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

The First Supper

11 April 2014

We awoke early today for the Camel Treks Australia TV debut. Channel 7 were on location just after 8 am to interview Karen and take footage of the camels and riders. Alan, Cheryl and myself also made our TV debut.

I chose to ride Millie as she appeared to be docile, not so, something was upsetting her, I don't think it was me. But apparently I looked quite panic stricken when she sat down mid stride giving me somewhat of a bucking bronco experience.

I neglected to mention that last night we were joined by Pete Dobré celebrated photographer, who was engaged to taking photos/video for the Camel Treks Australia website. Pete also doubled as taxi driver to pick up 4 our our treking guests Rachel, Lucy, Stella and Lisa New Zealanders from Hawker. Liz and Sophie from NSW arrived in their own vehicle.

BBQ Nite - Dinner Menu: 

• Home Made Beef Patties
• Marinaded Chicken
• Coal Roasted Potatoes
• Fried Onions
• Pear, Beetroot and Almond Salad with tangy dressing
• Carrot and Raisin Salad
• Green Salad
• Wine

Fellow Cameleer Sara and her friend Ebony, helped with the food preparation and took charge lighting the fire. The beef patties were made in true "rocks and sand" style, as the bread crumbs specifically purchased were now out at Mayo's Hut!

Dinner was a leisurely affair, conversations started, stories and laughter shared, friendships forged. Everyone rolled into bed early with full bellies bubbling with anticipation of tomorrows trek. I am planning breakfast!

Camp fire ready for the First Supper                 (photo courtesy Pete Dobre)

"Rocks and Sand" the style of cooking I am renowned for i.e. made up out of my head.

From "have you got rocks in your head" "yes and sand too"!, 

Actually it was an affectionate jibe some 20 years ago, adopted by my children who would beg me to make rocks and sand meals.

I find it hard to follow a recipe, but am practicing!

Getting Serious

10 April 2014

Wonoka Homestead, looking toward the shearers quarters

Sherilee, a friend of Karen's arrived with husband Alan and 2 young children today , she has worked with camels herself some years back and will be available to help with food prep if required.

It was decided that the food wagon which will be my mobile kitchen, will not be used this trek due to the weather conditions, more rain overnight. Instead Sherilee and Alan will head out to Mayo Hut (on the Heysen Trail)  tomorrow and take the majority of the food. They will camp overnight and help with setting up for the guests arrival.

Camels and Wonoka Bluff

After the Rain - AKA Settling In

9 April 2014

I awoke early after a comfortable night in one of the single beds at the Homestead. I tiptoed outside to see where I had landed and was dazzled by the sight of the Elder Ranges to the north and Wonoka Bluff to the south. Feeling rather privilaged to be in such beautiful country.

Karen and I unloaded the remainder of the food from the 4wd into the shearers quarters. 

Later I pottered about getting to know Peter and Cheryl the station owners, did some ironing for Cheryl and made up the beds in the shearers quarters.

The trek was to take place on Merna Mora Station but due to the rains, which have not abated yet, the tracks there are closed. Karen did some hasty telephoning to advise the guests of the change of location to Wonoka.

I discussed the menu further, it appears I will have a pretty free hand. 

I am starting to feel a little nervous.......

Elder Ranges bathed in cloud

A New Journey Begins

8 April 2014

Today's journey has been some months in the making........... 

I was fortunate to meet Karen and Paul of Camel Treks Australia a couple of months after the death of my Partner Simon Harris last year  and not only did I sell them our beloved Camper Trailer (the Taj) but I was offered a job cooking for their camel treks!

Today I drove north for 4 hours in the most miserable weather - constant rain, low cloud, but thankfully not to cold; to rendezvous with Karen and do the food shopping at Port Augusta for the first trek. After loading the 4 trolleys of food into her 4wd we drove another hour or so to Wonoka Station. I did suggest we had bought more food than we needed, but I am not certain, time will tell. This trek I will be cooking for 17 including myself!

I usually let out an audible sigh when I first glimpse the Southern Flinders Ranges, the ancient majesty brings an instant stillness to my active mind, today however low cloud obscured everything outside a 50 metre radius! Later it was too dark to see anything but the back light of Karen's 4wd as I followed nervously along the sodden and slippery dirt road. Karen had mentioned a few times in conversation that I was experienced at 4 wheel driving, I have no idea where she got that idea, I am almost as bad a 4 wheel driver as I am a passenger. Yes the family is nodding as they read!

Not an inspiring photo, a rain drop had lodged on the rearview camera!

Yep four trolleys of shopping, thankfully we had some help.