Meridiens news

I have made a great friend to play with. Her name is Sophie.

Hey friends and family,

I would like to talk about Coober Pedy....this name means White Mans Burrows in aboriginal.

At Coober Pedy 6.00 in the morning, miners would go to work in the Opal fields, searching for Opals. We went too. Mum found a hhuuuggggeee opal, its worth a fortune. I reckon mum would have fainted if it was any bigger.

This is NOT mums opal guys, it is just how pretty they are.



We are noodling. Noodling is when you search through rocks trying to find Opal or crystals. I found a few Opals by:
using a special technique by looking for colourful sparkles in the sun.



 

I am at Uluru which is the aboriginal word for Ayres Rock. Ayres Rock is the biggest rock in the world. We were going to climb it but I got a little nervous. Instead I rode around it on my bike. It was 10.5km around. To the me, the rock was OMG...huge, it changes color at sunet, fascinating. There were aboriginal paintings on the inside of the caves. Circles around circles means waterhole.





 



 

Today I went on a camel ride. The camel I rode was called Bonnie. It was a bumpy, relaxing ride. I nearly fell asleep. They have a very fluffy and warm coat, and they only have teeth on the bottom jaw because they rechew their food like cows. I loved the baby camel who is being looked after because she was attacked by wild dogs. Her name is Scruffy, because she has a very scruffy coat. Camels wear bells around their necks so when they are out in the dunes, so the people can hear them.

 

I bought a toy camel and I called it Bonnie.

 

So far, I am having a great time doing new things, being entertained, having fun with my new friends and family.

 

 

Chat to you soon...

 



To Uluru

Well again a few days have passed us by:

COOBER PEDY cont'd  meaning White Man Burrows

*  found super large brilliantly colored Opals when noodling. Thought the day before was a great find, well today was just LUCKY!!!!! found 3 double the size of previous days. Jase says MAN< LETS GO TO GOLD FIELDS!!!!!
*  went into underground home, mine and shops, very bizarre feeling
*  did you know that Opals are 150 million years old?
*  That there was the Artesian Sea that flowed down from right up Kunnurra in top of QLD down to CooBer Pedy, depositing MArine fossils and Dino fossils and Opals throughout this region.
*  took an off road sceneic drive towards Oodnoondatta Track and then veered to Break Aways which are part of the Painted Hills. Just pictureque again. They are all flat topped hills called Mesa.

The Break Aways  Mesa

The Cathedral at Break Aways

 

ULURU

* sunny
* warm
* sun screen required
* gentle breezes
* cool nights to sleep
* perfect
* red dust (gets into everything)
* some of my favourite scenery was on way to Uluru. Red dunes with blackened Female She Oak trees...gorgeous
* many burnt out cars along arid stretches of road
* found friends we made in Wilpena so camping with them, their kids are same age as ours, so they have set up a bush camp of their own with sticks trees and craft making stuff. COOLLLLL....

* Uluru is amazing. What a ROCK!!!!
* colours are exquisite, ever changing and you just cannot photograph it enough
* we did 2 laps around
* 1 with kids all on our bikes, that was the photographic lap...
* THEN my gorgeous running girls....... I ran around the ROCK 10.5 km with kids on their bikes again and unfortunately Jase pulled off the run too. I am little miffed that he can do this without being a runner AT ALL....HHHHmmmm where are you guys running this week hey????
* Back at night to the amazing colors of the rock for Sunset
* eating well and lapping up the sun guys,

Self explanatory!!!!

Just being fancy!!!

 



 

OLGAS:

 

*  drier

*  less vegetation

* less spiritual and prescence compared to Ayres Rock, but more mumpy bumpy and impact from a distacne

*  kids could climb rocks and play a bit more freely

 

Few stray nomad I adopted at Olgas

A pet we found at bottom of Olgas

 

A stray husband I found and kept at Olgas

 

And another pet accoding to Meridien. How well camouflaged is it???

 

 



Arkaroola and beyond

OMG..... we have just been to the most amazing places.

Arkaroola: Far North Flinders Ranges, in Gammon Ranges.
Outback SA.

Few comments and pics to go....

