We woke up to a beautiful sunny day in Port Augusta. A top of 30 degrees Celsius was forecast today. I couldn’t help noticing that Melbourne was expecting a top of 13 degrees with rain. Vicki and I went for another early morning walk along the foreshore. It’s not that I want to get up early and work my guts out to keep up with Vicki ( who does the 1000 stairs in the Dandenong Ranges in  Melbourne 3 times in one shot) I just seem to wake up so early. I have always needed an alarm to wake to but not anymore. Happy to report also that we are all sleeping well, now. Our van vibrates with the sweet sounds of serious snoring all night long and we are all guilty of it. Early on we actually woke up Vicki with our sweet sounds in their van next door and she nudged Chris who said “it’s a wild animal, go back to sleep”. We weren’t offended. Hannah has had some trouble sleeping so Chris got her some “Rescue Remedy” always much recommended by the Siegersma sisters and now she sleeps well every night. Thanks Aunties!

Anyway, keeping up with Vicki in the mornings is a great way to start the day and I don’t feel so guilty indulging in a nice beverage in the afternoons. Life is all about balance.

So today we headed to Roxby Downs. We made the 83kms extra to take us from the main road to Roxby Downs. The landscape was barren and the road so straight, all you could see in every direction was …nothing. We were counting on taking a tour of the Olympic Dam Mine, actually Chris and Ray were really looking forward to it and although the thought of it held no particular attraction to the rest of us, we went along as good travelling companions do. Imagine our disappointment (one word for it) when Chris found out upon our arrival that the mine tours were only on weekdays. Since we had arrived on a Saturday our 83kms in to Roxby Downs (and out again tomorrow) had been for nothing. Vicki and I held our tongues making gentle suggestions about perhaps “Googling” next time for specific information. I don’t think they will make the same error twice.

After a quick tour (literally one street) of the town, we decided to take the kids to the local pool. It certainly was warm enough and they had a ball. (Big kids too).

We have decided to move on tomorrow heading for Coober Pedy. We anticipate a 5 hour car trip so we will leave as early as we can to see something at the other end in the daylight.

PS. Outside the caravan park was a “Telstra Phone Box”. I asked Caleb what it was and he said he didn’t know. When I told him it was a phone he asked how on earth anyone could fit it in their pocket. A sign of the times!