Last dinner was with our new friends from Rozelle. They followed us on the Bridle Path yesterday because they thought their initial lookout hike was not enough and if us two oldies could mess with the rocks and the rain then they could. Sadly she hurt her knees with the rock jumping (I tell you it is a highly specialised art), but gladly they were able to walk the big mountain today.
So it was story time over dinner about our passions in life, and about life in general. It was a special evening and we parted with a promise to catch up just a little west of the Anzac Bridge.
Today we walked a long way down a creek where the slope is hard to ascertain when there is no water, but the sand did appear to be swept one way. While Malloga Falls was a gorge, it was a destination a ‘destination’, ie. the walk went for a long way until the gorge was reached. On the other hand Bunyeroo Gorge was a journey (the 4km walk itself), imposing 600 million year old high rock formations guiding us to nothing but a wide open creek. As we walked along the creek it was interesting to see hundreds of young gums thriving on higher Sandy ground in the creek’s centre.
It was a geological walk and even though this topic isn’t a particular interest to us, it became an interest because the gorge itself inspired us. So we took photographs of the poles with the name of rocks on them, and will use them to decipher other rocks. We will also be meeting up with an old uni Geologist friend straight after the walk so we hope that we can learn more from his extensive knowledge in the field.
On our way north to our new home in Leigh Creek, and after our adventures above, we stopped for awhile in the highest town in SA – Blinman. There was little to see but a huge hill overlooking the town. I hadn’t any climbing behind me today (we had run out of mountains) so I climbed to the top where the local kids had built a memorial (stone) to world war veterans.
The rest of the road trip was stunning but a little scary as the dirt roads were so steep with no barriers so at times it was very slow but magnificent views were the undoubted reward. We also saw what they called the Great Wall of China – bare hillsides topped by rocks similar to formations we had seen everywhere.
Leaving the Flinders for the first time in a while, it became dead flat as far as we could see, until we arrived at our new digs in Vulkathunha Gammon Ranges National Park – our mission: to find more mountains.
Hello dear C&W
appreciating the artistic shot if the road leading to the distant mountains. And of those birds in barren-looking tree. Is that huge mountain the one you climbed? You’re curiously about.those very ancient rocks is probably infecting your readers.
Great to read about your activities xx
I should comment that I wrote scared instead of sacred above! I’m sure you realised what I meant.
Hi Will and Coralie
Just back from Sydney after a few days there to see family and celebrate Anjali’s twelfth birthday. So I’ve now caught up with you blogs for the last several days, and take license to make some comments:
Day 16 – St Mary’s Peak – I liked you comment re acknowledgement of local elders saying the peak is sacred and preferring people not to climb it. When at Uluru years ago, we had problems with so many people climbing it, despite the wishes of first nations people to see it as scared and not do that. Of course, now it’s finally closed.
Day 17 – Heysen Trail. I liked your references to 800 million year-old boulders (give or take a few years), hidden gorges, mountain paths, and the ubiquitous gum trees all being works of art, and the great photo of that valley – presumably just before than hailstorm(s).
Day 18 – Bridle Gap. Hope your backs are okay now – seems like you’ve had some trouble with them. I also assume you’re not like that geologist, collecting stones – wouldn’t take long for your backpacks to be totally burdensome.
Day 19 – Rawnsley Bluff – nice to have caught up again with those nice new Balmain neighbour friends. We expect to hear more about them in the future.
Day 20 – Bunyeroo Gorge – sorry you ran out of mountains!! I’m sure you’ll find some again soon. Happy continued journeying dear friends. Hopefully not too much rain or bitter cold.
xxx
Running out of mountains but still rivers to cross there. I knew nothing of the Flinders until I began reading your missives. You’re going to be experts in all things rocks at de end. Digging around I read up some more on places you’ve been to. Stories about Stuart’s desert pea and it’s symbolism for Aborigines connected to the frontier wars. It’s day may come when Australians wear it rather than the poppy. Similar to us moving Sydney opera house to being known as Bennelong (think La Scala, the Met, Covent Garden..)
Continue traveling well there xx