Between Treks 5 and 6

27 May 2014

As I left Wonoka on my way to Hawker, I decided to have a look at what was on the embankment I reversed onto.

Well it wasn't an embankment as such just a triangle of scrub between the two tracks off the main homestead road. I have a rear camera which serves as the rear vision mirror, but didn't see this Goliath in the scrub as the sun was shining directly on the lens.

Just a hint of my wheel track to the right of the picture

Close up - the culprit - a lump of concrete!

I was on the road, belongings tossed carelessly in the back seat, listening to my talking book as usual when a few kilometres out of Hawker I noticed the sky, don't know how well I did with these pictures but I recall it was an amazing sky!

Looking back towards Hawker

Nice sky looking west

Trek 5 19 - 23 May 2014

19 May 2014

Day 1 of a trek is always hectic, moving camps and preparing swags etc for the guests. Although the instructions advise the trek kicks of at 4pm, and guests can arrive from 1.30, we are not ready for arrivals at 10.30, which is when our new guests arrived!

Karen was dispatched to chat while Paul and I set things up, well Paul delivered the wagon and left Alice and I to it, I am pleased to say I am getting on top of the organisation and had nibbles and wine ready, and all the prep for dinner done by 4pm.

Unpacking at Mayo's Hut

Karen and I had picked up Alice in Port Augusta yesterday. Alice is the photographer for the school trek later in the year and is joining us to get "the lie of the land"  as well as lending a very capable pair of hands.

Our new guests Angela from the Sunshine Coast and her sister Anita from Germany are quite besotted with the camels, making it clear they want to ride as much as possible. Now I am learning more and more about these creatures all the time, and know how important it is to look after their feet. While camels do have toe nails the sole of there foot is a large gelatinous pad, adapted for sand not for rock. When we are climbing steep hills or encounter sharp rocks it is time for the guests to walk....

 20 May 2014

A leisurely start to the day today after the "signature breakfast", it always gets a good reaction, so I guess it is a winner.

Sandwiches packed and the group headed off for the day. I stayed behind and generally pottered about. Jeff cousin to station owner Peter did some maintenance about the hut including paving to the longdrop for the upcoming church picnic. I reckon this would have to be the best long drop I have seen in all my travels.

Tonight Luke became unwell with the virus that Sara had a few days ago, so Karen and the kids departed to their camp so as not to disturb the guests overnight.


21 May 2014

The group was ready to go early, lunches made we hit the track about 9am, I decided to walk also up the "Sky Road", Angela and Anita had walking poles and kindly lent them to me when they weren't riding, mine being in the paj in Hawker. I also bought another set along for the last trek, to lend to guests and it struck me that set was in Pete's car.

Karen decided to keep Luke home from school and have a quiet day catching up on bookings and admin work.

Alice

Angela and Anita

All in blue

Snowy

 There was a bit of "off and on" due to the terrain, which involves telling the camels to sit, applying the "handbrake" a leather strap that fastens about a front leg so that the camel cannot stand unexpectedly. Camels I have learnt are quite clever about the understanding of a 12 year old, cows I have been told rate at a 6 year old, and sheep 3, not sure how this is determined but........

I took a trip into "town" Hawker to pick up the paj which was supposedly ready, only to be told they were bashing out the fuel tank, apparently I had reversed up an embankment and crushed the tank which cut off the fuel line, maybe that was the problem all along but the turbo boost thingy would have been next, all in all I am pleased the turbo thing is replaced.

Karen and the children joined us for dinner, Luke immeasurably improved. Tonight was chow mein night always a favourite with Paul.

Karen feeding Zaki from the veggie scraps

22 May 2014

The sunrise was colourful and the light just right.

 I would like to know what I am doing as I am sure if I chose a different setting my photos would be better...

Sunrise

Anita

Angela

I said my farewells early as I needed to leave the group today so that I could return to Adelaide to attend my first aid course tomorrow. I organised dinner for Karen to cook I collected my belongings which were in three separate locations. Peter drove me into town and I was on the road by 3.45.

Group shot - more blue!

Camels heading out

Between Treks 4 and 5

16 May 2014

This looks like it could be expensive!

The paj heads into Hawker, I hope to have some news tomorrow.


17 May 2014

Apparently there is something wrong with the Turbo Boost, whatever that is, Tessa needed something done to her turbo and it cost 2K ouch can only wait and see.

Trek 4 12 - 16 May 2014

12 May 2014

The morning was spent packing the food wagon, with the shopping purchased yesterday. Pete Dobré also travelled up yesterday and lent a hand in Port Augusta to load the shopping into the Paj.

