Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Back from Outback

We went back o’ Bourke - and beyond -  where the crows fly backwards!!  The weather treated us very kindly and there was only one day where it reached about 40 deg. and that was in the Strzelecki Desert – so to be expected!

Kev in the Strzel Desert

(Mr Virgo in the Strzelecki Desert – very, very hot day)

Lake Eyre was an amazing, awesome sight.  We did a short plane flight over, and the lake showed us all of it’s different faces.  It has about 30% water in it right now and that is fast evaporating.  It will, without rain in the catchment areas, become once again a salt pan. 

View L Eyre 1View L Eyre 2View L Eyre 3View L Eyre 4

(Different views of Lake Eyre – taken from the aeroplane window – and, yes, the water is really pink/purple in places.)

Plane

(This is the very small aircraft we went over the lake in – Yikes!)

We camped in our tent for 12 nights, and I can tell you it was sheer bliss to get back into our own bed on Monday night  having had a long hot shower.  Even so, it was so much fun being out there and experiencing nature close up.  Too close up one night when our campsite became an attraction to hoards of desert mice.  EEK, I have a phobia of mice and rats, so you can imagine what sort of night I had in the tent.  Poor Mr Virgo was awakened every so often and at every slight noise to check the tent for mice. We had curry and rice for dinner and some of the rice had spilt onto the ground.  This is what attracted them.  Funny now looking back, and I am wondering what other campers (in caravans) were thinking when I was shrieking.

Mouse under chair

(Me – feet up on chair – terrified look on face – and oblivious to the mouse right under me, thankfully)

 

Collage 1

Collage 2

(Flowers in the desert and outback – if you recognize any as weeds – sorry, weeds can have nice flowers too!)

Inspiration from nature was abounding. The desert has come to life with all sorts of plant life, especially after rains earlier in the year.  The lake’s unique landscape and colours was also a great source of inspiration.  I just want to find some time now to do an art quilt or two!!

12 comments:

Robin Mac said...

What a fantastic trip you have had. i love the photo of you with the mouse under the chair!!! Cheers.

Marilyn said...

Great photos of Lake Eyre. It must have been wonderful to be able to see it with water in it. (ooh those cheeky mice - I wouldnt have been too impressed with that either.)

Suztats said...

Sounds like you've had a wonderful trip (well, except for the mice) so welcome home.

Stitching Lady said...

Hi Dianne, and welcome back in the community! Lovely photos of a very strange world - well, mice are so well-known to me.... but I met them never in a tent. You have been a brave girl! In this case shsrieking is certainly allowed.

Teresa said...

Glad you're back. The photos are just amazing. We were very tempted to take off to see Lake Eyre as well. You're so lucky to see it like this. I wouldn't have been able to sleep at all with those mice...just looking at you in that photo with your feet up and that little critter under your feet is making me cringe..eeeeeeekkkkkkk.... Glad you had an awesome time... what an adventure. Love the photos xx

Sue said...

Great photos Di - looks like a great trip!

Linda said...

Amazing shots of the Lake Dianne, and so pleased to have you back with us. I don't think I'd have slept either knowing mice were around, hate the little b........ The floral shots are awesome too. Glad you had a great time, and at least you missed the worst of the heat.

shirley said...

Welcome back Di, I just love the look on your face with the mice under you chair from the photos and what you told me it was a wonderful adventure.....see all those years on the Variety Bashes was good practice for Kev.

It just amazes me how those lovely flowers can thrive out there in the desert.

Radka said...

Thank you for sharing your trip with us, Dianne:)
I had done my share of camping in the past, but I don't think I could sleep at all knowing about the mice!
Great pictures of the lake, well done!
It looks like you had a great time, but if you are anything like me, you are also glad to be back; I like coming home after a trip :)

Tatkis said...

Great pictures! Thank you for sharing - we missed Lake Eyre this year, unfortunately.

Hugs,
Tatyana

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Good Day DI, I absolutely truly enjoyed seeing all your lovely pics from the outback.Lake Eyre was spectacular. Loved the wildflowers. BUT the mostlovely pics was of you looking a bit miff at the mice. Oh, dear I would of been most upset with those wee creatures. LOL Thanks for sharing. Hugs Judy

retdairyqueen said...

Oh Iam so envious (not of the mice episode) Would love to have seen Lake Eyre with water