It's a Lot Different from Camberwell

New thermals for first night in a tent

Campsite, Wilpena Pound

Flinders Ranges

And with those six words, uttered as he stood at the top of Mt Ohlsen Bagge looking into Wilpena Pound, Ollie's fate for the next 11 months was sealed. There would be no turning back regardless of the fact that Ivy still refuses to admit she is having a good time. Leaving Kimmy the Wondervan at Port Augusta was no problem. Larry said he'd keep an eye on her so we left her in a corner of the Shoreline Caravan Park next to the greyhound track.

Driving the Disco without Kimmy attached is a revelation. The fuel gauge remains stable, the revs don't go above 2000, and we can travel at 110 like everyone else. Not that that counts for much. Have driven for over 5 hours the last two days and have seen one other car on the road. Raised my two fingers from the steering wheel, and left him in a cloud of dust.

First stop was Wilpena Pound. We found a campsite that was well shaded and well away from others. Not hard. We're here in the off season and most of the usual tourist attractions are closed. To my disgust, that meant no feral feast at the Parachilna pub (thanks anyway Joc, Mark, & Sadie). Out came the tents. Madness ensued. Wind came from nowhere to steal tent bags and flies. Ned tripped through every zip that didn't get stuck in Ivy's hair. Tent pegs bent as if Uri Geller was sitting in the tree above us. Somehow, within 45 minutes, two passable shelters rose from the dirt, and the kids and Sara went off for a swim. I set up camp and revelled in the serenity.

Lots of serenity to be found here. We walked a lot, counted lizards (lots), emus (lots), kangaroos (lots), crows (lots), brown snakes (one, thank you Ivy for warning Ollie before he stomped on it in the middle of talking about how few reptiles there actually were in the park). Woke to big winds and the threat of rain. Packed up as if to move, but decided to do another walk first to the old homestead. Ollie and I walked the extra 2 kilometres to the lookout, then pretended we were Plowmans and ran 3k to catch up with Sara and the litllies. Back in the car, and on to Arkaroola. Photos to follow.