Somewhat of a hiatus in blogging - surprise, surprise, the computer died. Of course it would have cost more to have it repaired so yet ANOTHER new computer has been purchased!
MONDAY 8 - TUESDAY 9.6.2015: A few updates before we begin - firstly, we have heard back from Victor Harbor Council regarding the parking notice and surprise, to cut a long email short "please be advised, that on this occasion, there are insufficient grounds for Council to withdraw the expiation notice".
Secondly, it has been some five days since our haircuts and in that time we have upgraded them to our WORST EVER haircuts - Sybil is still unable to do ANYTHING with her cut! We had sent a photograph of 'T-H-E haircut' to our friends Judy and John and they were under threat of death not to pass it on, but now that Sybil has actually ventured out of the motorhome she is not quite as precious about the look! Needless to say the new nickname is 'MO' (of Mohawk origin)!
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| "WE CAN RUN THE PANTS OF A KANGAROO!" |
Had a wonderful day of wild animal spotting - many, many, emus and wild goats upon wild goats. Spent the evening at Spring Hill Rest Area 74km west of Wilcannia.
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| NOT MUCH WATER IN THE DARLING RIVER |
Drove through Wilcannia (population 604), before heading out to White Cliffs. The poodles had their annuals at the Broken Hill vet and whilst there a local had told us "not to believe everything you hear about Wilcannia". We went with an open mind, but unfortunately the town does not present well. It was difficult to determine what was open and what was closed, but there were some beautiful historic buildings that contrasted against many of the shops and houses that were vandalised.
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| WILCANNIA COURTHOUSE 1880 |
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| COUNCIL CHAMBERS |
Onward to White Cliffs - as it turned out there were just as many GRIDS to White Cliffs as there were DIPS to Silverton! White Cliffs is a small town in the Central Darling Shire which is another 90 odd kms from Wilcannia. The town was established in the late 19th century when opal was discovered. Opal has been mined ever since. The primary school opened in 1895, and has operated continuously since then. White Cliffs was one of the many places visited by Bill Bryson in research for the book 'In a Sunburned Country'. 
Many of the residents live underground in what are known as 'dugouts', using mining equipment to dig extensive homes in the hillside to avoid the intense heat outside. Love White Cliffs already - it is very reminiscent of Lightning Ridge and obviously the miners operate on the same 'field car' policy whereby you run the car into the ground and then just dump it!
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| WHITE CLIFFS OPAL PIONEER TOURIST PARK |
White Cliffs is the site of Australia's first solar power station. The White Cliffs Solar Power Station was built in 1981 producing 25 KWe and upgraded in 1996 to produce 45 KWe using the same collector dishes, but better technology. Cricketer Bill O'Reilly was born in White Cliffs, the son of the first school teacher. We are staying at the White Cliffs Opal Pioneer Tourist Park which may not have Jumping Castles, but it has everything else you need at only $20.00 per night for a powered site, plus the bonus of the Manager advising 'Noodler Peel' where to fossick for opals!
Secondly, it has been some five days since our haircuts and in that time we have upgraded them to our WORST EVER haircuts - Sybil is still unable to do ANYTHING with her cut! We had sent a photograph of 'T-H-E haircut' to our friends Judy and John and they were under threat of death not to pass it on, but now that Sybil has actually ventured out of the motorhome she is not quite as precious about the look! Needless to say the new nickname is 'MO' (of Mohawk origin)!
Had a wonderful day of wild animal spotting - many, many, emus and wild goats upon wild goats. Spent the evening at Spring Hill Rest Area 74km west of Wilcannia. 
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