Camping in the caravan park at Woomera. Woomera is just shy of 500km north of Adelaide or 375km south from Coober Pedy. It's known for being a remote RAAF base but most specifically a missile test range. The town was closed to the public ie only defence personnel only, but that has changed and is now open to all. But the land in the area, assume 100's km's in area is probited land used for the missile testing. Roxby Downs is also close by and services the Olympic Dam mine. Iron ore, copper, gold and of cause uranium.
So like all good caravan parks in the outback, they have a bar. Opens at 4pm and tourists come in. Cheap camping fees of $10 per night (unpowered) but they will be getting extra from me for a few ales. Pure Blonde is $4, so can't complain :)
Leaving Mt Barker this morning was an adventure of it's own. From Mt Barker, you have to climb over and down some hills (assume the Adelaide hills) on a 3 lane hwy speed zoned 110km. To top off the pissing down rain, it was foggy. I could see the tail lights of the car in front of me, but had trouble seeing the car in front of him. And like all helmets, my glasses and visor fogged up. No carnage though. All the cars drove to the conditions and never did anyone had to slam on brakes etc. I assume it's business as usual during winter time for those commuting to work. If Melb or Syd had those conditions, I suspect the road would be closed due to several bingles every day. Patience was required and not road rage.
I took a break at a rest stop and this caterpillar slid past. Between my legs and straight to the rear tyre of the bike. He came up to the trye, tried to get up and then decided nope, not tasty, I'm outa here and then went on his merry way. I was surprised at how quickly he slithered along. But given he was slithering in open ground, I wonder how long until a bird takes an interest in a big meal.
This trip is going to be an adventure, but I'm also trying to eat a little better. So the pic below is a rest stop having salmon rolls for lunch. Yum.
This trip is going to be an adventure, but I'm also trying to eat a little better. So the pic below is a rest stop having salmon rolls for lunch. Yum.
The bar, stumbling distance from my tent.
Temp tonight about 6-7 C min and then low 20's :) But it's now 6pm, having had my 2nd beer and contemplating my 3rd (sorry kidding myself - you know I will have another). It's starting to cool down, so I think I will have the dried meal in a bag. Just add boiling water - Chicken Tikka, Curry or Nasi Goering.... hmmmm. It's a 1st for me, so we'll see how they taste.
Just had a beer with the owner of the caravan park & apparently Woomera is a busy town. If it's not jets flying around its bombs (missiles ) going off. All the area is owned by defence. All business is owned by defence. You can only live here if you do 30hrs work per week. Ie a couple can do 20 + 10 hrs. If they dont, they need to leave Woomera within 28 days or seek an extention.
I asked about theft in the park & they laughed and advised they can't remember the last theft. No riff raff in town. So panmiers stay on the bike tonight.
Salmon Rolls ... YUPPIE !!!
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