Glam Tenting in Wilpena Pound, Sth Australia

[Pushka]

After our lunch at The Prairie we drove along the side of the Pound and stopped for fossicking for fossils. Not much luck this time. By now the clouds were disappearing and it was getting warm. Gorgeous scenery everywhere.

 

[UP4014]

Thanks for the pics Pushka.
We lived for four years in nearby Leigh Creek which serviced a brown coal mine.

No glamping for us though - we regularly explored the surrounding area in our little camping trailer.

No doubt you've heard Leigh Creek coal ceases I think with the final train load Dec 20 with enough stockpiled to keep Port Augusta power station running until February 17 or so. There might be further life for Leigh Creek if zinc or fracking sand can be bought out of the area, it's being looked at but nothing confirmed.

Matt

 

[Pushka]

Drove back to our Glam tent and after a coffee we decided a walk was necessary.
Off to the Pound. There was a shuttle bus but it wasn't operating which meant a 40 minute walk to get to the entrance. You used to be able to drive to the entrance.
Being near the end of the day the roos were out foraging.

No **** sherlock! As if!

While taking this photo MrP ventured to the side of the pond. Within seconds he was hopping around - bull ants engulfed him. Fresh meat.
Walking through fading light brings out the best colours.

 

[Pushka]

Finally reached the start of the Pound. It was around 5.10pm and we needed to make sure we got back before it got dark and the insects came out. We reached sliding rock. As a youngster it was good fun having to walk at an angle for a bit to get into the Pound. Sadly it has been sanitised and the track changed so no more fun. Not to worry.
Many roos out feeding. As we were the only (stupid) people out at this time they weren't disturbed by us.
Babies.

And big uns.

 

[Pushka]

Walked for around 2 hours then back for dinner.
I ordered what I thought sounded good - and was promptly served the exact same meal as the night before! And a whole heap more chips. Oh well.

The next day we again enjoyed a lovely breakfast. Much hotter today on the breakfast deck. And we heard Brachina Gorge had reopened after the rain. Perfect.

Brachina Gorge is a road along creek beds. It is not sand but creek rocks and water. 4WD only. Its great fun especially after rain.

After yesterdays drive our car had caked on mud everywhere.

Our drive started with more photo ops.



We'd been told we had to try Quongdong Pie from Blinman General Store. Clearly expecting a lot of requests - around 40 pies in the bakery in a town of around 150 people. Silly tourists. $5.50 later and this:

We decided to pack a picnic lunch for the day as we were not going to be close to any shops after Blinman. Bottle of wine, cheese, crackers and chocolate. Perfect for lunch on a creek bed.

On the way we passed by this place. In SA we reckon as a child every house had this picture

It is a famous tree in SA originally taken by Harold Cazneaux.

 

[Pushka]

Even the roads add to the beauty here

 

[Pushka]

We made our way to the 'road' leading to Brachina and there was a road closed sign. But it was on the ground. Didn't count.
These are shots of the 'road' made worse by the recent rains.

 

[Pushka]

We found our perfect lunch spot. Backs to the car we set up our meal.


A wine later we heard a bit of a commotion behind us. At this time we had only seen 2 other cars.

A pack? Of Emus was upon us. Around 8.

We were quiet but as they got to about a metre away they realised we were between them and where they wanted to go. Much noise and feather ruffling they backed up, regrouped, then in a single line passed the other side of the car glaring at us as they passed. Very funny.

 

[Pushka]

Much bumping later we made our way back the river bed. Some other critters we saw.


This guy was gorgeous

 

[Major]

I think a bunch of emus is a mob

 

[love_the_life]

Are you in a four wheel drive? Not too enamoured by the snake but the other wildlife is cute (goannas can be mean critters too though).

 

[Pushka]

Tiguan it is Dame. Very popular - um VW - not diesel though.

 

[eastwest101]

Thanks for the pics Pushka.
We lived for four years in nearby Leigh Creek which serviced a brown coal mine.

No glamping for us though - we regularly explored the surrounding area in our little camping trailer.

Fifa - you're probably aware the final Xmas Pagent at Leigh Creek will be on in a few weeks, quite a few ex-residents coming up for the last one, I will miss it but will see if I can dig up some photos from people who I know who will be there.

 

[love_the_life]

Tiguan it is Dame. Very popular - um VW - not diesel though.

That will make it a bit easier for travel through the area. Perhaps I should leave my little old Barina home???? Retirement is agreeing with me so far......

 

[Pushka]

That will make it a bit easier for travel through the area. Perhaps I should leave my little old Barina home???? Retirement is agreeing with me so far......

Absolutely need a 4WD to get to the best places. Lucky duck on retirement too.

We arrived for our last night and decided to have fun with our neighbours.


Crows make so much noise especially at sunrise. This was a particularly large - mob?.
We had eaten all our worms so tried out chips

And a big lump of cheese



He flew away with it followed closely by his mob.

 

[Pushka]

Mum feeding the baby.


We had gathered a large number of insects on our car grill. The crows saw the bugs and then a few of them spent the next few minutes cleaning them off the grill.

Next morning, there was this tiny spongy ball thing with small indents. Given our tent was the last in the row and no one other than the cleaner comes near it during the day, and there were only three tents out of 20 that had guests - did the crows leave us a present? It wasn't there when we went to sleep.

 

[Pushka]

Our last night and we had been warned off ordering the leather - er steak.
I have no idea what I ordered - it was truly unmemorable.
This was a Saturday night. At 9pm we were told 'last orders'. Our backs to the bar we looked around shortly afterwards. All the lights had gone off.
Shortly after this a maybe 11 year old girl appeared at our table. She had almost grey white hair in long plaits. Her skin was almost translucent she was so pale. All she said - multiple times - was what had we done with our spoons. Was that the sound of duelling banjoes? We left.

 

[Pushka]

Got back to the tent and realised I had lost our key. It was pitch black. I had the key in my hand when I was trying to photograph this lot before dinner:



Clearly I had dropped it. Drove back to the main building and all locked up (9.30pm). Duty Manager called on the Hotel phone. Arrived about 20 mins later, then asked where the second key was. Dunno? Only been given one or else we wouldn't been here. Given they charge people $110 for lost keys and clearly someone hadn't, he was also peed off.

Told us to go back to the tent and he'd open it up with the master. I decided to use the phone torch and do another search while we waited for him. Of course I found it. When he arrived I didn't fess up

 

[love_the_life]

It's a murder of crows - rather an unusual collective noun. I wouldn't have been fessing up that you found the key either.

 

[Pushka]

The next day we spoke to a couple at breakfast. They told us the rate they were paying. It was almost half what we were paying for the exact same package. Now, I know this happens all the time but I decided to ask about it at reception.

As I had been (almost) happy to pay the original rate I decided a dumb-blonde approach was best. Yes gents, we do use this approach sometimes. (Although after losing the key maybe I qualified as dumb blonde)

So I asked 'just wondering why I didn't qualify for the 3 day special rate'. (The 3 day rate is actually cheaper than paying for 2 nights - so clearly an opportunity there ).

The receptionist said we did - would we like to change? (Ah, no, I want to pay $320 more than I need to). "Yes please" I said sweetly. Done.
MrP asked what took so long. I just smiled.