2024 Mum's Journal from 1992

Hello from, sort-of sunny, Carrieton SA.

It has been quite a while since my last blog and I decided to have another crack at letting you know where and why we are travelling again this year. 

After 2 years of Covid 19 restricting our travels, then building our house last year, it is now time to complete the journey we set out to do about 3 years ago... to follow my Mum's Journal written over 30 years ago, onto the Central Desert Road incorporating NT and WA states. 

We set out, just on a week ago, with 2 other couples with Wedderburn our first night out with a slight frosty morning greeting us the first morning. Diesel heaters received their first work out, with many more to come. 

Rufus River monument to aboriginal massacre in 1941

From our first day it was onto Merbien Common, a place we have stayed at many times beforehand, right on the Murray River. We also caught up with another couple, we have known for years and have just rekindled our friendship. They are on their way to Newman WA to catch up with their son who works there. We suggested they tag a long with us for as far as they want, but have warned them we usually take the roads less travelled. 

They have continued to here, after doing their first bit of gravel road from Rufus River NSW into Renmark. We have now initiated them into the tyre control aspects of travelling with vans and cars on not so good gravel/stony roads. All came through unscarred! They seem happy enough to continue.

Lake Victoria NSW where Rufus River exits

 After our stock of veggies and fruit in Renmark we headed to Morgan to show our new travellers the old Morgue on the banks of the river Murray. Unfortunately the old 'body' in the morgue has been removed and not much was to be found, except leaves and bird droppings. 

Campfire at Rufus River

After travelling to where we thought we would end our days trekking at Mount Mary Hotel, our navigator became disorientated and instead we ended at Worlds End. 

Tyre control on Rufus River road

Mind you the beautiful scenery at Burra Gorge, a.k.a. Worlds End, made up for any discrepancies in our navigation. 

Sign says it all!

The girls in sunshine in Burra

Burra Gorge camp site

Capitol Theatre - Peterborough, now a cafe

Relaxing at Carrieton

Burra was next on our list to stopover and check all the beautiful buildings and history in this wondrous place of mining heritage. Also the obligatory Pie - for some, and Coffee - for others, stop. One of our ladies is rating the coffee as we go along. Unfortunately, she is finding the standard declining, so I'm not sure where we go for improvement from here. 

A short detour through Terowie brought some smiles to our faces at the abstract, but creative art works found in a paddock, just within the town limits. 

From here to Peterborough where ablutions and more eating was had. Finally we landed in Carrieton to catch up with some mates from other times in our lives and also a catch up on the domestic chores, reading and whatever else needed doing. The highlight so for on our trip was a personal music show by Peter, who sang some fabulous oldies we were all bopping along with. Some of our members even taking to the gravel for a quick two-step. 

Peter performing for us exclusively. 

Till next time, I hope you enjoy travelling along with us.