Jun 12, 2009

The railway was the Pichi Richi railway and runs on vintage steam trains as well as diesel. Runs every weekend from Port Augusta to Quorn and public holiday weekends from Quorn to Wool shed Flats and back. Very expensive. $350 from Pt Augusta to Quorn (don't know if that's 1 way or return) and
$300 for the Quorn Wool shed Flat run. ( I guess return). For $400 you get to travel in the engine and shovel the coal. Tattslotto win stuff or really wealthy tourists! We had some delicious soup and damper at the Quandong Cafe where we had dined at before on our previous trip. Looking forward to seeing more of the Flinders Ranges since our last serious visit was a family caravan holiday when Jenny was 8 months old just shortly before our return to Victoria to live.

Today:
Well the part came, the Doctor revived the patient, we broke her out of the hospital and shook the dust of Port Augusta from our boots and got out of town! Actually I use the term 'dust' loosely. As we headed south from Port Augusta we were assaulted with icy needles of rain and were treated to the sight of a spectacular rainbow out over the gulf. As we continued to head south the rain caught up with us and by the time we took the 'Sydney via Broken Hill' turn and headed east we had a perfect rainbow arch over the road in front of us. As we headed east we also realised we had benefited from a strong tail wind while heading south and it became a ferocious cross wind once we headed east across the flats to the bottom of the ranges. I was thankful that the rain we were riding in was not as heavy as back in the direction of Port Augusta as that had completely disappeared from view behind a dense white wall.

While the mediterranean nature of the weather has somewhat disappeared and at best we are back to grey clouds and icy winds it was good to be back on my bike and not have my knees bent up like half opened pocket knives and have my view half obscured by Norm's helmet as a pillion passenger. Not that I didn't enjoy the opportunity for a good snuggle of course.

We both enjoyed the view of the rippling nature of the Flinders Ranges as we headed out of Port Augusta and it was good to be folded up in their hills and valleys and gain some respite from the cross wind we had experienced from the highway to there. What a spectacular little bike ride it was through the hills to Wilmington where the country opened up again to rolling plains catering to sheep and wheat activities as well as some beef. Good to see a lot of green tinges around especially new wheat shooting in a lot of the beautiful red soil.

We also loved the town of Orroroo (think that's how you spell it, the map is still on the bike). This had a great long street with stately old shops with deep hot land type verandas out to the curb. Spectacular. Were it not for the fact that the rain had been pursuing us behind icy winds and anything which could ache in the cold was aching and the heated hand grip warmers were NOT keeping up with comfort levels we would have stopped for some pics, that will have to be the next trip.



The Railway Hotel Peterborough. Our room is the Family room (1 queen and 3 singles) at the corner under the cupola so a window / door on the front and side wall.

We are staying the night at the Railway Hotel and paid an extra $8 to get a room with a reverse cycle air conditioner / heater and bonus of bonuses we have an electric blanket on the bed (already turned on and cranked up to 3). Don't know what the temperature is now but it was only 7 degrees at 1pm today so unseasonably cold for here.

Talk to you tomorrow.



Part of the ceiling in the bistro. Nicely done.