Whats that sparklin in the hills??

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!! ( we are on aussie time of course so its 10.00 am in the morning and time to rise and shine!

well we are looking good to go!!

and yes! there are camels out there that indeed were left behind so we will get djm to round up a couple with her 'rang' and that way there is lots more room in bobby when we see them.

i have a map here that will take us some of the ways, well most of it. its a straight line though bobby does have trouble sometime with straight lines.... he does too RR!!!

now pack it all up, load up and lets get going!

wave bye bye...... we are heading out on the open road and up toward central australia. as we go, you will see a lot of australian flora and fawna.....there are many, many different types of gum trees and such. DJM is going to catalogue a few.....and maybe collect some seeds...

there on the side of the road is some kangaroo paw!

see im going pretty straight.. ol bobby is cruisin along just fine... now those sheep skins should help your behinds on the bumpy roads and we will stop at the a billabong along the way for lunch....

Ha ha ha, Kangaroo Paws ! Save some seeds for me, DJM,
I sure want some of those. Do ya think they'll grow in Texas?

Veggemite? No way !!! We had some Aussies stay with us who
came here to be in the rodeo and they ate that stuff. Not for me,
you guys can have it all, really you can. Just somebody please
save me a piece of that carrot cake. That's my favorite - mmmmm.

So we're not taking the scenic route, huh? Oh, yeah - I forgot, it's
all scenic. I sure hope somebody remembered to bring water,
'cause I forgot. :o( I'm so ashamed. Duh, who would go in the
desert without remembering to bring water? Better put my thinking
cap back on. DJM, please pass my hat from the back, will ya?
Oh, and while you're at it, pass me a piece of PrairieGirlz carrot
cake too. Thanks. So, how far is this bilabong ? Let me know
when we get close so I can comb my hair. This wind is wrecking
my new perm.

OOhhhhhhhhhh dear so early in the trip and already I've overeaten. Please (burp) x'cuse me. Who's got the Rolaids?

Better put me on chore duty to burn some calories!

Today is going to be a "day of learning"....I was so curious about Veggemite that I GOOGLED it...here are the results...


What is Vegemite?

This dark brown paste is an Australian institution. In fact, not many days start without this axle-grease-looking spread on a slice of toast. Most Australians think it's great, but it does take an acquired taste.

But what is it exactly? Believe it or not, yeast extract. In 1922, a young Australian named Fred Walker decided to make a special "yeast extract" that would be as delicious as it was nourishing. The chief scientist, Dr. Cyril Callister, an employee in the company Walker owned, invented the first Vegemite spread. He used brewer's yeast from Carlton & United Breweries and blended the yeast extract with ingredients such as celery, onions and salt to make a thick, dark paste.

The new product didn't have a name, so Walker held a trade-name competition to find one. In 1923, Dr. Callister's paste became "vegemite." Later, during World War II, soldiers, sailors and the civilian population all had vegemite included in their rations, and it got so popular that it fell into short supply.

By the way, Fred Walker and Company became Kraft Foods Limited in 1950, with the original factory based in Melbourne.

To this day, vegemite is as popular as ever.

Now....don't we feel SMARTER? (I pass on the stuff!)

Jo.....

well done RR!!

yep its an aquired taste alright. not one i have aquired tho i have been known to partake occaisonally. i prefer promite. ithink its english or something. its sweeter.

well, lets see this map..... umm if i go past this gum tree and round those rocks.... hmmmmmm

ahhhhhh!! crunch!..crash....bang!!!

ummm... sorry about that gang, i was looking at this here map and bobby got away from me.....i see djm got tossed out but she is laughing so i guess she is ok.... either that or she has a lizard in her shorts!

best get the liniment out and give her a rub!

is everyone ok?
just past those rocks is the billabong so lets put everything back in, including DJM and get over there and make camp. now this is aboriginal country so stay alert.


woooweeewommmmmmwacwac wooo weee wommmmm ( yeah i can hear you all laughing... its supposed to be a didgereedoo! too funny)

here we go.... the billabong. you can all take a swim while i get a fire going, can you here that? they are around somewhere. maybe we will get to meet some!

