This year was particularly good to me as I managed a number of trips away, despite the high fuel prices.
In April I led an ‘expedition’ out to the
Cleland Hills, 350km west of
Alice Springs, in the
Gibson Desert. Quite bit of Off Track driving was involved which resulted in numerous punctures. Nevertheless, our party enjoyed a great
campsite at the base of Mt Winter and viewed a variety of rock art and artefacts, relics of the ancients who lived in the area 20,000 years ago. Read all about it in my website in the story “In Search of Antiquity”
After conclusion of the
Gibson Desert trip and a change in participants, I led another ‘expedition’ out to the Geographical Centre of the
Simpson Desert via Mt Dare and the French Line. The trek took us 90km north of the French Line through trackless country over a very windswept desert landscape. My main aim of this trip was to search for a
plaque I had placed in
the desert 19 years ago. We spent less time than anticipated in the Centre and I failed to locate the
plaque. Read all about in my website “A Hard Trek in
the Desert”
In June I led a trip with friends in convoy, along the Anne Beadell Hwy,
David Carnegie Road,
Eagle Hwy, cross-country to the Calvert Ranges, the CSR,
Talawana Track, north to
Marble Bar, east to Punmu and then west along the Kidson Track. The homeward journey took us along the WA coast to
places we had not been before, inland via Mt Augustus, Meeka,
Sandstone,
Menzies, Kal, and then east again along the Nullarbor. We were out for 56 days and bush camped for 49 of them. My account of the trip can be read on my website under "Western Deserts 2006".
We managed a trip to
Melbourne in October, catching up with EO friends along the way, viewing an Art Exhibition at the National Gallery and enjoying a shindig at Mrs Al’s(of EO fame). Later in the month I did some Digital Mapping for Warraweena Conservation
Park in the
Flinders Ranges and this is has now been added to TREKNOTES here in EO under the headings Angepena
Goldfields Track and Copper Track
During November I had another unexpected trip into the
Flinders Ranges when an EO mate had a slight mishap (not threatening) out there and needed to be rescued. We did the Mt Gill Track on Warraweena while we were in the vicinity.
For 07 I am involved with the National EO Gathering at Warraweena, am planning yet another ‘expedition’ out to the Geo Centre of the
Simpson Desert (last one) in July and then spending a leisurely month travelling and exploring Tasmania.
Another mega trek to the west is envisaged for 08.
It has been a busy year. I am ‘Mr Fixit’ for our Regional Art Centre and have to do the books as
well. I finally finished painting our house having started in 1999..lol. House repairs are never ending. I bought a special digital scanner in September to scan all of my slides to digital format. I have now done 4000 with another 2000 plus, to go. It is a slow process but
well worth the effort.
Health-wise, I have recovered fully from my last TKR operation, and now have full mobility and am able to walk unaided. Arthritis in most joints still plays havoc with my wellbeing and I am in pain every day, but when I see or hear of other people with more debilitating ailments, I tend to think that my troubles are trivial and put up with it. It seems to be the price we pay for surviving beyond 60…lol
It has been a great year on ExplorOz. I have gained some knowledge, imparted some to you, and have generally steered clear of controversies…hahahaha. My database of EO friends has grown and I have caught up during the year with many of you. My thanks and best wishes extends to David, Michelle, family and staff, for providing such a dynamic website for the enjoyment of thousands of people.
Judith and I would like to thank you all for your friendship throughout the year and wish you seasons greeting and an enjoyable 2007.
Take care
Cheers