Another Day in Sunshine



The newest arrival

Today Will continued his work in the Kenworth shed.  A bit of polishing here, a bit of maintenance there.  I left him to it and went to work in the Buntine shed.  This year's dinner is being held in this shed so trucks were on the move!  I managed to grab a couple of snaps while I was unpacking, dusting and photographing items for this years silent auction. 
A chat around Birdsville had us gaining a few travel tips for tomorrow - sounds like the East McDonald's has won out - one of my favorite spots from last year.  So we'll once again make the most of the fridge, pack a picnic and some snacks, the camera and the map and see where we end up!





Removing trucks and vehicles
from the Buntine Shed

Items for auction

What once was old becomes new again

Before leaving home we discussed if holidaying in the same place for a second time would be a wise idea or would we be in for a disappointment.  Honestly, the first few days after setting up camp I really wondered if we’d made a mistake.  The crew around the camp fire is much smaller than, and not as bubbly, as the year’s before.  The scenery, well what is there left to photograph? I was so sure we’d never be back that I photographed every blade of grass here and within walking distance at least 10 times!! 

As the days go on I feel myself settling into the rhythm of this year’s holiday.  The other evening when the neighbours invited us for dinner reminded me that you don’t need a lot of people to be surrounded by special people.  The last two days we’ve worked back in the Kenworth shed – an easy rhythm of knowing how things works and what goes on has fallen over me, which is actually quite nice and reassuring. There’s still trucks to move and wash, Kenworth's to be jump started with the wonderful Nissan, mischief and laughs to be had and plenty of floor mopping and fingerprint removal too. 

Moving in a new display -
 some extra ballast was needed on the pallet jack 

The first few days I was missing that whole sense of excitement you get when everything around you is new.  Now I’m starting see that this year can still be new and in unexpected ways – last year I knew the nature, the job, the experience would be new now each day I get to be surprised by just what is the ‘new’. 



Kath, Vonda and Di

Yesterday two others and I had a lovely ladies lunch at Yaye’s Café at the art gallery precinct (it wasn’t finished when we left here).  We didn’t do ladies lunches last year – a new treat for this year.  Tonight we are going back to the Gillen club for our second dinner out already – last year we hardly ever went out – a night off cooking, still with great company – anther new way of doing this year’s holiday. We’ve already seen more clouds this year than we did in the first five weeks last year – they make the sunrise lovely.  I was so fixated on the green parrots last year I think I missed some of the other less eye catching birds so it’s nice to notice the ‘new’ birds. Last night Will and I had a movie night cuddled up watching a DVD in bed, we didn’t make time for that last year – another simple nice but new for this year. 

So as the sun peaks over the familiar rail carriage in front of the van I’ll make my way to the bbq set up in the annex at just the right angle that I can cook breakfast while standing in the morning sun – another new for this year.

A little jump start needed
(Not for the black one!!!)



Quality not quantity

Monday evening once again involved happy hour/s and us enjoying a lovely evening sitting out together – no fire pit this time – the evening was too mild. The crew is smaller than last year, but it’s not quantity it’s quality that counts, and we once again we truly have that.

Amonitor took centre stage – we’d been given a copy of last year’s reunion DVD by Malcolm when he arrived at the Kenworth shed.  It was wonderful to see flashes of old friend’s vehicles and familiar faces – hearing the address by Craig Membrey he gave at the Women’s Breakfast once again sent tingles down my spine and other’s apparently, as a round of applause broke out.  Malcolm said there was a familiar hand leaning out a black truck waving ferociously in the parade – he’s obviously watched it closely and yes, he was right about that hand. 

Feeling my cheeky self when one of the ladies, who we’ve just met, said she was off to check the roast I leaned over and said “Hope there’s enough for 12!”  No smart comment came back but after the DVD was finished and I’d popped on a pot of potatoes and pumpkin I heard her husband Don calling out “Kath, Kathy?” 

“Yes Don?”

“Maureen doesn’t have enough for 12 but she’s got enough for 5, come on down.”  She’d already invited one of the volunteers who is having a bit of a rough trot down for a meal.  How embarrassed was I and humble that someone would make that sort of effort when we hardly know them.  “No, no we can’t,” I vehemently said. 

“Well, she’s put extra vegies on, yer, you will,” Don insisted kindly and so we did!