*  sooooo remote
*  stars that start at the mountain horizon and end there too
*  decided that we definitely are NOT alone in this universe!!!! With so many stars and other Solar systems we just cannot be....hows that for deep and meaningful???
*  soooooo quiet
*  scary to get there
*  saw a Territory take out an emu and completely smash the front of the car
*  it was great advertising for the AWD Territory!!!!!!
*  Loads of animals:  Yellow bellied Rock wallaby, Wild brumbies, Emus everywhere
*  watching emus run is pretty cool, looks like they are wearing skirts flitting about around their bums
*  soooooooo cold  -3 degrees
*  soooooooo barren, arid and dry
*  went to the bar and BEST Strong Bow I ever have had!!!!!
*  Kelpie territory, Cooper was his name
*  fantastic walks again
*  colors are beautiful
*  NO fossils or dinosaurs here as the rock laid here is 900,000,000 million years old!!!!
*  learnt loads about the local flora as it is unique to this area only....


*  Stayed in Port Augusta for a quick night and a big grocery shop
*  waited for the average train at railway crossing for 7 mins!!!!! Apparently according my statistic stating  son, there was approx 170 carriages with the Engine and Caboose.
*  Kids have filled in their art books with most amazing realist artworks. Capturing so much of what they see, OH and they have designed the Series 5 Trash Packs!!!!
*  the Chicken Dance has now been added to the Vaught Medley

Currently in Coober Pedy staying at a caravan park with half of the Australian population i kid you NOT!!!

*  Drive 500kms of NOTHING!!!!!
*  Did I mention there was NOTHING!!!!
*  Ohhhh look there is absolutely NOTHING!!!!  Very red.....
*  we are getting good at converting the words of Gangnam Style Korean to english!!!
*  FUN fun fun fun fun fun....

Been Noodling for opals in the slag and got totally lucky!!!! Wooohooooo. Back tomoz for another go at it.  We will head for Marla later tomoz afternoon and on to Uluru....

TAKE CARE for now guys......mmmmmmchhhwwaaaaa (thats a kiss  :)

OMG this road is like bumpy and corrugated, freaked me right out. Down gorges and dips and dry creek beds....no other cars for at least 70 km...

 

Came out of a gorge and literally drove into this amazing scene. Lake Fromme in the distance. Felt much better on this road.

 

 

This is camp Arkaroola, as you can see not much but kids loved it. Great bar in homestead. Rain water only to drink. Giant ants everywhere!!!

 

Dry creek beds with so much debri and rocks to investigate. A Geologists mecca. Not allowed to take anyhing you find. Good for malachite, Ochre and Copper.

 

Views from Acacia Ridge walk. Amazing....

 

And again. Notice the North facing mountains previous pic and this South facing pic???

 

Mum, arent these gorgeous!!!! Wild....

 

No shit, there is a literal 500 m drop other side of where these guys are sitting. Top of the Ridge walk.

 

One lone happy, but stuffed kid wandering the wilderness with his beloved walking stick, come light saber come Harry Potter wand, come sword, come bazooka!!!!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taits News

This is me stuk in a brnt tree hole on a walk in the boosh at Wilpena South Australia.

This is me looking throo a hole in a ded tree.

I am pooting a leef boat down a streem. I wondr whr it wood go?

I am being silly. Isnt it pretty here?

Travel Songs Meag

Hey Meags,

We couldnt decide on a particular family travel song so we have our Medley. So every time we get in the car and head to somewhere new, we play the following:

1. Star Wars sound track
2. We will Rock you
3. Gangman Style
4. Kung Fu fighting
5. Rolling in the Deep


Hahahahaa, hope you guys are well.... my kids soooooo get what your kids were talking bout..

Wilpena

My goodness, a most wonderful treasure is Wilpena.  We looooove it here.

A few words to describe this place:

* Tranquil, peaceful, slow, fresh, gorgeous, beautiful, picturesque. Have a look.....

Sooooo pretty....

Hows the semi circle in this pic???

Kids climbed opposite Mountain, blinkin Mountain Goats they are whilst fighting off evil Sta wars characters along the way!

