“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 3rd 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.