And what a lovely evening we had.  Don and Maureen have volunteered all over the country for different organisations – Blaze Aid, Church groups which has seen him complete many electrical jobs on missions and other activities as well.  They are both gentle, generous souls, looking to give back to the world while enjoying retirement and seeing this country.  I thought Maureen was about my age – she’s 10 years older – being generous must be good for your looks I reckon! 

Bushy, the other dinner guest is off a cane farm and has lived a varied life – running shops in outback missions, harvesting his cane and much more.  It must be an incredibly difficult job juggling the diversity of volunteers a place like this sees – some youngish, physically fit, some recently retired and not quite ready to let go of being in charge of their domain, others finding cheap accommodation until they can limp their way home.  A challenge for any organisation for sure!

A slow Sunday

Our day started like many others since we left home - with a sleep in for Will and a lay in for me.  I was awake so I grabbed my book - I'd saved the last few pages for the morning when I could really enjoy it. Would you believe it, the book ended with a 'To Be Continued'. Aahhh, note to self, always check if books are part of a series before packing in caravan. Luckily my good friend has the sequel waiting at home for me. (Thanks Rick)
The morning saw Will boil the kettle, read a book, sit a bit longer and read a book. All the while I'd showered, had the washing on, was planning what to organise for lunch when all of a sudden I stopped and took a breath. What was I doing? Who was expecting me to be the most organised person on site?  Not Will, so why was I rushing and planning?  "Which will you do," I proudly asked, "prepare breakfast or hang washing?" Answer came quick as a wink and totally expected, "I'll do the washing thanks," so I set about preparing breakfast. Then I sat and sat some more. I picked my next novel and began a flick through my photos (yep, the next photo book is being planned - sorry Kaz, probably another 100 pager - I know how much you love helping me lol)
Then I realised I was restless - hmm, how did I do this sitting still relaxing thing last year??  That's what's different - last year I rushed through all of my must do, must see places that this year we have time to sit - so that's what I did. I moved the chair and computer to the shade, sat with bare toes, a t-shirt and enjoyed the warm air as I played with my photos some more.
The afternoon was spent with our good mates Vonda and Graeme at the legal off street drag races and burn out competition. 'If only I had my ute' moaned Will, "Yer," replied Vonda, "We'd show 'em how to do it". All the while I was thinking how grateful I was the poor old Nissan wasn't up to burnouts or  drags.  Then back to the van for some more sitting and relaxing as well as a catch up with a few people from home. (Fergus is enjoying his company this year!)  
Will set about putting up our tent for Kings Canyon just to check it. Luckily Di stepped in to explain how these poles go on the outside rather than the inside where he was struggling to get them to fit. Plenty of jokes were made around the fire tonight wondering which one of us was in the dog house. Even though it's only meant to get down to 7degrees tonight I think it's best we both sleep inside tonight.

A Super Saturday



A tree in the creek at Simpsons Gap

After a lazy sleep in we went and stocked the new fridge with picnic supplies and hit the West McDonald Ranges.  A feast for the eyes and heart-warming for both the soul and the body!  Simpson Gap saw us spy rock wallabies – they were so hard to see unless they were moving!  Last year we found very few places with water so it was lovely to see the cool pool reflecting the sides of the gap.



Simpsons Gap

A rock wallaby - look hard!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dry creek bed at Simpsons Gap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild flower at Standley Chasm

Then on up the road to Standley Chasm we went.  Will wasn’t feeling great so I wondered down to the chasm by myself – a great opportunity to stop and take lots of photos of wild flowers.  The sun was just coming over the top of one wall of the chasm, which made the walls reflect an amazing ochre colour.  After a while I chose to head on back so that I had time and space to myself, another opportunity to spot wildflowers!! 

Standley Chasm

Flower at Standley Chasm

After our picnic lunch sitting by the empty creek at Standley Chasm we headed to Ellery Creek Big Hole along Namatjira Drive – a ‘fresh’ water hole??  The walkers from Alice Springs were keen and took a dip – but the dead fish had us a little worried.  The air bubbles coming from down deep had as guessing what they could be when another tourist said there would be plenty of turtles in there – so maybe that was it.  It was a gorgeous spot but the poor water quality lessened the appeal somewhat. 

 

Ellery Creek Big Hole

It was time to head back to camp then as a communal bbq tea was planned.  After making some potato salad and catching up on yesterday’s blog I joined the crew around the camp fire, the music playing softly in the background.  This was what I had remembered!! Clear skies, no winds, laughter, story-telling, finding out where others had come from – I think we may be the only Victorians- NSW, WA, Queensland and plenty of Tasmanians were there.  I’ve snuck off early to put my thoughts to paper in the comfort of hearing the laughs continue, Will’s chuckle booming over the yard feeling the most at home since arriving here 5 days ago.

