002 - Lascelles to Whyalla

“Are we near Ballarat now?”

As we rounded Port Augusta, some 26hrs after we passed Ballarat, James proceeded to make B and I just crack up with laughter. This was after he tried to guess “Saturn” in eye-spy. I queried him on that…

“Where did you get Saturn from James?”

“It’s from Space”

Touche’ Bob… Touche.

With material like this, the 780 odd kilometres we did today seemed so much easier and manageable. Whilst we won’t pull too many days like today, it’s nice to know that we can if the need arises.

To be fair it was a bit of a slog for the car and myself from Lascelles to Whyalla today. We wanted to get here, but around lunch time we weren’t sure. But the kids (along with the first ever use of a tablet with a movie) were awesome and we could keep trucking along.

This is essentially the extent of Lascelles in a photo, and I reckon it epitomises most of the small country towns in these parts. A pub adjacent to the industry that built the town.

Howling side and head winds, as well as steady climb made the acceptable fuel consumption of yesterday a complete thing of the past. I think the middle stint average 24L/100km... that’s an unimpressive 11.7 miles to the gallon for our UK readers. But we aren’t travelling light or small. I think the van weighs in just short of 2.8t and the car is around the 3t mark. So I’m quite proud of the Rock Truck today. Probably it’s hardest day of work yet, and I can almost hear it outside the van now snoring, dreaming of downhill tailwind runs.

But despite the conditions the day was without hassle all things considered.

Leaving Lascelles around 8am, we were on our way. A fuel stop at Ouyen, and off we went to Red Cliffs to say hi to Big Lizzie before heading due West. A run across the Mallee Badlands saw us relate to the view that met Armstrong and Aldrin when they first left the lunar module. Even Evie I think was struggle to find redeeming features.

Still our invented game of Car Cricket kept everyone engages, happy and sub-conciously ticking off maths homework as we went. Throw in a word game (most words found in “remarkable”) and I reckon Sam and Evie have English covered too.

Stopping at the strict border checkpoint where all kinds of fruit were confiscated, to the point where the both the fridge in the car and the van were searched. Man, Donald Trump wishes he could get these guys, could then save money on “The Wall”.

Through Renmark with a quick grocery and fuel stop, we headed for Monash Adventure Playground. To my brothers, this place needs no introduction and brings back many happy childhood memories playing on equipment that would in today’s age threaten multiple lawsuits and liability cases. Unfortunately today’s version has been dumbed down a little, with little chance of massive trauma or 3^rd degree burns from mallee roasted metal, but it was still cool. The maze the highlight for mine. We called in here last year on the way home from Flinders only to find it shut. Promising the kids we’d return soon, I kept that promise and we stayed here for an hour or so to stretch legs.

The two towers were cool, but the lack of actual lethal falls, tetanus free metal sheeting and easy access might have reduced the attraction. Still, kids these days will never understand will they?

Must admit, the maze was awesome. And this pic only shows half of it.

The "flying fox" was more like the "slowly sliding domesticated dog". But I think Sam still enjoyed it.

Whilst they were running around, I was tweaking our IT solutions to allow movies onto the tablet and B rustled up some rolls for lunch. There are certainly perks with bringing the entire house with you everywhere you go!

Back on the road, and we started the big slog across to Burra and through to Port Augusta before turning for Whyalla where we now find ourselves.

At times I forgot to look in the mirrors, such was the lack of signs of life our here. So imagine my surprise when this guy, out of nowhere came flying past us. I think our fuel consumption was similar.

As I type, the wind has just died down, and the chatting from the other side of the curtain (in the “bedroom”) has stopped. Moo helped me set up with gusto which was lovely, despite it taking 500% longer. If I can teach her most parts, I’ll get to the cold beers and camping chair sooner, so it’s an investment in time. Hopefully Future Matt is grateful. In all honesty though, it’s nice to have her keen and asking questions and getting involved.

So with that lazy 1000 odd kilometres out of the way and our goal to reach Whyalla in one stop achieved, we can start the Adventure proper tomorrow. A promise of museums and tours, a bit of a walk to stretch the legs and a stocktake to see exactly what we forgot, and we’re away.