Montecollina Bore

Day 22 & 23

We finally hit the Strzelecki Track on the way to Innamincka.  We plan to stop half way at Montecollina Bore if suitable.

The Strzelecki Track (Lyndhurst)

A short way up the track we stopped at a creek crossing to replenish our firewood supplies that had surprisingly been depleted.  As we gathered fuel, this strange herd of cows watched on curiously.

Road Side Wood Stop

From the Strzelecki, you can make out the Flinders Ranges in the distance.

Strzelecki View to the South

We hit a small patch of bitumen where Mike decides to check a tyre on the van that seems to be miss behaving.   On closer inspection, yes there is a hole so we take a break whilst Mike, under Jans close supervision, does a quick tyre change.  He is quite good at this now.

Mike, It’s That Tyre There

We cross the famous dog fence with all its bells and whistles and pull into a roadside layby.  Mainly so Sal and Col can chuff down a durrie.  But appearing from beneath Mike and Jan’s hybrid, a large pool of water was beginning to form.  Somewhere down the road, a rock had broken the tap joining their water tanks.  Not a good thing in the desert.  An impromptu repair sees a new tap installed and all is good.

Mike Replacing Water Tap

The drive was scattered with patches of gravel, bitumen and rocky corrugations, not to mention the occasional road train.

The Strzelecki Track

Strzelecki Track Road Train

Arriving at Montecollina Bore we were amazed at what was here.  Besides the billion flys, lay a picturesque landscape.  The waterhole had an abundance of birdlife and shady trees.  No toilets but we decided to stay two nights to take in all that is to offer.

Montecollina Bore

Unfortunately Mike again sensed a tyre problem.  The tyre we had plugged and returned to the car not so good.  He did discover that it wasn’t the repair that had failed, but the tyre now had a second hole.  This one between the tread and the wall.  It would take more than one plug, but we do what we can do.

Mike Inspects Suspect Tyre

We found a nice spot between the dunes setup camp for the next two nights and settled in.  A pit fire was dug and barbeque readied.

Montecollina Bore Camp

This was a breezy evening.  Overnight we estimated gusts in excess of 50 km/h.  Sally and Colin in their popup camper trailer were harassed all night with the flapping of canvass and squeaking of poles.  And did I mention it was cold?

Sally Braves the Cold by the Fire

The next day coffee seamed to make things a little better.  We all took this opportunity to explore Montecollina Bore spotting Corellas, Ducks, Red Legged Storks to name a few.  

Corellas

Colin even tried his luck at catching those elusive yabbies.

Col Trying to Snag a Yabby for Lunch

Colin’s Catch

We spotted some wood ducks on the bank, but the crows here must be depart for food as two crows worried one of the ducks until giving up.  Col never new crows would actively hunt prey when hungry, but there you go.

Ducks By Montecollina Bore

Duck Chased by Crows

We settled in for our second evening, this time something more simple.  Mike and Jan roasted vegies on the fire and the cards came out again to fill the time.

Mike and Jan Do Veggies

Sally Prepares Sweet Potato Chips over Gas

Finally, drinks around the camp fire.

Camp Fire Drinks

As a sub note, you know how we said it was windy the previous night.  Tonight was quite still.  But when Colin made coffee for Sal at 6am, he checked the thermometer and it read:   ****3.5oC***.    It was warmer inside our car fridge.  Brrrrrrr.