G'day All,
Just back from 10 day trip
Adelaide-Dalhousie-
Birdsville-
Adelaide. In other words, a west to east
Simpson Desert crossing. Nothing patricularly remarkable in that, I realise. However, I thought that I would share with you a few observations. They are neither good or bad, right or wrong, just some brief features of the trip.
Weather - absolutely magnificent : minus 2 degrees to about 22 degress. No clouds seen for 9 days -of particular interest - no flies -
well OK, last day near Big Red a few, but bugger all. No wind to speak of - either in the
camp (sometimes can be caused by excesses of tucker), or whilst touring.
Traffic - I was surprised at the volume of traffic coming from east to west. This included tag alongs, and the Fergusson Tractor club complete with approx 5 little Fergies. A significant number of
trailers were observed, but all seemed to be coping and dunes were not too badly knocked about or damaged.
Wild flowers - absolutely sensational. Having been aware of recent rains in the desert, this was a prime motivator in going at this time. The vast distances of predominately yellowtop (Fleshy groundsel), poached egg daisies and scented cress, in flower, were amazing. Loved the Stuart's pea on the dune tops. Also amazing was the huge number of navy worms on the tracks, where it appears they prefer to be rather than in the adjacent plant populations! Also of note were the magnificent gidgee swales. What a top fuel, used of course in minimum quatities to
cook on. (Traveller's hint - if you do have a fire, please cover the ashes & evidence with sand, rather than just leaving a mound of black & white ashes & charcoal.)
Wild Life - from
brolgas to bustards to crows to wrens, but very little in the desert proper. I imagine this is due to the lack of surface water. Saw small mobs of camels twice. The occassional 'roos and emus, dog tracks & bird tracks in the sand were regulary observed. Most wild life was observed on the margins of the desert proper.
A few other observations -
Station cattle in good nic.
Oodnadatta &
Birdsville tarcks in sound condition.
Prado Turbo diesel auto (my mate's bus I travelled in) a neat & economical performer in the sand & slower going. Makes one reconsider the arguements for manual Vs auto.
Big Red = play pen.
Venus & a waxing moon, along with skies so clear we got confused about which stars were which. Much easier to see the major stars from the city!
Eyre Creek is beautiful, as is the
Warburton Creek/River.
Birdsville appears to be expanding - new
bakery & new houses.
Lots of stone
cairns just north of Maree on the B'ville Track.
Met Dean Koopman,who has walked with 3 camels from
Broome to
Quorn, but is having serious issues with roadside glass fragments getting into the camels' feet.
The enjoyment of most travellers was palpable.
Cheers,
Rick.