

a rainbow serpent created along the side of a hill, with different coloured rock I think. Out in the middle of nowhere.

Starting the windsurfer set up on top of Big Red. Overlooking what was a huge body of water the last time we were here.

Sarah tackling Big Red.

Looking out over the lake that used to be. We drove along the dune this time, last time, it was all under water, so you could only go up and down on one side, this time we could drive up and over.

The Willshire-Morgan-Viney's making it up onto Big Red. I won't say this was not the first attempt!

Some of our gang watching as others attempt the steep track up the back side of Big Red

No cigar this time Greg.

The Kids found a toboggan, not much success but they had fun trying

The preparations continue. Meg, Mary and Col

Looking out from Big Red to the Simpson Desert.

Steve backing down, and NOT keeping his wheels straight.

One of the other people there had this little Jack Russell, he too was watching all the goings on as cars attempted the steep option.

Wheels are spitting sand again Steve.

Meg and Mary - still setting up I think

Stef is spitting sand too.

We were up on Big Red for Sunset, Stef did make it over.

Getting closer now, time for some helpers to get the kite to the edge, with Col connected by his harness. Phil, Rod and Greg in charge of nose and wing wires.