Day 38 Prominent Hill

The name of this mine site is Prominent Hill, I spent part of my day looking for THE Prominent Hill, but can I tell you that there is none! This land is flat, barren, bare, and dead. I just cant imagine what it would have looked like 100 years ago when Bourke & Wills came through here!

 Lorraine, Panda does not have her own computer, but as she is staying with Dan he reads my blog to her every night. I miss her!

 Sarah, I love Oranges, but not enough to rub orange peel into my skin! Hey imagine if I was up here & found a Poly Waffle (for those of you who don’t know we are hunting for a Poly Waffle whilst on our travels) the flies would go berserk! And as for doing a poll amongst the miners, no offense to my audience but many of them don’t really care too much about who is running the country and only vote because they have to! I’m seriously considering getting into politics, I told my brother in law Brad that I was and he reckons I would be good at it because I am full of S*#T!

 Arama has picked up on a good point, it is sooooo quiet here! I have been here for 4 days now by myself and have been wondering what is wrong, and sure Ness is not here..... But that is it Arama, it is quiet! While I am deep in thought driving along I don’t have someone asking me the answer to a crossword puzzle! I don’t have the constant talking to herself while she does her cross stitch! I don’t have the questions like “What crop is that?” “What type of cows are they?”..... so no wonder I am a bit loopy this week! Hurry back Honey. I need you to keep me sane!

 Tony Abbott seems to be a hot topic, who else can we pick on?

 Going early today as I want to get some pictures of the camp..... Have a look at the one of my car in the car park! Looks so out of place amongst all the 4WD’s Toyota does very well out of the mining industry!

 Goodbye – if you are ever at a mining camp mess..... Make sure you try the gravy! It’s great!

Day 37 Woomera Testing Ground!

Firstly tonight I need to deal with some comments from yesterdays blog!  Karen, since I met my wife I realised that she has the tendency to name inanimate objects! As a responsible husband should I really be encouraging this habit? And Campbell should I choose to support her.... Noble Bar (No Bull Bar) is a really good name, I’m in two minds. Ok Bloggies give us your suggestions for the new discovery here are her specs:

• 2010 Land Rover Discovery
• White
• 3.0 Litre Twin Turbo Diesel
• Did I mention she was White?

Shona I would walk through the valley of slugs, naked & even swim in slug soup rather than be accosted by a million flies outside my room just waiting to eat me and deposit their filth & faeces on me one microbe at a time! By the way.... what really happened to mum’s budgie?

 Sandy W.... Yep, not far from Maralinga where they let the bombs go just for “Fun” actually I reckon a few of the aboriginal workers here are descendants of the locals that were here when the bombs went off! I can tell by the green glow around them! And it permeates through their hi visibility workwear!..... Oh and don’t start an argument with me about Nuclear power..... do you know how much work I could get out of the Nuclear Power industry!

 Nikki... Where the HELL do I get Lavender oil out here? I already told you I am in Hell, there is NO plant life out here whatsoever..... Send me some Lavender oil Double strength Double Quick! The nearest shop is 400km away! There is tea tree, eucalyptus oil and aero guard in the caravan...but guess that aint going to help you now!!

 Rob, you don’t really want to know the questions I get do you?..... Ok you do!... I get the whole gamut of questions, in a previous blog I told you someone asked me if I would consider getting my legs cut off! Others ask the “Sex” question..... (When Ness is with me I always say..... Ill let Vanessa answer that question). People ask me how my boys cope with my situation, I often get religion or miracle cures mentioned, People ask me about my beliefs on stem cell research, What footy team I support, I can guarantee if there is a question you or any of the bloggies want to ask I have had it asked before...... But feel free to ask it as I am happy to share my thoughts and views with you all...... and how dare you question my  confidentiality or morality...... HEHEHE.... Evil laugh!!!!

 Today I read a book..... serious I read a whole book, thought that was a better option than being eaten by flies! Do you think I am becoming quite obsessed with flies and them eating me? Well you get out here and experience what it is really like, I wish I could somehow take a picture of how many flies are here!

 I’m also still worried about our caravan! When we were travelling the 500kg of tinned food was being evenly distributed. Now the caravan is parked in the Caravan park at Pt Augusta I am worried that it will sink in to the ground on one side? Are there any engineers out there that can give me advice? Will I need a tractor to pull it out next week? Campbell the can count is still in the hundreds (of kilo’s that is!)  I thought you would have eaten through the cans when you were stranded on the side of the road.

