The drive down to Coober Pedy was interesting. Firstly, we crossed the border, stopping to take photos. Then we saw a smashed caravan beside the road and I mean it was pulverised into a scattered trail of multi-coloured pieces each no bigger than a shoe. It was completely and totally wrecked. Either it was made of balsa wood or it was hit by a road train. Further on down the road we saw fields of wildflowers: yellow, white, purple and my favourite red.

The country here is still mostly desert and is flat and red with occasional low hills. Very picturesque in an outback icon sort of way. All the while, you drive over cattle grids and there are signs saying watch out for cattle on the road and Such-and-Such Station. They must be some hardy cattle to scratch a living off the saltbush and rocks.

The run in to Coober Pedy is otherworldly. First, the signs that say, "Stay out," and, "Don't walk around backwards or you'll plummet to your death down a disused mine shaft," set the scene. Then the moonscape starts. There are millions of mullock piles which are white and yellow and red piles of dirt that have been brought up to the surface in the search for opals. Millions and millions of them. At one point, in all directions, as far as we could see to the horizon, was all mullock heaps. It would be an amazing site from the air.

Coober Pedy is very dry and dusty, apparently only receiving 5 inches of rain a year. And we know it gets hot, 45° in summer. But today, it's cold and windy and we got to see it rain in Coober Pedy! That was pretty excellent - rainbows and everything. Having settled into the van park, we drove to the public fossicking area and mucked around. C found a very pretty little opal before the rain drove us away. We'll try again tomorrow.

Yummy pizza from the park restaurant for tea. Spirited game of Uno beforehand was enjoyed by all with C having fits of laughter. These are the best moments for me.