Camping Adventures in Ruby & Pearl

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Flinders Ranges Day 2

Day 2 Monday 02/10/2017 (Labour Day Holiday)

We had a late cooked breakfast then, had a bush shower each then went for a drive to get some phone signal. We’d forgotten to tell Kirby where we were staying each night. Brianna is still overseas in Iceland, arriving home Wednesday.

We took a drive back to Warren Gorge to have a look in there. Quite a nice lot of camp grounds there.

On our way back, we got another $10 worth of wood from Malcolm then it was back to camp to while away the afternoon. The weather is lovely and warm and there are not many flies, so that's good.

We had a platter of nibbles, meats and cheese, crackers and fruit for lunch and a bottle of pinot noir.

I had a snooze in the afternoon and Gus pottered around camp. We officially named Pearl and got her sticker put on.

It’s roast lamb for dinner. Gus got the fire going early and got the little lamb roast going on the spit. We did potatoes and carrots in the BabyQ in a foil tray and I did (Surprise) peas and gravy inside. It was a great roast dinner! We sat around the nice fire for way too long. We had toasted marshmallows and McVities Digestives (toast the marshmallow so the bottom is nearly molten then sit it on top of the chocolate biscuit - devour!) for dessert and shouldn’t have hopped into the chocolate port! Whoopsies! Bed at 1pm!

It was pretty cold overnight but the hot water bottles and ruby rug kept us cosy.

Cheers - Joolz xx

Flinders Ranges Day 1...

Day 1 Sunday 01/10/17

Adelaide to Argadells

After having breakfast with Kirby, we left Adelaide heading out through Port Wakefield and Port Pirie. The weather warmed up almost immediately.

We had Subway lunch in Pirie then headed for Port Augusta then onto Quorn. Argadells is 28 kms out of Quorn, past Warren Gorge.

We didn’t get there until 5pm but Daylight Saving has just started so we had plenty of light to set up.

Malcom & Judy Juett welcomed us and we paid $40 to stay 2 nights, $50 to use any 4WD tracks and $40 for wood. There are lots of people staying throughout the property.

We are camping at Jack’s camp which overlooks a creek bed and is surrounded by ranges.

We got Pearl levelled up, popped out and easily set up before dark.

Dinner was spiced pork chops and some creamy tomato pasta. We sat out at the camp fire after dinner and it was a lovely, still night.

Bed at midnight with hot water bottles!

Cheers - Joolz xx

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Heading to the Flinders Ranges...

This will be our second trip to the Flinders, our last being back in mid September, 2014

I can't believe we haven't used Pearl since Easter in April this year!

I have put in links of that trip when we had the roof top tent on Ruby. This time we'll be a bit more comfortable in Pearl. We are getting things organised so we can head off next Saturday...

Flinders Ranges -September 2014

Day 1/2

Prairie Hotel, Parachilna

Day 3/4

Parachilna Gorge

Days 5/6/7

Wilpena Pound

Days 8/9

Wilpena Pound/Argadells

Day 10

Argadells

Day 11

Argadells/Mt Arden

Day 12

Port Augusta

If this trip is anything like the last, it will be most enjoyable. This is a quick trip, taking advantage of the October long weekend. So for only 4 days off work, we get 9 days away. We will have 7 nights in the camper as we will get back into Adelaide on the 8th Oct. Can not wait!

Cheers - Joolz xx

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Cockatoo Lake ...

Sunday 12^th March, 2017

We packed up Ruby & Pearl and headed over to Cockatoo Lake which is about 18 kms the other side of Naracoorte. We actually took a turn left too early and that took us out of our way on dirt roads a bit but we got there eventually.

There were lots of people camped there already but we found a spot away from most of the crowd. We set up on a dirt site with grass in front of us looking right at the lake. It’s a very pretty spot. The signs say no fires but plenty of people have got them lit. We wish we’d bought the Pig although it is not cold. There is a flushing toilet in a concrete tank which is quite clean and spider free.

It took a while to level Pearl out on the site then we sat and had a beer and a wine. Time to set the yabby pots! We have 2 opera house and one drop net pots and we came armed with chicken necks for bait!

We plopped them out in the water then waited about half an hour….I think we pulled 5 the first time then they came in in dribs and drabs, mainly in the drop net until we had 2 dozen by nightfall.

Gus cooked rack of lamb for dinner, I did salad and some rice. After dinner, we boiled up the yabbies – boil the water then throw them in, bring back to the boil and we gave them 8 minutes – they float to the surface like they are in a whirling hot tub! I cracked the tails and we kept the meat to have in the morning.

Monday 13^th March, 2017

Next morning, we checked the pots again a few times and got another dozen. I cooked them up and shelled them. Using most of the first lot, we made a nice omelette, stir frying the yabbies in butter then adding the egg and veggies. Yummy!

The rest of the yabbies were doused in vinegar, salt and pepper and enjoyed with cheese and biscuits later in the day.

Watching the boats towing knee boarders and kids about floating devices, we decided it would be nice to have a little dinghy to putter around the lake in. We looked on line and you can get really light ones that would fit on top of Pearl.

We packed up and headed back to Millicent and were home by 5pm. Gus gave Pearl and Ruby a tub and tucked them back in the spots, ready for next time.

Free Camp

Cheers - Joolz xx

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

McIntyre Beach camp...

Head on over to http://simplyjoolz.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/mcintyre-beach.html to see our beach camp.

Cheers - Joolz xx

Friday, December 9, 2016

Southend Bush Camp...

Sat 27th November We headed down to Southend which is only about 20 minutes away. We paid for the bush camp site at the caravan park. Someone was in Site 1 so we took Site 3 which was nice and grassy.