The Roads are Closed

It has basically rained every day we have been here. The first afternoon was dry but it rained overnight. Since then we have got wet on both morning and afternoon outings.

We checked today and the gorge roads are apparently closed. OK, so we decide to make the most of it and head off along the made road. There is a shortish walk(2h..though it turns our closer to 1.25h) to some aboriginal art. A nice easy walk along lovely country and at one point along a lovely creek. Of course it starts to drizzle and we again get wet. The rock paintings are nice enough. It is sad they have to be caged to protect them from civilized man and woman. If I could find Lisa H. I would give her a piece of local sandstone........

We keep going along the road, stopping off at a few lookout points. All very pretty. When we get to the second Gorge Road it is apparently open, so in we go. This is interesting as it covers the full 150million years of Flinders Ranges geological make up from one end to the other. Spotted some evidence of the oldest living thing on rock. Kinda geeky, but truly us. We did a few creek crossings and then got to a place called the Slippery Dip on Brachina Creek. I reckon the Subie could have done it, but Marjan was quite nervous so we backed out. I was a little nervous but gung ho to try. However, the secret to our travelling arrangement is compromise and after the canyon incident we decided to compromise on the side of safety.

Back onto the main road, we headed up to Blinman. Used to be a mining town and they have a pub that served us a decent burger. Feeling better we asked about the roads. The local publican, a youngish guy who could not sit still, complained about how decisions were made from Adelaide and so 'they knew nothing John Snow!'. He was nice enough to check the Internet tell us that the road to Parachilna was open to the half way and open for 4WD drive for the second half.

We decided to risk it......different decision after being fed.....

Well potentially the highlight of the trip thus far was opened up before us. The Gorge was truly lovely with wonderful rock formations a terrific rocky stream flowing between high walls and stately gums. Marjan even took some of the creek crossings on, though she did baulk at one that seemed wider, deeper and faster moving than the others. Suffice to say, we made it through..........to an amazingly flat featureless plain. Pretty much nothing else from here to Perth apart from Lake Torrens, I suppose.

Drove back to Hawker where we confirmed that the roads around Marree are still closed. The road TO Marree has been opened so we have decided to risk the trip there and see what happens.

Bye for now.