Friday 5th August

After a few hours work in the shed yesterday tidying the trays of trucks, pumping up tyres and continuing to wipe and detail the old cars we went for a drive after lunch.  4WDing was the plan, but as we passed the sign to the recycle centre we looked at each other and nodded assent.  Bargains were calling – and found.  Shot glasses (as requested by others) $4, a compressor so we can let our tyres up and down like real 4WD people $15 (needs a bit of work but nothing Will can’t manage when we get home!) and an empty tool case to be turned into a tool kit $5.  Everyone was happy!

Next stop – not quite so cheap but now I know we are serious about Cape York – we bought a WAECO – deal of the century the man assured us.  We happily wheeled our 50 litre fridge to the car pleased we’d paid less than $1000, with cover etc.  Our gorgeous neighbour exclaimed when we got home – “My mate bought one of those yesterday for $720” – Oh well, it was still cheaper than the $1300 one I’d priced locally.   A quiet afternoon saw Will setting up his tools, organising the fridge and me going for my self-promised daily 30 minute walk.

 
Then a quick phone call had the courtesy bus from the Gillen Club arriving in 45minutes to take the 4 couples who were here last year out for dinner.  A lovely evening later we were delivered home after a satisfying meal and a lovely catch up!

First Day of Volunteering

Today we popped over for the 9.00am volunteers meeting to see what work we had been assigned.  Will was assigned the mezzanine area – sweep the floor (back in familiar territory I thought!), detail a few cars (Rolls Royce, T-model Ford, a Chev or two etc.), sweep the floors and clear the back of the trucks in the Buntine shed.  Kate – “Oh, no jobs for you today, but be here at 10am for your induction.”   Hee hee I thought for 30 seconds then said “If it’s OK I’ll help Will for a while,” the washing was already hung out, the dishes already washed and the shopping sorted. Why not spend some time helping. 

The Indian

So off to the mezzanine area I went – funny how some days you are just flooded with memories.  The night before it was memories of Grandma and going down her cellar (spooky, but I never wanted to say no when I was given the chance) to get a jar of salted beans- BRIGHT green, preserved as fresh as the day they were picked in a mountain of salt – not quite like the pale items that flowed out of the tin of beans I’d opened – but enough resemblance to make me think of her home in Phillipson Street.  Today the memories were of Grandad as I read the Furphy’s quote on the door (where we had to sign out the cleaning items) – ‘Good better best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best’.  Then when we were off to ‘detail’ the cars on the mezzanine floor and memories of Uncle Roy flooded back.  I honestly can’t say if Rolls Royce and old Fords were his things, although I think Kyle has inherited some models of these types of cars– but these beautiful machines had me thinking of him.  Will also pointed out that the old motorbike I was wiping was the same as in the movie ‘The World’s fastest Indian’ – which made me think of my sister who had insisted we watch it – which I’m glad we did as we both enjoyed it immensely.

I took a deep breath as I sprayed Windex on the windscreens hoping I wouldn’t cause any damage to these expensive old car’s ducos or paint jobs.  When we left there at 12.30pm the cars windscreens, white walled tyres and soft tops were looking better than we arrived not to mention the floor – so we felt pretty good about our day’s work.  We also checked out the International hearse as instructed and Will decided how he would go about pumping up the tyres then it was time for home for lunch. 

A Chev

Rolls Royce

After a bite of lunch in the van we decided to go for a walk – well, I decided to go for a walk and Will agreed to join me on his bike.  A walk to the Stuart Hwy and just beyond was lovely – sunshine warming our face (wishing we’d applied sunscreen) in a long sleeve t-shirt was good for the soul.   A nana nap and a read of a book followed as well as the mandatory ‘happy HOUR?!?!’ which saw Will cooking the already prepared patties and vegies for dinner.  A further read of books, a bit of blogging with the heater well and truly turned up saw an end to another pleasant evening.  (Temperature is a little different to last year – we were down to one doona and never used the heater once, but at minus 1 this morning the heater was turned on at around 6am as we cuddled close together under both our summer and winter doonas!)  The afternoon clear blue sky made up for any short comings of the mornings temperatures – welcome back to the Territory.

Kermit - as Vina calls him with his knees
around his ears as he pedals

Home among the gum trees-
love the blue sky




 

Our van is beside the Buntine's Truck