Flinders Ranges : Day 5 :: Rawnsley Bluff Loof Mawson Trail

It was quite windy during the night. I had visions of the tents flying away like possessed magic carpets. After breakfast of bread and eggs, we prepared for our bike ride. That was a long process as we had things tucked in every nook and cranny of the car.

By the time we were ready, the sun was quite high up already. It was a beautiful day of 20 degrees Celsius. 

Rawnsley Bluff Loop, here we come. The ground was quite gravelly as well as bumpy and coupled with undulations. The kangaroos were surprised to see four brightly coloured cyclists and scattered like skittles. The path splits the two footed and two wheeled. The red ground became rockier at the dry creek crossings. We didn’t cross paths with any snake for the whole duration of our trip. I was convinced they observed us with their cold eyes though. They definitely heard before they saw us as we were very loud. 

Skeletons of kangaroos and sheep scattered on the dried red landscape. Their former self succumbed to the acts of God. 

Ella Mae was most challenged by the terrain and flies. The latter torpedoed into our eyes, nostrils and ears. The bandanas and neck tubes acted like anti-missiles to the flies. Hmm…I think ventilated transition prescription goggles would have served me well here.

We ate our packed lunch of fresh tomatoes, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate and buttered hot cross buns while overlooking a magnificent view of Chase Range. 

We were lost once as we accidentally followed a well-trodden animal path instead. The signposts were far in between. But we managed to back track and found the intended route. The views and vistas of Rawnsley Bluff, Elder Range and Chase Range were so worthy of the bike ride. 

When we arrived back to camp, we rewarded ourselves with ice-creams. The children chilled out in the communal room with other children. Thomas had improved on his table-tennis playing since our Tasmania trip. He was also taller. In addition, he had practiced at holiday school care. Ella Mae found UNO cards. Sophia taught her how to play during after school care. She also did some painting of the landscape we saw today. We met Nancy and Harry and their family from Melbourne at the communal room. We shared food and drink. They were really great company. 

Dinner was quinoa, dehydrated peas, tuna, linseed, sunflower seed, garlic powder and passata in a sachet. Kim and I had ours with chilli flakes.

We had an open fire near our tent that evening. The children collected tinder near our tents earlier. We bought firewood from the shop at reception.