Today is my birthday, I am 30 but if you want to get 'technical' then I am 32. Mel cooked me a yummy, special breakfast and then we went mountain bike riding. The trail we chose was called the 'Camel humps' and went over, around and through the rolling hills. There were several rocky creek crossings, lots of twists and turns and we even startled a pack of sheep ad we wizzed past them. Such an adrenaline rush! We drove to Port Germaine and discovered it had no ...

Headed the back way over to Melrose at the foot of Mt Remarkables National Park. Gorgeous area with green, rolling wheat fields and ghost gum trees. Lots of sheep farming and crops. Melrose is South Australias downhill mountain biking Mecca. Lots of black diamond tracks and plenty of hiking also. There is a general store, antiques, an old stone pub and caravan park. Lovely and quiet. Highlight today: having a few drinks with some local shearers.

Freezing cold last night, lucky we have thermal gear which we put on mid way through the night. We slept in till 9.30am thanks to some new blow up hiking airbeds which proved very comfortable! The remaining 8.4km back to Wilapena Pound was relatively easy going, nice and flat through pine and gum forest. Very glad to be back and enjoyed having a hot, soapy shower before heading back to the caravan. Highlight today: nothing beats sleeping in your own bed!

Headed off on our overnight hike heading to St Marys Peak. Unbeknown to myself (didn't check) the track is classed as one of the hardest treks. After pleasant trekking through winding mountain trails we soon hit the hard section. 2.6km of hard up hill climbing over huge rocks (very tiring with a loaded pack). Most people we passed were impressed with our adventurous spirit but I'm sure they also thought we were slightly insane! After hiking 11.6km we finally ar...

Drove into Hawker which is a very quaint town, lots of old stone buildings and lattice. Lots of lizards on the road sunning themselves today! Headed into the Flinders Ranges to Wilapena Pound then had a picnic lunch in the sun. When we got back we lit a fire, relaxed in the sun and read for the afternoon. In the evening we packed all our hiking gear ready for tomorrow's overnight hike in the Flinders Ranges. Highlight today: sitting in the sun reading on the...