 Hey I watched 4 Corners last night.... they did a thing on Tony Abbott. Sorry if I offend anyone but he will never be PM. For a start what is with the Speedos? Have any of you seen an overseas Prime Minister or leader pictured in a pair of Speedos? Get real Tony, get a pair of board shorts!  His religion is also a potential vote killer too! ...... Disclaimer! “Just James’s opinion”

 Did I tell you that I went for a swim yesterday? The camp has a great Gym, Tennis courts, Indoor cricket arena & Basketball court, but also a 25M swimming pool. And as my bike is stuck with the caravan I decided to go for a swim. (it has been a while) Now I can’t really swim properly as I don’t kick my feet, so I go through the water on an angle. But I call it swimming. The funny thing was I got out of my wheelchair onto the side of the pool and then just flopped (or fell) into the water..... had my swim, but then getting out of the pool was a bit harder!

 I had to lift myself onto the edge of the pool, then drag a plastic pool lounge next to the pool and lift myself onto that, then lift myself onto the my wheelchair! Hey Flick do you know of any pools with ramps in them? I could just drive in and drive out!

 A couple of the guys that were in today's session were on their “Pyjama” day tonight. This is where they finish day shift and then have a full 24hrs until they start work again. (they finished at 6pm tonight and they don’t start until 6pm tomorrow night) so it gives them a night to get on the turps and sleep all day tomorrow before starting at 6pm the next day.

 They called me over to the bar and offered to buy me a drink, so I had a beer with them and a chat. But then they offered me another and another but I had to say “No Thanks” and you know a part of me would have liked to stay there and drink with them..... But I am also there sharing a safety message and asking them to take responsibility for their own safety. So my message was also reinforced by me saying “Thanks guys but I’ve had enough”

 Have I told you how mad I get at the flies! Can I swear in this blog? Are there blog swearing police? Nikki tell Aunty Julie to get down here with her Lavender Oil!!!

 Ok, ill try and take some photos of the camp tomorrow...... don’t get too excited, have you ever seen footage of a refugee camp..... I’m in it!

 Goodbye – Flies really piss me off!

 So while James has been resting and reading his book...I have driven from the Yarra Valley to Ringwood to Campbellfield to Port Melbourne and back to Valley....all to make sure the new Discovery has all the bits and pieces ready for its maiden journey!!  And  it will continue tomorrow... I really can’t complain as it is an absolutely pleasure to drive.

 Campbell...please note...NO BOLD green, your wish is my command!

James & Vanessa

Day 36 - Prominent Hill SA

Shhhhh! I can’t tell you where I am! I am somewhere in the Woomera Protected Area in SA so legally I cant tell you exactly where I am. Truth be known I don’t bloody know where I am, I just drove up the Stuart Highway & turned right at a sign that says “No Entry”.... Now there is a contradiction for you, what do you do when someone sends you instructions that say Turn right at No Entry sign?..... And then drove 40km on dirt road in a vehicle that is really not suited to dirt roads to end up at the MOST boring looking mine site I have ever been to in my life.

 I personally reckon I am smack bang in the middle of an area where they did the nuclear testing in the 50’s & 60’s because there is not one sign of plant life within 100km of this site!

 But the site itself is a good one, apparently (take note you investor types) the exploratory drilling that this site has done has turned up some pretty impressive results, not sure exactly how it works but they drill deep underground with a hollow drill and remover what they call “Core samples” which are pretty much tubes of dirt as it lies under the surface. They then analyse the core samples to see what it contains. And when a couple of the Geologists were talking about it to me today they were excited. And when a Geo gets excited it is time to invest!..... Ness, Buy more Oz Minerals shares!  (Katrina & Peter B.... is this insider trading?)

 Another interesting feature of this site is that it has a large indigenous & female workforce. They set out to make sure that they employed a lot of people from the local area & also a lot of Women. And guess what.... It works, compared to other sites doing the same thing they have so far recorded a lower injury rate & much less equipment damage & failure rate (you girls are just so much gentler on the equipment)...... Maybe this is the way of the future for mining? Ness hurry up and design that range of industrial clothing for girls..... I reckon we could be on to something here!

