The Great Victoria Desert is looking unreal
Submitted: Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 21:12
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Member - Stephen L (Clare SA)
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 21:38
Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 21:38
Oh bugger Stephen,
I have only recently returned from a six week trip to the
Kimberley and back and already you have got me wishing I was elsewhere than little old
Adelaide.
Some great pictures as usual mate. Hope you enjoyed your trip as much as we did ours.
Actually, my mate advised he is yet to travel the full length of the
Birdsville Track.
We went as far as the Cooper
Creek crossing area when it was last in flood and now he wants more.
I am planning a trip next year that will take us up the
Birdsville track to Mungerannie,
Birdsville itself, then on to Bullia, across to
Longreach, down to
Windorah, Haddons Corner,
Innamincka and back down the
Strzelecki Track, with visits to many
places along the way.
With three couples sharing an experience of outback travel again, that should keep the old bugger happy for a bit.
He is still dirty we "cut" our
Kimberley trip short, as I was about to become a Grandad and he had to come back to wintery weather. (We told him he could stay up north by himself, but his other half was feeling maternal herself and wanted to return
home with us, to catch up with her own grand kids).
The grumpy old bugger is a late starter to 4WDing and now wants to make up for lost time he experienced when he had nothing but a "normal" car.
He is harder to please as he is fully retired and able to spend extended time away, without the need to return to a work environment like us "normal" folk.
AnswerID:
538362
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 21:50
Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 21:50
Hi Bill
Yes it was a great trip thanks, and I read how you were up in the warm country.
Congratulations on becoming a Grandad and you should be in for another great trip next year.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
822757
Follow Up By: Freshstart - Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:02
Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:02
Oh bugger you and in spades. We just got
home from a CSR drive and I wanna go!!!!!!!!
FollowupID:
822760
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:06
Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:06
Gday Stephen,
One word...........NICE!!!
Thanks for the huge number of photos as usual!
Maybe next year!
Cheers
Phil
AnswerID:
538365
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:16
Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:16
Hi Phil
Thanks for that and I know you would have had a ball.
Hope things are going
well your way.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
822761
Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:59
Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 22:59
Nice photos Stephen.
AnswerID:
538366
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 06:44
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 06:44
Hi
John
Thanks for that, and see what the full Blog will bring out.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
822771
Reply By: The Landy - Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 23:35
Friday, Aug 29, 2014 at 23:35
Hey Stephen
I look forward to the full report.
We enjoyed our recent trip out there and it looks like the flowers have come out in force.
Some great photos, and I especially like the moon setting, I always think a full moon setting is so much better than it rising!
I look forward to getting back out that way next year...
Cheer, Baz
AnswerID:
538367
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 06:51
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 06:51
Hi Baz
When the Outback puts on a full floral display, nothing can beat it, thats for sure. We have never seen such large displays of Sturts Desert Peas and even out on the Range at
Maralinga, they are in full bloom in
places that Robin has never seen them flowering before.
We were very privileged to see some very special country and I can not wait to show everyone the full story.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
822772
Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 00:32
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 00:32
Hi Stephen, Pt Lilian is definitely one of my favourite spots and the Mini Richies on top of
the bluff are quite spectacular. The wild flowers when we were on the ABH in early July were just coming out with only the odd patch of Sturt Desert Peas and all were the blood red coloured variety.
Oddly enough we only saw 4 camels on the entire run from Nealle
Junction to
Coober Pedy.
WRT the corrugations between Emu & the
Dog Fence all I can say is thank whomever for all the alternative side tracks.
Look forward to reading the full account. By the sound of things you did the trip later than when we first talked about it?
Cheers
Dunc
AnswerID:
538368
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 07:03
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 07:03
Hi Dunc
It was another fantastic trip and we saw many new
places that we had been wanting to see for a long time.
As for the corrugations, it is a real shame that the Connie Sue, north of
Neale Junction is now shaping up to be up there with full sections of major corrugations, and I am glad we driven it a number of years ago when it was a smooth drive.
The section of Anne Beadell between Emu and the boundary of
Mabel Creek is one section that I will never drive again for that very reason and now that the
Emu Road is open north from
Maralinga, it is a far better way to get to leave Emu.
Now the big job of the full story.....lol
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
822774
Reply By: Phil B (WA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 04:04
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 04:04
Sounds and looks like you guys had another fabulous trip out in the GVD, give the deserts a good soaking and the
wildflowers are a sight to behold and as usual your photography is superb.
Do I spy a few of my former travel mates in the group; gee those guys get around - lol.
Thanks Stephen.
AnswerID:
538372
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 07:08
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 07:08
Hi Phil
Any trip out into the
Great Victoria Desert is always a fabulous time away and the
Wildflowers just top off any trip.
You have eagle eyes to spot those faces that you know and you will see them more in the blog.
Cheers
Stephen
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822775
Reply By: Member - Heather L - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 06:44
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 06:44
Thank you, Stephen, for bringing back memories of our trip in 2000. The
wildflowers were so wonderful then we reckoned any half acre could win an ABC Garden Contest.
Heather
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 07:19
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 07:19
Hi Heather
When Mother Nature puts on a display, it does not do it half hearted and puts our humble garden efforts to shame.
There were also many hundreds of acres that have been burnt out, but true to the
resilience of the Australian bush, is recovering nicely after a good drink.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers
Stephen
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822776
Reply By: TTD1 - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 08:56
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 08:56
Hello Steven,
We opted for a trip to Europe in lieu of our usual bush trip. After looking at our 1500 photos and then you blog perhaps we made the wrong choice.
What a wonderful country we live in and may it remain that way for our grandchildren.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane and reminding of the beauty of the bush.
Looking forward to the complete story.
Kind Regards,
Terry D.