now i need some rocks to make the fire and clear a patch of ground to make it. you must contain your fires in the outback so as not to start a bush fire.
aww look at the mommy kangaroo and her joey!
you know, opals have been found in these parts! so keep an eye out. put your cork hats on when your done swimming cos the flies are friendly.

nice bikini DJM! polka dots!

you can't beat a swim after a long, dusty ride :) Flies?? Can't see them bein any worse than our black flies and mosquitoes, and the deer flies here'll take a good chunk out of a body!!!
Nice fire you got goin there Wonder, I happened to bring along a bunch of bags of marshmallows, I like to set em on fire, blow em out and eat em in layers. There's plenty so help yerselves everybody.

Hi Ya'll *giving the Aussie Salute* (waving away flies...LOL)psst...I told ya Wonder couldn't drive!!

Doris...you look scrumptious in those polka dots!

Please pass me some of those marshmallows...I love em. Jo

WOW, DJM, a yellow polka dot swimsuit ! Good thing it's not
a bikini or I'd be singin' "It was an itsy bitsy teeny weeny
yellow polka dot bikini that she wore for the first time today...."
Very feminine, very pretty. Yellow must be your favorite color.

Mine is just a standard black Esther Williams suit, with the strap
that goes over behind your neck. Very modest.

Geez, Wonder, I banged my head on the roof when you went over
that last bump - ouch ! It's not bleeding or anything, so it'll be OK,
but it was sure an exciting ride !!! LOL, for a minute there I thought
I was on a ride in Disneyland. Wheeee !

Eeeek !!! Wonder, what's that thing crawling out from under that
rock you just moved? I'm outta here.....................................

Hey Mahnot, would you like to borrow a swim cap for your "Esther suit"? I'd be happy to share!

Be still, my heart !!!!! Merigold, you're the best !
I used to have one very similar to that when I was young,
back in the 1950s. It was turqoise, and covered with white
daisies. Oh, how I wish I still had it, LOL, but this one is ever
prettier. Wait, let me try it on - ooooh, it's a doozie, I look better
than anyone !

So, what's for lunch and how long are we hangin' around at this
bilabong? Wait, I see something in the distance - looks like it's
jumping up and down, but I don't know where my glasses are.
You guys see it?

Goodness I see something in the distance too. Wunder what it is...and look everyone seems to be taking a nap. Good food and a nice swim can do that to folks. I hope someone wakes soon and tells us what's that jumping thingy!

well its just a roo...

DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DJM you almost got me with the boomerang! now if you were shearing a few inches of my rear i wouldnt mind but i need all the brains i can get!

but it seems to be running from something.... hmmmmm
think i will go and investigate..


GASP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RR!!!!!

WHAT, what is it, Wonder??? Oh, dear - where's my darned
glasses - somebody, anybody, tell me what it is, for crying out
loud ! DJM, what was that - what did you send the boomerang
after? I'm getting into Bobby and closing the door ! Hurry up,
you guys - get in here, quick ! Wonder, DJM, get in here !!!!!
Let's get outta here, NOW !

Hang on a sec....I wanna go sneak up on whatever it was.....I gotta see for myself, I just gotta go see what it is....

i'll jst stay here and wait for a report...is that RR chasing the 'roo?

WOOOOHOOO....It's just a little Joey...isn't he cute? Now we have to let him go find his mamma. Jo

uh oh....where'd every body go? Thought they were all just around this bunch of rocks, but all the rocks look alot alike.....WONDERRR.........MERIIIGOOOLD.........YOOOO HOOOOOO.....
well, they gotta notice me gone soon, I'll just hang out here a bit and wait......

hey has anyone seen three?

you know people have been lost and never found round these parts!

RR, i think we are going to have to find the aboriginal tracker to find her...

can you see if you can find him.

everyone gather round that big ol tree and bring your back packs and fresh water.

stay together!

Yeh, RR. She's gonna save the day! Ahh look Three is behind those rocks over there, Com'on out and join us by the tree. Gotta stick together.

whew.....I knew you'd all find me if I just stayed put....and you were right here all along!!! This sure is some strange wilderness in this country that's for sure.