 Had a big argument with Brad today (my son Brad) I am sure that if we were face to face it would have been over pretty quickly, but because it was over the phone it blew out into a bigger thing than it really was. After a couple of heated phone calls we both settled down and talked things out & we are all cool again.  So as much fun as this travelling lifestyle is there are times when it sucks to be far away from loved ones and family. I love you Brad sorry for the frustration coming out.

 Hey thanks to those of you who called, emailed or texted me & Ness over the last couple of days, isn’t it funny that sometimes it takes something bad to see who the good people are around us!.... Just an observation!

 The flies here are ridiculous, I seriously believe that they could drive a man (or woman) MAD! They just constantly land in all of your orifices, ears, nose, mouth, eyes, neck any exposed piece of flesh is fair game for the flies, and they are the annoying ones that as soon as you swipe they take off and land back in a different place, today I was given a roll on fly deterrent, you know like a deodorant but with fly spray. I used half the bottle in one hit and they still landed on places that I had covered in poison! I even used the roll on behind my ears, under my chin, over my lips......Yech! I have my room air conditioner turned down to 16 degrees because they don’t like cold, but as soon as I go outside they are there..... I reckon they are waiting for me!

 This site also has a huge heritage and cultural history, you are not allowed to drive off the roads and there are many signs saying “Do not enter, area has aboriginal significant site” which makes you want to go there even more! Why is that? Or is it just me?

 Ness has the new Discovery, she tells me that it drives beautifully! Quiet, comfortable, powerful (now that is the one I am interested in) the rest of the week she will be running around getting it ready for use as our new tow vehicle, electrics, CB radio, Sheepskin seat covers..... (mine & Ness’s toosh are important!) so I am counting down the days till I get to drive it!

I was speaking to David Gay today and said that my challenge for the next 10 days will be coming up with new stuff to write about, so I’m asking you guys.....give me a topic, or ask me a question.....Anything! I will need all the stimulation I can get!

Ok, the mess is open..... time to go get a plate full of food & catch up with any of the people in today's sessions, they always want to ask the questions that they won’t ask in front of their mates!

Wish me luck with the flies!..... even swearing does not deter them!

Goodbye – if a fly goes up your nose and you breathe in, can it survive being spat out your mouth?..... YES.... This happened to me today..... it was Gross!

Day 35 - Don’t ask!

Ok Bloggies, go and get your map, Google, Whereis or whatever geographical utensil you like to use and look for Glendambo in South Australia, follow the Stuart Highway 30km south and you will see there is absolutely nothing there, well that is except for about 6  hours yesterday when I was stuck on the side of the road with a broken Land Rover! (no smart comments Egg!)

 It all started yesterday when Ness & I woke up in Port Augusta, Ness was flying home and we were both a bit flat. We had breakfast, packed the van & headed towards Whyalla as this is the nearest airport. The drive allowed us to work out what we both had to do while we were in separate states and Ness gave me a list of things I have to do! She is so organised!

 Must admit it was a little sad to part, and I took off back towards Port Augusta as I had about 600km to cover, Ness had two flights to catch to get to Melbourne. My trip back was quiet as it was the first time I had been in the car alone for weeks! Got to P.A. & filled up, then headed north on the Stuart Highway. Put some music on (No not Mick Thomas!) and sang at the top of my voice (Can’t do that when Ness is in the car!) made it to Pimba & got out & topped up the fuel as there are no more stops until Glendambo & then continued my solo Journey.

 I saw some large bunches of Emus, one group must have had at least 40 emus all feeding 30 meters from the side of the road & plenty of cattle. The roads up here are unfenced and you have to keep an eye out for strays.

 Very little traffic on this road, but the funny thing about outback travel is that everyone waves to each other as they pass! I think because there are so few cars it is good to see another vehicle and you just wave for the company.

 The car & van were going well & we were making good time, I was approximately 30km from Glendambo & all of a sudden the car lost drive! The engine was still going but there was no drive! I was still moving so decided that I had to get off the road and pulled over well off to the side. I checked that I had not accidentally bumped it into neutral but nothing! No forward or reverse movement but perfect engine operation! What the!!! Decided to get out & have a look, bad move!..... Have any of you been in central Australia at this time of year? The flies are incredible, I was nearly going mad swatting, swallowing, shaking & swearing at the bloody flies, it was horrible, they were in my ears, in my eyes, up my nose, I swallowed and spat out at least  flies.

