We were up just after 6:00am with intentions of departing just before 8:00am.
We figured that the temperature must be close to zero as the car’s front windscreen was covered with ice and the windscreen washing fluid was frozen. Yes, it was cold.
We were actually ready to leave by 7:45am but it took us a little time to get the caravan off our site as to leave we needed to make a 180 degree turn in a very short distance. We ultimately had to perform a three point turn in reverse to position the caravan in the correct position to negotiate the tight turn. We hope that the explanation above makes sense but let’s leave it on the basis that our 19 foot van is bigger than you think when it comes to manoeuvring it.
As we left the caravan park, we had a warning light flashing on the instrument panel. Initially we thought it had something to do with the gearbox and second gear but no, it was the outside temperature and the number (2) was flashing to warn us of possible ice. Had the humidity been higher, it probably would have snowed, if only!
We made the 200 kilometres to Erldunda in relatively cool and calm conditions cruising at 90kph. There was very little traffic around and the driving conditions were almost perfect. We refuelled at Erldunda and had a very quick lunch. Much to our surprise Police were monitoring speed past Erldunda which reduces from 1340kph to 80kph for a short distance.
The second part of the leg was with a slight headwind but it did little to increase fuel consumption to a point where we would need to worry or reduce speed to conserve fuel.
We stayed overnight at the Marla Roadhouse Caravan Park which charges $10 per head plus $10 for power. At least the toilets and showers are clean and we have excellent telephone and internet coverage. Back to Coober Pedy tomorrow.
With no television coverage that was watchable and no interest in setting up our satellite dish due to the outside temperature, we headed to bed early and watched some television we had recorded for just this reason. It was cold………