AnswerID:
538381
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:12
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:12
Hi Terry
Yes I agree that we live in the best country in the world, and while we were out in
the desert, we never heard any outside news and we were oblivious from all the world troubles that have been happening.
The great part about the area that we travel, is the lack of tourists and to be honest, the only other people that we met while travelling was a party of 3 vehicles at
Neale Junction, after we had been on the road for over 2 weeks. Where else can you go for over 3 weeks, never lock your vehicle, never take the keys out of the ignition and not hear around at night, except the crackle of the campfire and the bats and crickets as they worked at night.
The Blog will cover every aspect of the adventure, and will have dozens of photos.
Thanks for the reply.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
822829
Reply By: Mick O - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 09:50
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 09:50
What a great trip Stephen. I’ve been
home three days and have only just skimmed through my 2,500 photos and 2 hours of video. A big thanks to you and Fiona....you for your research, route planning, attention to detail and effort in getting permissions/permits etc. Fiona for putting up with the many hours you must have put into making this trip the enjoyable tour that it was. Very different country and I’m totally sold on the GVD. May be some time before I get back to more familiar haunts like the GSD now lol.
I’ll look forward to your
blogs and more photos. Unfortunately after several months away from
home, Vik has a list of chores for me a mile long. It’ll be a while before I get to
mine.
Cheers and thanks
Mick
P.S. Your photos were an unreal pictorial summary of 4 weeks travel. Great work.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:19
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:19
Hi Mick
It was an absolute pleasure to have you and Russell as part of the group. If you and Russell are like me, I am not looking forward to donning respectable work clothes and heading off to work on Monday.
I will keep you posted before the Blog goes live and by then we will all wish were back out in
the desert.
Once again, thanks again for being part of the group.
Cheers
Stephen
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Reply By: equinox - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 11:16
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 11:16
Hi Stephen,
Looks like a great trip you have had.
I hope the Motley Crew I see following you didn't lead to astray too much lol.
Cheers
Alan
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Follow Up By: Mick O - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 12:10
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 12:10
Hey, I resemble that remark!
;-)
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:18
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:18
"the motley crew" yep sussed it up in one Al.
Truth tho Stephen, your photos are just a vivid memory of
places visited.
Well done!!!
I am guessing that it was another enormous trip...waiting on your blog...
Shame I could not be there..
Regards
Michael J
FollowupID:
822831
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:30
Saturday, Aug 30, 2014 at 19:30
Hi Allan and Michael
Whats this motley crew bit......lol, We only had responsible gentlemen on the trip.........who never drank, smoked, went out with bad women and only drank the finest English Tea from China cups..........ha ha
It was a great trip and the company made it better. Like all trips, we saw some unreal country, met fantastic and 100% dedicated people that worked in the 2 remote Aboriginal Communities that were were honoured and privileged to visit.
Now for the Big Blog job...
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
822833
Reply By: RobMac (QLD_Member) - Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 at 09:14
Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 at 09:14
Fantastic Photos and info....
In one of your photos, you mentioned "Along the BMR"
What does "BMR" stand for ??
cheers....
Rob
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AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 at 15:48
Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 at 15:48
Hi Rob
Thanks for that, it was a fantastic trip and there are mega more photos to come in the Blog.
The reason why I stated we were travelling along the "BMR" was for the fact that is what the Track is called. In 2011 the Canadian Oil and Gas Exploration Company, Rodinia built a series of new roads and exploration Tracks in the Officer Basin, and these tracks were named BMR 3, BMR 5 etc, and we we travelling in the BMR 5 Track at that stage. Any Traveller along the
Anne Beadell Highway will come across this were strange, and
well signposted
Sign, show the
intersection of the BMR 3.
I hope that explains the meaning of BMR.
Cheers
Stephen
Anne Beadell Highway Intersection with the BMR 3 Track
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Follow Up By: equinox - Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 at 21:23
Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 at 21:23
Hi - I think it stands for Bureau of Mineral Resourses
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 10:21
Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 10:21
Gday Stephen,
BMR 6 and BMR 4 went in in around 1991 from earlier exploration. They were straight shotlines - can't do that anymore, so the newer roads are more likely to deviate around marblegums and oaks, and steer clear of sacred areas, in particular lakes.
Rodinia turned BMR 6 into a major claytop highway in 2007 to get their seismic gear and later, the drilling rig up there.
BMR 3 and 4 were new in 2007.
Out of interest, from 2007, Rodinia bulldozed 2500km of seismic line through that part of the GVD. It is a pity to see that much of a pristine desert ripped up in a fruitless search for oil.
Cheers
Phil
FollowupID:
823111
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 14:48
Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 14:48
Cheers Phil
Thanks for the updates and the correct information.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
823127
Reply By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 16:28
Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 16:28
Stephen,
What a great trip and a wonderful part of Australia. Great photo's.
Maralinga/ GVD is becoming quite popular,worth considering an EO gathering.
Regards Mike.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 18:49
Monday, Sep 01, 2014 at 18:49
Hi Mike
Yes indeed itis coming a very popular outback location to visit. I am working with another member, and yes keep an eye out for a possible gathering at
Maralinga.
Cheers
Stephen
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 10:46
Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 10:46
Hi Stephen
Would certainly try and make it to something like that if it was on offer. A great country to explore out there, and we only touched the surface on our trip.
I've come back with plenty of notes on what else I want to see in the GVD, just need to find the time!
Cheers,
FollowupID:
823114
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 21:20
Thursday, Sep 04, 2014 at 21:20
Hi Baz
I have tried to give you a call tonight. I have been speaking with both Robin and Leigh tonight, the we are talking about making it happen.
As you say...........watch this space.......lol
Cheers
Stephen
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