 I went around the passenger side and saw that there was oil all down the side of the car! This can’t be good I thought. I opened the bonnet and could not see anything obvious, but I did note that it was not engine oil and it was not transmission oil! So I was a little confused! Anyway it was not going anywhere and my Bear Grills skills could not think of anything to do except call roadside assist! I rang Ness as she has the number on her keyring, she had just landed in Melbourne by the way & was probably freaking out! But she was great and did not let on if she was....Thanks sweetheart!  Resource mode kicked in at that stage...and luckily I had Sarah pick me up from the airport(Thanks Sarah)...so I could talk it out!!

 Anyway to cut a long story short (and also to allow me to write about other stuff) we happen to be in the top level of roadside assist! Thank god I upgraded this the week before we left!! They arranged for a tow truck, and a tow for the van, asked where we wanted the car taken to & they also arranged for accommodation for me for the night at the nearest town (Roxby Downs) if any of you have RACV or whatever roadcover you have.... it is worth it! Even to give your wife some piece of mind...

 But..... It took the truck nearly 4 hours to get to me!

 I helped the guy load the car & then hooked up the van, but the next problem was “How do I get into his truck?” the seat was above my head & even the step was a good 4ft above ground level. The tow truck guy was pretty casual and he said “How do we do this?” I said “Any way we can” I reached up and grabbed a handle and pulled my upper body out of the chair, the truckie grabbed my legs & pushed, this gave me enough height to grab the next handle and pull myself up further. He pushed again and there was one more handle that I could grab and at the same time twist around and get my bum on the seat. Far out that was fun.....NOT!

 His truck was a fairly long tray top tilt, and with the van on the back it was quite long! He said that he would not be able to turn around on the road so we would have to drive to Glendambo to turn around, What..... 30km just to turn around!!!! Then 30km back just to get to where we were now!

 The next 4 hours were spent in the truck, after about 2 hours I needed to go to the loo, so you can imagine what the last two hours were like, every bump was extremely uncomfortable!

 Made it to Roxby Downs, he dropped me at the hotel and I dived for the loo..... Oh what a feeling! Called Ness & worked out our plan for the next few days. By this time I am at Mum & Dad’s I was attempting to cope very well, the 2 glasses of wine helped.  Can’t believe after travelling 33 days together with no issues....it happens on day 34 when I fly out.  If nothing else at least we could have at least gone through this adventure together on the side of the road...but that was not to be. 

 Summary is, Ness is in Melbourne, she has the new Discovery.....Woo Hoo! Was picking this up while James was stuck on the side of the rode...didn’t I feel guilty. I have a hire car & drove nearly 800km today to get to my job for the week! The van and car are in Pt Augusta, the car will be taken to mechanics tomorrow to see what the damage is, hopefully they can fix it & have it ready for Sandy & David to drive home next week! What a 24 hours! Thanks to BIG4 Port Augusta Caravan Park who are looking after our van and car at the moment and to Anthony the bloke that picked up the car, van and James literally!!  There are some really great Aussies out there.   

 Other news!

•  Dan lost his Basketball Final, in the last couple of minutes from the reports I have heard. Brad passed his Bike License course this weekend, well done mate!
• Rob & Juan found a house..... Excellent!
• Still haven’t found a Poly Waffle....Sorry Sarah!
• Garth Tander won the Clipsal 500......Boo! hope he doesn’t win another race!
• Brad Atkins had a bad weekend, told you it should be called MANLAND!
• Marc Walker had an even worse weekend!....
• Dad don’t leave your keys in the car and ignition on...you will get a flat battery

 Goodbye – even if you have your car serviced.... it can still break down!

 Get used to a shared blog from James and I over the next 10 days as we both have our own contributions from different states.

James  & Vanessa

Day 34 - Leaving Port Augusta

NEWSFLASH

No Blog tonight....

James is currently stuck on the side of the road somewhere between Glendambo & Pimba in South Australia. (Over 200kms south of Coober Pedy)

Mechanical Problems...(big ones) will  update in tomorrows blog.  RACV or South Australian equivalent are about to tow car and van and James...to somewhere!!

Vanessa flew back to Melbourne today and can't believe this happened the day she leaves. Feeling very helpless and wishing she was with her husband. :(

Never a dull moment in our life.

Vanessa