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!