Day 17, Saturday 7/07/2012, Poeppel Corner to Birdsville

I was up at sunrise today getting a gorgeous photo across the salt pan to the west, getting the reverse sunrise colours and the setting moon. It was a chilly morning with ice on the swags again. A bit of a record today having packed up and left by 8.15am for our adventure to Birdsville! This first encompassed driving along the edge of, and then crossing a huge salt pan.

Then there were large swales of gidgee forest, gradually widening as you head east. We kept running into the group (3 vehicles with a homemade trailer and a T Van) that we met at Dalhousie. News from the radio chatter is that yesterday an 80yr old lady came out to Eyre Creek to scatter her husband’s ashes. While there she had a heart attack and had to be medi-vacced out.

It was a very busy QAA track today. Groups of 4wds heading both directions. At one stage we passed a group of motor bikes heading west. One idiot didn’t think his brain was important enough to protect it with a helmet! Next was a lady hiking east towards Birdsville with a “Spot” GPS strapped to her arm. She was hiking the Simpson Desert to raise money for the RFDS. We spent half the day pulling off the track to let others pass by.

There is a gorgeous eucalyptus forest for the final 10km before Eyre Creek.  The creek bed itself made for a lovely lunch stop, under the shade of a coolabah tree...... Unlike the bonnet high water of 2 years ago, the creek was bone dry!

There was another unscheduled stop just before getting to Big Red to make yet another rubber bush for Lisa and Stuarts’s suspension.

The crowd at Big Red was huge. People and cars everywhere. There were 4 tracks up with the left hand track near vertical. Only empty 4wds were attempting this with half not making it. Stuart had a couple of attempts at No2 and made it. Peter and Bruce had a couple of goes at No2 as well but had to end up using No3.

Col got up No2 first try. Go the Landy! Lisa and I then decided to have a go and we both got up No2 first go. Girl power! The crowd were fun with spectators all watching and cheering everyone on. Speaking to people we ascertained that only about 50% of the loaded up vehicles seemed to make it up No2. The rest used No3.

Our Dalhousie friends were nice enough to take a group shot of us on Big Red. The lake was still there on the east side of Big Red, but quite a bit smaller. It is such a beautiful wetland full of birds.

Once you are around the lake detour it is a quick and easy drive to Birdsville.

The very friendly Kim checked us in. We had the exact same room as last time. The others are all jealous as it is also the largest room (sorry not our doing). We do have a family of 4 adults though after all.

Instead of dinner in the dining room we have been relegated to the beer garden for a stew and desert set menu. The dining room was saved for a bus group. I don’t think everyone’s happy about the cold outdoors for eating again but I’m sure the atmosphere will be fun.

After a quick shower and putting some washing in the very convenient hotel laundromat, I had a very scrumptious lamb shanks with vegetables and sticky date pudding.  There was no allocated seating. Some locals and heaps of people from the caravan park were all there for dinner as well. So we all kind of ate in shifts when and where we could. It’s a shame they didn’t reserve tables for those already booked in through the hotel. I was sad not to all sit down together inside the Hotel next to a lovely fireplace. We ended up sitting inside in the front dining room for a drink next to the fire after tea, then as parents took the little ones off to bed, Col, Bruce Fiona and I had a bit of a drink in the Hotel proper. It was packed! We discussed future trips (a shame we don’t get more annual leave). Fiona and Bruce gave me an opal charm for my Pandora bracelet and a card to Col and I to thank us for all the work we put into planning and organising this trip. Thanks so much. I’m glad you appreciate it. I hope you are enjoying the experience. You didn’t need to do that but I do love it!

Back to the Parkes’ suite for tea and coffee with Peter and Lisa joining us. The teenagers had been watching TV in here and everyone else is in bed asleep.

It was another late night trying to do some blogging. It’s just too difficult to keep it up to date when my computer won’t hold a charge long enough to get the typing done as I go. I ruined a good night’s sleep in the hotel trying to catch up. I should just leave it until I get home instead.

Happy birthday Katie.......we love you and miss you!!