Just caught up with ya! I stopped to check out the picnic at hanging rock. Strange things are afoot!

*yawn*....What's happening? I slept in a wee bit today....THREE....you shouldn't go on a "walkabout with out a partner....I have just the guy for you...he knows this area like the back of his hand.....er the soles of his feet

Beth...glad you caught up with us....sit here beside DJM.....she is a little rough with that boomerang though....Jo

Is he cute? Not a slackroot?

This message was edited Mar 27, 2007 10:57 AM

I'm not one to yabber so I'll sit here and eat a bikkie while I heat up the billy. Is that thang sparklin in the distance still at the Back of Borke? Or was it just the little joey?

Hanging rock? What on earth - you mean the rock just hangs there,
ready to fall down - or is there some other sinister meaning?
DJM, you come sit close by me with your boomerang - just in case.
I'm gettin' a bit nervous out here.

Any of that carrot cake left? I could sure go for a piece right now.

Hanging rock is a famous aussie location/geological feature. I went for quite a walk-a-bout, but my trusty brumby goes the distance.

This message was edited Mar 27, 2007 2:14 PM

Okay girls, gather round the camp telly so the bunyip don't getcha. Rack off those bities and mozzies, I can't sleep! Gotta use the dunny, I'll be back....

Bynd! You learned the language while on your walk about!

*giggle*

good effort all of you!

now gather round and we will make camp. we need to make sure that we all stick together. tomorrow we look for opals!

hanging rock has out crops and such. a story was once written about a bus of school girls that went there for a pinic and most never came back. the one that did was insane. they were never found. be careful! though we are hading for ularu.
now gather round, make the fire and lets chat.

rr do you think your tracker friend might show up?

As soon as he smells good tucker you can count on him!!

What's that rustling in the bushes? COOOOOEEE It's him now....Hey Jimmy Walkabout...come on in to camp and sit a spell....good to see ya again. Jo

Wonder, they made a film years ago about that bus full of
schoolgirls. It was plenty spooky. I saw it on PBS here.
Would ya puhleeze explain to me what on earth Byndeweed
is talkin' about? She's got me scratchin' my head here like crazy !
( I don't want everyone on this trip to think I'm clucky, but I don't
want them to know - OK? Shhhh - it's just between you and me.
If you're busy, please ask DJM to explain to me. She won't make
me feel dumb, I'm sure. She's so nice.)

I almost forgot, when I was...er.....lost(blush), I found this cool rock..here ya go DJM, you can have it, thanks for keeping an eye on my little dog while I was gone...and to make up for her sleeping on yer pillow at night, she tends to be a bit pushy that way.....isn't it pretty??

Oooh, wow - that is beeuuteeful ! So sparkly - DJM is sure
lucky. Maybe she'll have it made into a lovely necklace? With a
ring to match? Threegardeners, you're so generous and most
thoughtful.

an opal!!! wow!

hmm interpreting... well here goes...


telly is short for television
billy = kettle
bities? not sure.. mosquitoes i guess but it could be spiders and such too!
dunny = bathroom
bunyip... ficticious character form the aussie outback.......

hmmmmm let me see

coooooeeeeee! as RR uses so well, is a call developed in the outback to keep in contact with others so they know your where abouts or can hear you coming. its distinctive from anything else and echos well. its used to find lost people as well.

Blimey!! = goodness! shock, surprise
warrick farm = underarms
frog and toad = the road
gidday = traditional greeting
etc.


hey there jimmy, how you doing? ong time no see... been on a long walk about fella?

Bloody Oath! RR, your tracker is bush!

Are these opals gonna stand out like a dog's balls or are they really "down under" like in Coober Pedy?

What 'appened to you gals? Are ya zonkered and sleeping in? I'll give it a bash and stick me beak in the bush. Hope I don't go arse over tit in the back of beyond. 'elp me out if you find me up a gumtree!

Wassat? Bewdy! Even blind Freddie could see that!

“I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror
The wide brown land for me!”

by Dorothea Mackeller

Bynd!!! Don't be crawlin around in there...good grief....what's that on yer back????

LOL! I love all of God's creatures, even the scaly ones!