Blog 11 - Rawnsley park Station - Flinders Ranges - Blinman - Thurs 16th July 2015

Blog 11 – Rawnsley Park Station – Flinders Ranges – Blinman – Thursday 16^th July 2015

My former belly dancing injury woke me in the early hours. I'm not joking, hip bursitis took hold when I practiced the ancient art of belly dancing and returns frequently especially when I am stupid enough to go on a crazy four wheel drive adventure. I braved the pain for a bit, as I felt the cold air outside of our two quilts would be a far worse feat.  But of course it wasn't so I hobbled out of bed in search of pain killers. Bonnie, thought this was time for a walk which I quickly informed her it was not. This may seem harsh, but she had me outside at 3 in the morning indicating she needed an urgent wee. Once outside it was pretty clear she just wanted to go have fun chasing kangaroos or playing with next doors dog or generally being an idiot. 

Not long after I get back into bed Moose gets dressed in usual moose gear - tshirt and jeans but adds a thick jacket before taking Bon out. He sprints back in for car keys as the sun is coming out (first time since we arrived here) from the cloud cover, giving him a peek of the possible changing colours when its rays hit the Rock, that he has wanted to see. 

When he pops back in he suggests we hook up the van and move on to Blinman. Yesterday we had thought we'd do a day trip there leaving the van here but now we will tow the van, check out the town - and please god let there be a coffee machine there, then find somewhere nice to stop. 

Guard dog Bonnie

A lark sits on a branch of the tree trilling a song for us as we pack up. 

Bonnie had found an embankment that she can sit on and survey all around us. She hears a bird call or someone's voice and freezes, tail up face pointing in the direction of the noise until she's sure everything is as it should be 

With the sun out scenic flights are buzzing every half hour or so. 

Bonnie is a tad confused as a group of birds seem to be imitating Moose’s whistle for her. She's keeping close to camp while she works it out

Pack up Time

We packed up and I spent half an hour doing a quick clean. Moose tidied the outside drying off ground sheets and sweeping mud out of the car as he went.

Bonnie in travelling position

 We left Rawnsley Park at 10.45 am. The sun still shining but hasn't much heat to share. White fluffy clouds and blue sky have replaced the heavy grey skies of the last few days. There is a frequent icy breeze blowing to remind us its still winter. 

As we pull up at Hucks lookout, I get out to take photos and there is the surprise of a vibrating phone. I no longer take phone signal for granted. A couple of quick texts with Jess then we are offline again. We drive through Flinders national park which has a mix of flat treeless plains, soft rolling hills and bloody huge rock formations plus mountains. When there is trees, there are alot of native pines and old knarled white gums with twisted trunks having moved with the wind and followed the sunlight. 

Blinman is a welcoming little mining town. We pulled in next to some ruins while Moose fixed some wire in the van. Bonnie and I patiently waited. Once finished with his electrical work we headed to the pub as this was the reason for a stop in Blinman. Not for a drink but to follow up on a bit of Moose history. In his last year of high school (matric) Moose came to Blinman for a school trip. He had entered a race to run straight up the steep hill which looks over town, run around a monument and back down where the winners name would be written in a register in the Pub. Moose surprised himself and his class by not only winning but braking record at the time so he had the honour of being written up in the great book. Sadly, on asking we found out the book had disappeared in the 1990s.

 

Cottage 1 on Heritage walk

We enjoyed lunch at the pub where Bonnie provided petting therapy again, to several grownups and kids. Walking down the road Moose was saying how a lot of country towns have a caravan park behind the pub. At that moment I looked up a drive way beside the pub and sure enough it was a sign for a caravan park. We took a look, although not very scenic it looked like a good place to stop. While Moose set the van to rights I popped over to the tourist bureau where I met Peter an ex Mandurah WA resident. He’s quite the character   I’ve left him searching through records to see if Moose’s name is there if it's not he wants moose to supply information about the run plus if possible a picture of the trophy which is a stupid 50c ships anchor with a thermometer on it that I have been trying to throw out for years.

Renovated cottage on heritage walk

By now Bonnie is fairly climbing the walls so we headed up a track behind the buildings of the town. A sign said it was a Heritage walk - Bonnie though found chasing kangaroos and rabbits more fun than old buildings. Moose chasing after her at one stage, only for him to be running down a hill calling Bonnie and her to come walking up the other side to me so I was walking along calling Moose. 

The general store boasts of selling great coffee so I nabbed Moose’s wallet and headed there as he walked up the drive way to the van. Disappointment rained down on me as I approached the verandah and seen two ladies with their hands raised up to the side of their faces and foreheads touching the window, peering inside. We all commiserated on the fact we'd gone for a walk BEFORE getting a coffee. Then stood around talking. They were out for day after camping in one of the nearby stations. There was a 78 year old elegant lady from the Adelaide Hills, her daughter from Canada and daughter in law from Korea plus 2 gorgeous granddaughters. The men folk were around and about but keeping to themselves. The family were all together to celebrate Grandpa's 80th. How cool is that! We said our good byes with the thought that we'd probably meet again over coffee in the general store 

Moose and Bonnie are done out so the van is quiet except for my tapping. 

We had dinner at the pub which has a huge dining room with an open fire but as there were only 5 diners including us, it was a front bar smaller fire for us. 

Bonnie exhausted after her Kangaroo chasing

Walking home from the pub, which is into its back yard we picked out stars and planets clearly in the sky. Bonnie had obviously used up all her energy as she was fast asleep on her mat next to the heater vent. 

Running Moose & Typist Moz signing out x