A short but fine adventure by Sommer Days Read more
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  • Day 1

    First night at Lake Walpeup Reserve

    November 1, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We are heading off on a trip to test out the new off-road caravan. Planning to hit the dirt and find some rough roads and dust to see if there are any issues.

    After a late start, we did not travel as far as we would have liked to. We passed through the wheat belt and stopped to admire the artwork at Brim.

    This silo was painted by Australian street artist Guido van Helten, and he started on 14th December 2015 and completed it on 4th January. He endured extreme heat, strong winds, lightning and even a dust storm. At times, he had to stop painting in the heat of the day and continue in the cool evening, and he celebrated his 29th birthday, Christmas and New Year with the locals.

    In this area, there are a series of painted grain silos, but this is the only one we stopped at. We passed another one that was a work in progress. One day we will come back with more time and enjoy the rest.

    We found a free campsite about 6kms off the road along a dirt track. It was a Parks Victoria site, but looked more like a local waterhole with inflated tyre tubes, swings and slides. We had the place to ourselves. A local farmer was harvesting his crop and was a bit noisy, but when he stopped about 9pm, it was very peaceful and quiet. In the morning we awoke to a beautiful sunny day and sat outside and had breakfast before packing up and heading off again.

    We noticed a tiny little bit of red dust on the zippered vents when we lifted the roof when we arrived, and it was a breeze levelling the van with the air bag suspension. Cooking outside was simple with the slide out gas BBQ. We are still getting aquainted with the various light switches and keys, but it will get easier. That is what this trip is all about.
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  • Day 2

    Darling River, Pooncarie

    November 2, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Headed off this morning, thinking we may make it to Bindara Station. We had stayed there about 4 years ago when we did a trip we called the 'Darling River Run'. Our plans are always changing, and after fueling up at Wentworth and filling our water tanks at the local Caravan Park for a fee of $5, we ended up finding a nice site on the side of the Darling River just south of Pooncarie. There is another caravan set up here, but we are far enough away, not to see each other, giving us both some privacy.

    We sat by the river which is a green clay colour, on the high bank and listened to the birds and watched the feral goats nearby and across the river. Apparently the river is quite low at the moment and the authorities are about to release some water from Menindee Lakes, which should flush the river and raise the level.

    We did plan to head to Bindara today, but found this nice spot instead, and best of all, it is free.

    The weather has been fine and sunny today, but rain and cooler weather is forecast. Hopefully it will not affect our plans to head up to the Flinders and possibly Lake Eyre.
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