The Fiedlers 2012 Gap Year: Melrose 21

Melrose in the southern Flinters Ranger

Set on the edge of the local footy oval the camping-ground had lots of lovely green grass and a friendly camp-host called Rolly. He had a pet Galah named Cocky-Bob which had huge fat deposits around its ankles from eating too many sunflower seeds.

When I first met Cocky-Bob we exchanged hellos. I thought this was pretty cute but then he asked, 'What ya doing?'. I just caught myself before I started answering him like he was one of the other campers we were meeting. 'Oh, we are travelling for a year with the kids.....'. Kinda freaked me out a bit.

We didn't do much here except relax, catch up on school and read. It was nice to just “be” and not have to “do”.

Watching MTB rides

Bike Shop Cafe

Rasmus Bike ride

Rasmus did manage a cycle tour to the mountains nearby. He also found a cute bike shop with a coffee shop attached so we all drove into town to give their brew a try. It was very cosy on one of the few cold days we have had..

In a fit of energy I even decided to walk the 2kms home!

The "donkey"

Did I mention that in the paddock next door was a donkey! Odd, I agree but that's what it was. I'm not sure he liked me though. I went for a stroll to say hi one day and as I approached he made this frightening noise , snorting in a very unneighborly way. Then he just stared at me-I assume it was a male as another kindred spirit wouldn't be so rude.

I thought he might charge me! So I quietly stepped backwards and took the long way home.

On another occasion, I was walking to the bathroom for my evening abolitions and I heard that same snort!

It was so frightening.

Down town Melrose

I thought I was being attack by a Minotaur-or had I just been reading too much about demi-gods! Whatever, the sound scared the bejezzus out of me and when I realised it was our donkey neighbour it just confirmed that he had it out for me.

As I said our caravan was set up near the footy oval but on the other side were the local netball courts. One evening all the girls from the area came out to play a few quarters in an endeavour to decide the season's teams. In a wave of nostalgia I wandered over with my cuppa to watch them. They were working so hard, zipping here and zagging there. I couldn't imagine that I was once able to run and jump around like they were doing now.

Clouds over the Flinters

On the footy oval the fellas were having their work out too so the evening had a real community feel to it which I loved :o)

27th & 28th

Ah! It was nice to be back amongst the greenness again.

We said hi to Cocky-Bob and found out that amongst his other talents he could 'sneeze' on cue which gave to children a few giggles.

The travelling residents had changed while we had been gone and one spot in particular had been replaced by a group of female grey-nomads! I had a chat with one of them as I was so excited to see them out in a group travelling together. I wanted to find out more. Each had their own van or combi so were independent in most respects but they socialised and moved around the country collectively. They were well seasoned ladies but they were out in there doing stuff that lots of us don't have the courage to do when we are young and all partnered up.

I found them quite inspiring.

My screaming, I mean delightful kids brought me back to reality and the chores we had to attend to after the week of dustiness of Coober Pedy. The biggest issue, was washing spilling out of the laundry basket. Rasmus has taken on the role of washer-man for our trip but this time he was given some time off as the camp kitchen also had a washing machine-what a treat! Cozy fresh sheets...hmm.....can't wait for bed tonight :o)