Outback wind.

Day 25: Saturday, July 11th
Steps taken: 3,531

I slept okay in my room the size of my college apartment (a 10 ft x 20 ft box although this may be off.  It might have been smaller.)  I got cleaned up, and had breakfast while most of the others were waking up.  When Kodak, Sydney, Danielle, Martin, and Lazar came back from their flight, we packed up the bus and left this Outback oasis.

Our first of a few stops on the way to Beltana was at the Lake Eyre scenic spot.  Lake Eyre is the biggest lake in Australia, and I think it might be the largest salt water lake in the world.

Our second stop was at a mini outdoor scrap metal exhibition that was set up to protest the nuclear testing that Australia and the U.S. did in the region.  Lots of really cool pieces.  Many were robotic looking with a human semblence.  There was two bomber planes joined together and planted nose down in the ground.  A bunch of us walked into the open 'hoverbus' that was there.  While we were there, the wind was incredibly fierce.  This was probably the 2nd windiest place that I've ever been to (The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland being number 1).

We got out of the wind, and back into the bus.  We stopped at the Marree rest stop, and had our lunch there.  Standard lunch fare of wraps.  I had a salami, shredded cheese, sun dried tomato, and pickles with sweet chili sauce on a chia wrap.  I had some olives, and cheese & bacon twisties on the side.  The wind was blowing plates and any loose debris around so we didn't spend too much extra time here.  It was another small town that had a railroad station next to the rest stop/picnic area.

From there we stopped at the Farina Underground Bakery for a snack.  They make their own bread and wine in that relatively remote location.  I wanted an apple turnover, but they were sold out.  I settled for some scones with jelly and cream, which wasn't really settling because they were very good.  Best underground bakery in the world!

Our last stop before Beltana was to the Tac Alf Workshop.  The proprietor makes art out of talcum stone.  He had an epic Duck Dynasty type beard, but unlike Uncle Sy this man was a real philosopher.  He discussed through the meanings of letters, their shapes and connections the ideology of life, water, the earth, Australia, and God.  He gave us much to think about, but many good things to think about.

As the road became less rough, and the scenery became greener and more mountainous, we reached the Beltana Sheep Station.  We were greeted by two little dogs, and then one of the owners.  We got our room assignments, and relaxed for a few.

Before dinner, a bunch of us walked around the property petting dogs, sheeps, lambs, cows, and watching the piglets feed.  They also had a museum built in with the dining hall area.  They had sections of what old Australian farmhouses looked like, and some tools and machines no longer used.  After that I relaxed until dinner.  Some of the others played Alpaca-opoly, which is exactly as it sounds.  Monopoly with the theme of alpacas.  I should have put on my alpaca wool socks since it was really cold and windy at the station.

Everyone gathered for dinner around 7.  I got a hot chocolate before hand.  First course was chicken soup with bread.  I was almost full by this point.  The main course was lamb, sweet potatoes, beets, cauliflower in cheese sauce, and different kinds of gravies including the station's own mint jelly.  It was all excellent though I took only small portions of each.  Eating this meal reminded me of James Sherwood's altered version of William Blake's "The Lamb": Little Lamb who Ate Thee/Little Lamb who Ate Thee/Little Lamb I'll Tell Thee/Little Lamb I'll Tell Thee...I don't quite remember the rest; lines about the lamb being delicious.  I was ready to pop at this point, but I magically made room for dessert, which was Quandong bread pudding.  It was really nice although I could only eat half.

After dinner I headed back to the room.  There was plans to watch a movie around the fire in the dining room at the sleeping quarters area.  I passed out instead after a day filled with so many little adventures, and so much good food.