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!

(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. 

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

(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.

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

 

(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!!