Gismo Queen and her King

Day 52 - Port Augusta to Silverton

Today was a trip down memory lane. And that trip finds us back in a place we are fond of - Penrose Park at Silverton.

We didn't move too fast this morning so we were still having breakfast when  a knock on the door revealed the Thomas family all lined up ready to say farewell as they begin the journey home. It's been an awesome time travelling with them but they have to get home, while we still have at least 10 days up our sleeve. Hugs and kisses all round as we waved them off - ironic really, after we waved them off from our house on the first day of their trip, nearly 4 months ago!

We packed up and were on the road by 10am. The first left turn had us skirting the Mount Remarkable National Park and immediately the difference in countryside was obvious. On this drive there was hills and green grass and trees and farms - all very different from what we have seen over the last many weeks! But that didn't last too long because as soon as we turned onto the Barrier Highway (Silver City Highway), the dirt turned red again, the trees disappeared, it got very flat and the road became dead straight again.

We stopped for lunch in Yunta, because we know the roadhouse serves a good meal. We have traversed this highway a few times now, the first being three years ago when we visited the Flinders Ranges, and we travelled via Mildura and Broken Hill. This was when we discovered Penrose Park in Silverton. This tiny town - that is just holding off becoming a ruin - 22km north west of Broken Hill was at one time the biggest silver mining town in Australia. These days, it is mostly ruins although the few remaining building have been preserved and the pub has become iconic in many Australian films. The campground was once the Sunday playground for the well-to-do from Broken Hill who would come out by by train each Sunday and play cricket or hold a fair or play other games and have a picnic lunch. It was quite the playground. It too has fallen into disrepair but it held together by a committee of management, not much money and an on-site caretaker. We like the rustic nature of the place and the history which is why we fell in love with it three years ago, so much so that we came back here the year after that on our return journey from the Nullabor.

Three years ago, at Yunta we turned north up a dirt road towards a ruined town called Waukaringa, because we had heard you could camp there. It was actually too spooky to camp there as there was not even any animals left. We didn't bother doing the return journey today either.

It was late afternoon by the time we pulled in here. Our favourite campsite was taken (admittedly, there are the most people camping here we have ever seen - about 7 sites) but we found another one and were quickly set up with the campfire blazing.

A bit of reminiscing over the campfire, with red wine, pasta for dinner and marshmallows toasted afterwards (although I do miss my marshmallow buddy Harry) and then a few rain drops started to fall. Quite ironic really, given how dry this place is (the campground doesn't have water connection for your caravan) so we have moved inside to curl up in the warmth and listen to raindrops on our roof - a very novel sound for us.

posted by Tracey @ 8:54 pm