Our guests arrived early and Pete came to the rescue once again taking them on an impromptu tour complete with some photographic tips. This gave Paul and I enough time to get the wagon out to the hut and allowed me to unpack and start dinner.

Fire lit, camels feeding, time for the humans to eat

The salads and patties were made by the time Elizabeth and Steve (from Honolulu) arrived with the Dobré taxi. Karen, Paul and the kids along with Cheryl and Peter from the homestead completed the guest list, or so I thought....

Our final guest Tessa travelling from Canberra was driving up the highway and Karen and I organised to drive to Quorn to meet her and guide her to camp. This was achieved safely after I had a kip for 5 minutes in Quorn about 9pm before the homeward journey. We encountered the same group of 5 BIG kangaroos on the road and managed to avoid many others.

 13 May 2014

My signature breakfast dish started the day, and yes you guested it Tessa is vegetarian so I needed to adapt the meals again!

Remains of Sheppards Hut

Along the creek

I packed up lunch to make sandwiches on track and managed a ride today, this time on Gundhi a bull camel who is the last camel in the string.

Trevor the lead camel is a girl (or cow as the girls are called), I haven't got to the bottom of her name yet though, she is a steady good lead camel, next there is Snowy (white of course) and Mumpy (the tea lady) who carries the food for the day, but doesn't carry riders. Mumpy is blind in one eye. Millie who used to be in third position is having a spell, after her skittishness on the first trek when I rode her, no I wasn't the cause! Next is Gundhi who I discovered today likes to take the steepest path down a hill, with some jolting about, who needs a chiropractor? Seriously it wasnt that bad. Lastly is Zaki who doesnt carry anything except a load of cuteness, being still a baby at 11 months.

I didn't manage to get any photography tips today, as the day was mainly devoted to giving the guests a feel for riding and the view atop the camels. It is quite amazing how the landscape opens up when you are 7 feet taller.

Elizabeth and Steve have elected to sleep out under the stars tonight after a night in the hut last night. They along with the first group who had not slept out does bring back to me how easily we take things for granted once we have done them a few times. I just love sleeping under the stars, haven't seen them for a few nights though as the moon is full.


 14 May 2014

We moved camp after breakfast to a spot on a creek not to far from the families permanent camp. I was initially reluctant to drive through the sand, having visions of getting bogged again, later with no one about I managed a very competent drive through after checking the correct 4WD range to use.

The group took the "sky route" which I was not comfortable to drive up to deliver lunch, so Karen drove the paj while I walked. 

The group had their first official photography workshop today and returned with chatter about the technicalities, I am already lost!


15 May 2014

The group set off and I made cold rolls for lunch, very tasty and economical! The only problem encountered was finding the group, who were trailblazing a new route. I was at the appointed lunch spot at 12.30, but the group was nowhere to be seen. They eventually arrived at 2.10 tired and hungry. Just as well Karen had taken a pack of biscuits. 

Ron's Creek lunch spot

Wide open spaces

There is certainly  sense of adventure in taking a vague route to a rendezvous spot but it does have a few tense moments when the hills obstruct the radio signal. My adventure was complete though navigating the sand and a creek crossing and a steepish hill, reckon I will try the sky route in a few weeks!

Dinner time at the new camp

16 May 2014

I awoke earlier than usual, I thought I was home and had left the light on, but it was the full moon directly overhead, fully burning through my eyelids! 
 

Morning

Snowy

Setting off for the final ride

 Today the group set off for a "half hour walk out and half hour back", somewhere I got muddled up and didn't get to say a proper farewell to Elizabeth and Steve. I also missed out on some action in the camel yards, Gundhi is in rut, yes I had to google. Apparently the male camel goes into season and this in turn gets the cows ready for mating, it was all action in the camel yard, Pete got some demure shots haha.

I have been investigating food delivery services and set off for a meeting in Hawker with Gordon the rep from PFD, Karen was also heading in, as Gordon was delayed I tried to radio Karen but was out of range. Long story short, I returned to the station, managed to reverse into an embankment and then the car wouldn't drive. 2hours later the RAA loaded the paj and drove away. 

Tessa is staying on for a couple more days, the next trek starts Monday, it will be a drive to Port Augusta (Agutta!) for supplies on Sunday.

Trek 3; 1 - 6 May 2014

1 May 2014

Our new guests arrived Tony and Di, in their mobile home. I played hostess and settled them into the shearers quarters and started with the dinner organisation, no dietary requirements or so I thought, I was wrong, gluten free, but I am good at a adjusting mid step haha. 

Karen and I have now had a conversation about me being more involved in checking of dietary needs, looks like a job for the spreadsheet queen!

The weather has been abominable, so a round table conference was called after breakfast (Shakshouka again!) decided that Di and Tony would head off and join us for Pete Dobre's first camel photography Trek.

I have decided to drive back to Adelaide early, thankfully I have an armful of jobs to keep me occupied.

Back to learn the finer points of photography on the 12th, stay tuned folks....

Reminants of a wurly on Merna Mora Station

A large trunk in the middle of "nowhere" On Wonaka Station

Detail of the trunks' grain - beautiful!

Between Treks 2 & 3

30 April 2014

Paul had wanted to explore tracks around Wonoka for the next trek, so he headed off on the motorbike to do this while Karen and I headed to Port Augusta to shop. 

I was wondering how I would manage a 5 day trek after only cooking for 3, I needn’t have worried when I realized I did just cook for a 5 day trek!

I took this picture after the first trek and was feeling quite excited at the thought of "the wagon",  I now have fond memories of this yellow wonder, I am wanting to take charge of packing it - everyone knows I can pack an elephant into a suitcase!

The wagon, thinking I will need to give her a name! Paul (also pictured) already has a name

Trek 3 starts tomorrow.......

Trek 2; 25 - 28 April 2014

29 April 2014

I am thinking I might experiment with blogging each trek as one blog entry, rather than a blog each day, firstly there is no internet access, although I will investigate a mobile dongle again, secondly there is no power, likewise I am looking into a smaller solar panel to recharge the second battery in the Paj, finally my writing is not that interesting, I am still striving to get back to my sparkling humorous self (stop laughing), I am also not sure who I am writing this for!

I did the food shop at Port Augusta on the way up, and camped at Karen and Paul's new campsite overnight and helped with the loading of the food wagon. Karen and Paul loaded the camels who needed a little coaxing on and off!

"Here Zaki a Biscuit" - yes Zaki eats biscuits, well almost anything really!

We arrived at Merna Mora station early afternoon on Thursday 24th and set up our base at “Plain Hut”. The landscape here is flat compared to Wonoka. To the west sand hills can be seen poking above the expansive flat, to the east is the Western boundary of Wilpena which is amazing, particularly at sunset.

Rustic!

Camp at Sunset

Camels at Sunset

This was a 3 day trek for a group of 3; Martin and Barbara from Queensland, and Toolie from Sweden, who arrived earlier than expected, before lunch instead of 4pm. Thankfully Donald the station owner took them on a drive to allow us to continue establishing camp.

I had planned the same menu as last trek and had shopped accordingly, I fell at the first hurdle, they were vegetarian! After a hasty rethink I re-organised the menu.

Veggie Curry!

With a couple of hours of daylight left at 1624 to be precise, Karen, Sara, Martin and I headed out to drop a load of hay at Saturday nights’ campsite. The plan being I would drive the food wagon out and rendezvous with the others and have dinner underway. Karen by way of preparing me to drive the wagon through the sand hills suggested I drive the trailer back. Did the unthinkable happen, yes..... I got us bogged! To make matters worse the vehicles 2-way radio decided to give up on us after being adjusted earlier in the day, then the satellite phone went flat. Sometimes you just need a third backup, "smoke signals" you say.... we didn’t have matches with us either!

With sunlight fading and many shovels of sand and bundles of sticks later we got out, leaving the trailer behind. No I did not drive back.....

Thirteen kilometres can seem endless when you are somewhere on a track on a 595 Sq km station looking for the right gate in the dark. Thankfully I had noted the type of latch on the 2 gates we had to go through and we found the correct one and arrived back at camp. Barbara and Toolie had organise some roasted veggies, I made my gourmet salads, and we all rolled into bed after sharing the dishes tummies still full, but not feeling much like sleeping, well I didn’t.

Now just to expand here.... My OHS collegues would be horrified at my unpreparedness, and Mr Dobré said "did you take a photo" duhhh no!

Morning Tea at Plain Hut

A little rain overnight the track slippery, Donald did retrieve the hay trailer but had a slippery time doing so, which decided the rest of the trek. Feeling a little unwell I stayed at camp with Sara and Luke while the guests and Karen headed off for camel riding along the sand hills, I had scones and a cake made by their return for afternoon smoko.

Raring to go..... just wish the rain and flies would let up....

Several hours later; happy faces = a good ride

A kiss for Zaki

Saturday we packed and headed back to Wonoka, the track dried enough to let us through, rain forecast for Tuesday would have us stuck out on one side of Merna and the next trek guests on the other. This proved a wise decision, and gave our guests another view of the Flinders' landscape which they really appreciated.

