Trip through the Outback

Sorry for my long absence from blogland! We had a dear friend visiting from Switzerland and have been travelling the outback with her for a little over a month. We rarely had internet access and when we did it was for just used for necessitities like banking etc.and not blogging at all.
The journey took us from Sydney, Hay, Mungo Ntl Park, Menindee, White Cliffs, Thargominda, Quilpie Windorah, Diamantina Ntl Park, Boulia, Lawn Hill Ntl Park, Karumba, Porcupine Gorge, Carnarvon Gorge, Longreach, then a bit towards the coast and home again. Of the total 8000km we drove almost 3000km just on dirt, saw tons of wildlife, amazing scenery and met again some of the lovely people out there we got to  know in the past. We free camped whenever we could, cooked over the open fire and did some baking in the camp oven. The best bread ever in places where the only bread available is frozen, white and sliced. We experienced a few more mishaps than usual like 2 damaged and unrepairable tires,  one rim badly dented, a chip in the windscreen and a broken window mechanism on one of the side windows. From Hughenden onwards we tried to organize for a replacement rim and tire to be sent to Brisbane, but allas we arrived there but the spare parts did not. So we headed home without a spare tire, just along main roads in case of another blowout....Despite all this it was another great trip, I just love it out there and am reluctant to return to the (not so big) smoke. My cat, Mrs Plum was fed by a lovely friend living up the road. So now its back to normal again, having packed away the sleeping bags, tent and cleaned the car from all the red dust which gets into every nook and cranny. For the next trip we will again buy a 4 wheel drive like we did in the past. The VW van we have is nice enough and comfortable, but not the best suited vehicle for this sort of trip.  

First nights camp on the Murrumbidge River

So nun noch die uebersetzte Variante fuer meine Leser im deutschsprachigen Gebiet! Entschuldigt meine Abwesenheit von meinem Blog! Wir hatten eine langjaehrige Freundin zu Besuch aus der Schweiz und waren mit ihr zusammen unterwegs im Outback fuer einen Monat. Anschluss ans Internet ist eher spaerlich und wenn wir hatten war es nur fuer das allernoetigste wie schauen dass genug auf dem Konto ist etc.
Wir fuhren von Sydney nach Hay, Mungo Ntl Park, Menindee, White Cliffs, Thargominda, Quilpie Windorah, Diamantina Ntl Park, Boulia, Lawn Hill Ntl Park, Karumba, Porcupine Gorge, Carnarvon Gorge, Longreach, dann etwas gegen die Kueste und dann inland heimzu. Fast 3000km der 800km Fahrt waren auf Dreckpiste, demzufolge sahen wir jede Menge einheimischen Tiere, bestaunten einmal mehr die Landschaft und traffen einige der Leute wieder die wir von frueheren Reisen her kennen. Wann immer moeglich campten wir im Busch und kochten ueber dem offenen Feuer. Frisch gebackenens Brot aus dem Camp Oven dh Gusseisentopf, ebenfalls auf der Glut gebacken schmeckte uns alleweil. Leider hatten wir auch ein paar Pannen mehr als sonst. 2 Pneu so kaputt dass man sie wegschmeissen musste, dasselbe mit einer Felge. Ein Stein in die Windschutzscheibe machte einen kleinen Einschlag den wir flicken liessen. Dann ging zuletzt noch der Mechanismus fuer die Seitenscheibe kaputt. Da unser VW Transporter so unmoegliche Pneu Masse hat konnten wir nicht einfach zur naechsten Pneu Firma und einen kaufen. Wir sassen fuer 3 Tage in Mt Isa fest um den einen Pneu zu erhalten. Den zweiten hatten wir organisiert nach Brisbane zu senden von Sydney aus. Leider war nichts da als wir ankamen und so fuhren wir den Rest bis Sydney ohne Reserve Rad. Diesmal aber ueber die Hauptstrassen im Falle dass wenn wieder was passiert. Aber wir kamen ohne Probleme an. Nun ist der Bus geputzt und vom roten Staub der in alle Ritzen dringt nichts mehr zu sehen. Trotz allem war es wie immer ein Erlebnis und ich mag dann gar nicht mehr in die "Stadt' zurueck. Eines ist sicher, fuer naechstes Mal gibts wieder einen Vierrad Antrieb wie wir vorher hatten. So bequem ein VW auch ist, ein Toyota oder Nissan sind einfach gemacht fuer's reisen im Outback!  

Mungo National Park

 Old Homestead near Balranald 

Whats left of the station in Mungo Natl Park 

 Bluetongue Lizzard

 Bushcamp

Lots of flies!

From kitchen and table

We have just returned from the outback and did not get around writing my "report" on it. To busy with our visitor from overseas, going out all the time etc etc For now just a little write up I had stored away for just this reason! I start work on the up date shortly!
The place mats are finished and I really like them. Colorful and pretty much matching the screenprint over the dining table. 

We had guests the other day and I made carrot and zucchini pie with a herb salad as entree.
I love cooking and for quite some time have embarked on a mostly vegetarien cuisine. It looks as if we are on the right track since my husbands blood check is so much better!  I agree it is more work, a bit more expensiv and more planning is involved, but all considered well worth it!

Pottery making and selling

The Shire had its annual Heritage Festival and we, the Port Hacking Potters, participated. A big part of the festival was held in the grounds of Woronora Cemetry with scottish bands, variety of stalls and demos. We did a demo in wheel throwing and also had a stall selling our pots. The venue was certainly unusual but it was very pleaseant and beautiful weather to top it of. 

I attended a worksop by Janette Loughrey in Port Kembla  a couple of weeks ago.I was hoping she would show her own decorativ techniques. Unfortunately she did not and most of what the techniques I already knew. Anyway, it is good to have a bit of a refresher. So I wanted to try a couple of things. The funny shapes in the background are my "catbells" 





























































































































































































































































































































































 I also needed more catbells which are really a bit of a "seller" when nothing else goes. 
The next stop is our mothersday sale at Cronulla in the mall. Just hope the weather will be ok, nothing worse than trying to flog pots in the rain!

Beautiful morning

This was the view from our frontdoor the other morning, magic!

Have a lovely day! 

pretty in pink

The other day I happen to venture into my favorite little Salvos Shop and came accross a pink chequered skirt with a couple of dragon flies embroidered on it. I tried it on and it was to tight at the waist. I left it but went back the next day to buy it anyway, who can resist for just $3.00 To make it fit I unpicked the waistband and the two darts at the back which I do not need anyway (waist almost non existent)
Then I used the pink lining of the waistband to extend the outside of the waist. For the inside I simply used a scrap of white material. Et voila, another rescue. The skirt has been worn several times already and is now a firm favourite! Goes well with many of my existing pieces. As is often the case Pusscat keeps me company curled up on a shoppingbag!