Kids floating tree leaf boats down the stream. Such simple pleasures forgotten in our busy schedules...

 

Wilpena Pound (Akurra) literaaly thousands of hectares bound by 2 severe ranges...strong dreamtime Aboriginal connections here. Some dude called Cahce came in mid 1800s and grazed 120,000 sheep and destryoed the inside. Many animals extinct etc. Hence Naional Park to try and revive what ws lost.

 

Meridiens news

Hi guys whats up? Missing you all. I have found the coolest tree house in a life time, dont you think so. Me and Tait had a lot of fun and imagination in the tree house.We followed Muscovy ducks here.

When we all arrived at Wilpena, in SA Flinders Ranges...

 

 



 I saw a very handsome bird it was delightful to watch.    

 

WOW, CHECK THIS AWESOME   GUM TREE OUT.  IT IS A HUGE TREE WITH  A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM WHICH I FIT IN, SEE.....  

By hope to see or text soon.



Burra

Shane and Shirl in Burra

OMG...Jase's Uncle literally landed in Burra with us!!!!! Jase is related to every bloody one...

*  Let me tell you Burra (SA) is this tiny mining town in the middle of nowehere famous for its Copper. Gorgeous little town. Spending the night with Shane and Shirl.  Tait giving Shane a run for his money, lets play:

Football, cricket, soccer, blokus  etc etc etc....

Shirl says a big hello to the family.

* Ladies the best purchase you can make is a pair of suede bloddstones lined with sheepskin!!!! Major purchase in Mildura... My god you need em!!!!  Cozy tootsies.

* Flocks of emus trotting everywhere.

* Currently sipping a local Cab Sav around a community fire with some other fellow travellers so will see yas...

Taits News

hi every one

I am laying on the seat on the Paddle boat in Mildura.

 



This is the Paddle boat.

I am with the Captain steering the boat, i got a special licence

.
 I am, hanging out the window.

this  is  sumwun  stand up paddo  b0rding.these waves are coming from the paddle boat.

bye....

Meridiens News

Hi guys yesterday I went on a paddle boat there were heaps of PELICONS!!!!! I got to drive it with the captain.

I saw lots of interesting birds
on the past two
days. such as  parrots and

          Muscovy  ducks.       

   

Surfs up on the Mighty Murray! This man is trying to surf the waves that the Paddle boat is making.

 

 

 

Check out the cutest lolly shop in Burra. Burra is in the middle of nowhere famous for Mining Copper back in the old days. It is too bad I didnt get any lollies today, but who cares I will get some tomorrow because the shop wasnt open. 

First few days:

Well,

Here is a few comments regarding first few days:

Currently we are in Mildura, Buronga NSW side, gorgeous campground (thanks Lynne)

Jase literally bumped into his cousin BLUE on the side of the road in Nullawil population about 10!! We know one of them.

*  Sunny
*  GIGANTIC random wild crazy watermelons and vines everywhere in middle of nowhere
*  10 hours of sleep every night!!!
*  Running with husband (totally bizarre, havent done this together in years and damn it, he kept up!!!!)
*  Camp fire blazing
*  Kids knackered
*  BIG blinkin ducks in this Caravan Park, not your average Mountain duck!!! Might have to chuck one in the freezer!!!

 

*  Visited the most amazing Gem stone collection.
*  New friends, havent seen kids for a while suppose should go and find them with the campground gang!!!!  Probably been adopted by some Grey Nomad missing their own grandkids

*  Been on a Paddle Boat, spent most of the time making sure Tait didnt fall in the Murray!!!
*  Bike riding along the river and stopping at every tree to climb it, like blinking dogs my kids!
*  For the cyclists, Jase got lost riding along the tracks of the Murray....he had a great time.
*  Kids will have own POSTS under their own names so direct your kids to those

                 Hey Dad, here is our lunch set up on the side of the road....works a charm



Off to Wilpena in Flinders Rangers via Burra and Clare in SA tomoz, so will catch you up in say 3-4 days time ok. Lots of Mountain Biking coming up so hoping NO broken bones. Tait is hard to reign in on his Mountain Bike on a wild track.