Swags

Packing up and fun

Sunset on Wonoka as viewed from Mayo's Hut

Colourful "Rocks & Sand" recipe

Anxious that the guests had not had the full trekking experience Karen invited them to stay on another day, which turned into 2 as the rain set in stranding us at Mayo's Hut. Well Paul, Barbara, Toolie , Martin and I were stranded. Karen Luke and Sara were at the homestead, after deciding to head in earlier so Sara could do some school work. 

We ate very well, as we had the wagon and all the food. Karen and the kids did not fare so well, as Cheryl and Peter were away and the larder was bare. They also had two extra mouths to feed as Pete Dobré turned up and local man Jeff was care taking the homestead.

We managed a few walks to explore, my critical eye looking twice at the scenery deciding if I can improve my shot, I just done have enough information yet....

Summary of the trek.....All in all things turned out well, we all ate enough, compliments about my meals were generous, the guests were great fun and also a great help, it is so nice when everyone mucks in!

Day 3 I Can Do This

13 April 2014

Up early stoking the fire and making pancake batter. Sherilee made a buckwheat batch. 

Pancakes

The New Zealanders were more relaxed about swagging it this morning, it was so long ago that I first slept in a swag, that I don't remember how long it took me to adjust.

Pete arrived to take a group shot, then the guests set off for the homestead and showers.

Say "Awesome"    (photo courtesy Pete Dobre)

I took charge of the packing up and waited the chariot to ferry me back. 

I had some really nice compliment about the meals, which has given me confidence to be a bit more adventurous.

Heading back

Day 2 Getting Comfortable

13 April 2014

My main challenge today was locating all the ingredients for the days meals, guess it just shows how important it is to organise ones own kitchen. 

The adventure continues with planning today's route, I have elected to stay at the hut when the others head off after lunch and explore a couple of nearby hills.

Breakfast was a lazy porridge, cereal, toast and fruit - easy on the cook. 

Lunch was gourmet wraps with home made hummus and guacamole, falafel and fillings. 

While the guests and kids headed off with Karen and Paul, I did a couple of reasonable hill climbs, practicing some new photography techniques, courtesy of Pete. 

Elder Range

Mayo's Hut

Mayo's Hut and my swag

For tonight's dinner I made my Chow Mein recipe, with a few modifications; zucchini instead of beans, rice noodles instead of egg noodles. Just a few of the challenges of trek cooking - choosing foods which travel well and catering to special diets. By all accounts the meal was a hit, I think Paul had 4 bowls!

Feeling Relaxed

Pete has put together photos and video of the trek, and played them to the group. 

Such stunning images, think I will have to do one of his photography workshops. Thanks for all the tips so far....... I will certainly be all ears on the upcoming photographic Trek in May!              

Day 1 - Here Goes Nothing

12 April 2014

I set my alarm, but didn't need to anxiety woke me early! 

Susan's Shaksouka (photo courtesy Pete Dobre)

My two helpers Sara and Ebony got the fire started while I chopped ingredients for Shakshouka for breakfast (traditional Israeli breakfast). 

Camels were saddled, and packs loaded with lunch provisions, the first riders climbed aboard and set off. I set off on foot a good 2 minutes behind as I had misplaced my glasses. Thankfully Pete gave me a ride on the running board of his 4wd while I did an impersonation of Rose from Titanic and I caught up with the others.

Striding ahead the kids (Sara, Luke and Ebony) and I located Ron's Creek our lunch location and awaited the riders. The main challenge was warding off the flies. I know I tried to eat my sandwich through my fly net!

I was infused with a sense of adventure as we set off after lunch towards Mayo's Hut "in that direction", no map, no GPS, just the knowledge it was to the left of a southern peak of the Elder Range. Note to self - research the landscape features and learn to use a compass, or remember the GPS!

Shade on the bank of Ron's Creek

Luke and I ambled along eventually locating the signpost to Mayo's Hut. I took a happy snap to celebrate the walking of another section of the Heysen Trail. 

After waiting for the girls to catch up we found they had met up with the camels and the rest of the guests, as I waved to the group I was aware of the stricken look on Karen's face as the camels became unsettled at my appearance. She swears they all jumped in the air when the saw me in my hat, fly net, walking poles and gaiters. "Susan show your face, show you are human" was the chant, don't think I am going to live this down!

Sherilee had the hut fire burning, so I set about organizing the leg of lamb campfire roast with roast potatoes and carrots, corn and zucchini. We experimented with bananas studded with chocolate and cooked on the campfire for dessert. Apparently they were good, I don't like bananas though.

After laughter, wine and dishes, the group retired to bed, for the New Zealanders their first experience in a swag.

Ron's Creek

Sunset and Campfire