GOODAY FROM OODNADATTA, STH AUS

Travelling up the Oodnadatta track, arrived at the dusty outpost of Oodnadatta today.  Had a shower and done the washing earlier.

From here I go direct north to Witjira Nat Park approx (200ks nth) on the SA/ NT border on the western side of the  Simpson Desert. Quite remote there. To the north west is Alice Springs approx 500 ks, but not going there.

After that I will go back south to Oodnadatta and then west 200 ks to Coober Pedy.  The opals and underground houses,shops, church etc should be interesting.

My new telstra internet device is not working here or the previous 2 towns as there are no mobile towers out here.  Bad service.  I am using a wifi service at the roadhouse atm, luckily.  Apparently there is telstra at Coober Pedy.

When I get to Coober Pedy I will upload a lot more pics, in a few more weeks.

Been havin a good time.  Have moved from the mountains of  the Flinders Ranges to the more flatter country north.  Lake Eyre was real cool.   I walked out a fair way, approx 4 ks walking on the salt pan surface.  It was like walking on real rough ice at the skating rink but not slippery but moist on the surface.  Suureal feeling.  The salt surface glimmered in the sunshine.

Since Lake Eyre I have been travelling up the Oodnadatta track.  Its a big wide dirt and sandy road, rough at times, lots of creek crossings but is kept well graded by the Govt.  Weather has been mostly 11 to 18 and sunny mostly during the day which is nice.  A bit chilly without the sun.

Havn't gone from shorts to trackpants yet as it is still not freezing at nite like it was around Innamincka and Birdsville last winter...

Here is a pic of Lake Eyre salt surface shimmering

HEY BLOGWATCHERS..FROM THE NORTHERN FLINDERS RANGES..

Hi, I just came out of the Gammon Ranges Nat Park in the northern flinders ranges..Been there for last 1.5 wks.  I am Leigh Creek approx 600 ks north of Adelaide atm.  From here I am heading up (all dirt roads) to Marree which is 110 ks from here. Then driving through a pastoral station to the bottom end of Lake Eyre, then back to Marree, then heading north up the Oodnadatta track to the Northern territory border which is approx 1100 ks.

Today I activated a telstra broadband wifi device, I had bought in Adelaide as there is no optus in the outback..So now have telstra broadband internet but no mobile phone access.  so pls don't bother ringin or texting me on my optus phone, its no go for a fair while yet.

Its quite a rugged remote, dry place but quite attractive place to hang out with lots of wildlife....

Hey you wouldn't believe it, I was trekkin through the bush in the Nat Park, and around the corner was this dude.  He turns out to be the brother of the wildlife tv presenter, David Attenborough....His name is Stuart Attenborough and he is trekkin around the outback doing video programs on the environment for the BBC in England!!!

He told me his video of the area where i met him is on youtube, so click on the link here to see it..

Click on here.. http://youtu.be/G4LY3Cz127Y

Also I met 2 dudes who were bushwalking, I boiled some water for their cups of tea.  They told me they were camped in another part of the Nat Park and come see them if I was going past.  Well about 5 days later I drop in to their camp and they have 1 nite left and they invited me to dinner, roast lamb and veges, yummo..Then they gave me their leftover 3 chicken breast bits plus leftover potatoes,carrots, garlic and onions, yowww.  So last nite i did a chicken and hokkein noodles stir fry.  Not bad for an outback meal...

Will Post some pictures when i can, maybe later on...