Going North to Blinman

 We set off in our caravan from our son's place where we store the van and after loading up had a late start as we have to pack our 4WD at home and then repack the van once we get to our son's place, an hour's drive away.  Its also nice to have a chat to the family before setting off.  It was a wet morning at home but by the time we got to our son's the rain had stopped but it was a bit cloudy.

Black clouds looming in the distance

Our progress was slow as the rain was still heavy in some places and then the sun would come out but overall the weather was putting us behind our planned time so we decided to stop in the little town of Auburn in the Barossa Valley where there is a nice caravan park with power and water which is all we need.

Next morning we left Aubun and the weather was still raining intermittently but hopefully it will get better the further north we go.

Historic Red Bridge in Orroroo, South Australia, which is a remnant of the old railway system

Our next stop was in Hawker for fuel and then on to Blinman.

The beautiful Flinders Ranges in the background

The southern Flinders Ranges

View from Arkaba Lookout

The weather was now quite sunny and we were enjoying travelling and the beautiful scenery.  

The scenery was stunning and although we have been in these ranges many times over many years we never fail to be amazed at the beauty here in the north of South Australia.  It is quite remote, low rainfall at times and floods at times, but the beautiful ancient Red Gums in the creek beds are spectacular.

Dry creek crossings

A few emus on the roadside

Alpana Station

We arrived at Alpana Station by late afternoon and were greeted by Sally who gave us some background to this lovely station property which has been in the same family for 7 generations and then we headed down to our site which was by a lovely creek, with beautful trees and views of the hills.  We quickly got ourselves set up and sat outside enjoying the sunshine and a drink.

....until my next post.