We didn't realise how subtle the calm of the Northern Territory was until we crossed the border into South Australia. Every week the changing of the seasons was throwing cold front upon cold front at us. And the wind associated with these fronts were fearce, building with a roar through the eucalyptus leaves until it hits with a thump, shaking the roof and beating the canvas with its flailing wings.
As I write this final Blog I am flicking between this and Weatherzone to track the next violent front anticipated to hit in the next few hours. We survived the unweilding winds coming off the desert flat lands around Cobber Pedy and Lake Eyre, almost collapsed the camper setting up in Gale forced winds at Farina, spend a sleepless night listening to the roaring gusts recklessly bash our walls in Iga Wata, we dug in at Arkaroola as the winds ripped over the hill, at Argadells the beating of the canvas kept us on edge and sleepless, while the winds coming off the southern Ocean at Port Elliot woke us with a thump, raising our heart beats and expecting with each gust that the roof of our camper would fail and crush us all. Now, again, only three days from home, we have another front to withstand. Ropes are out, awning up, objects put away.... I'll let you know how we fair.
We left Adelaide on a glorious morning, found ourselves a nice coffee in Glenelg, and headed north towards the Clare Valley. Burra was our home for a few nights and we pulled the van up outside the Bon Accord Hotel. A schnitzel and a beer was all that they expected for the stay, so I had no quarms meeting their requirements. A pianola in the corner mesmerised Theo and Archie as we cycled through hit after hit from the late 50's!
Burra is a gorgeous little historic copper mining town with streets lined with old mining cottages and historic homesteads. Horse and cart would look more in place than the Prado and a Swan driving down their Main Street. A long run through the town with the double pram saw us follow the Burra River, and a small stretch of the 900 km long Mawson Trail. Being in wine country, some wine tasting seemed like the thing to do, so off we went to Clare and the Seven Hills Estate and Annie's Lane. Surprisingly, the kids were less excited about this then we were, so we found a compromise and visited the local miniature railway. At $2 a ride, the kids minds were blown as they went round and round, over bridges, through tunnels, choosing from steam, diesel or electric engines. As we were leaving, we physically had to tear Theo away, tears streaming from his eyes from the pure joy of the experience.
We said our goodbyes to the hosts at the Bon Accord, and set off on our 1500 km drive home. We passed through Yunta, the NSW border, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Nyngan, Cobar, Narromine and finally Dubbo for our final stay before saying goodbye to Swanny. Pulling into Dubbo at 7pm we had completely underestimated the appeal of Dubbo during school holidays. Not a camp site or hotel room available in the entire region. A few calls came back with rather rude responses and we were on the verge of roughing it at a dodgy rest stop. One last search and we found a last minute hotel room and slept in a motel for only the third time in the entire trip.
The following day we had better luck and found a spot at the local caravan park, set up for the big clean and pack up to get Swanning ready for sale. It was also a great spot to explore the Western Plains Zoo. A full day at the zoo, we pushed the double pram, and Theo on his balance bike, we covered over 9km and saw giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, gibbons, and all kinds of other animals. A huge day for kids, but you could see the amazement in their eyes from seeing the animals up close and personal.
We packed up the van, cleaned it inside and out, and filled the Prado and roof box with everything ready to hand over Swanny to his new owners tomorrow. An emergency text came through from the caravan park warning of an emergency weather event with wind gusts expected to exceed 90 kmph. This was all I needed, a camper collapsed the day before we sell it, so I set to work bracing it up to stand up to the winds. I sat up nervously until 11pm refreshing the WeatherZone App watching the weather front blast its way towards us across NW NSW. But as it approached Narromine, something strange happened and it wrapped back on itself and peated out. We didn't even feel a whisp of wind that night!
Our final day with Swanny felt like the perfect end to an amazing trip. A relaxed driving day through gorgeous mid western country side, a picnic in picturesque Mudgee and driving back through the beautiful Blue Mountains along the same road we travelled when we embarked on this massive adventure almost 9 months ago.
The time has flown but I have been able to write something interesting, funny, wonderful on each and every day. The boys have grown and developed and it has been a privilege to have been able to spend this time with Bern and them. We have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat.