Lightening Online

We got away in much better time on day 2 and the kids travelled much better so we pulled into Broken Hill just after 1pm.  This gave us time to actually look around.  We went to the GeoCentre – our very first “touristy” thing we’ve done so far this trip.  That made it all feel much more like a holiday which was nice.

The GeoCentre was all about mining in Broken Hill and had lots of minerals on display.  The kids found it quite interesting.  They had a microscope set up with a screen that they could investigate the minerals in various rock samples (which, of course, the kids fought over).  There was also a cabinet displaying fluorescent minerals, a 42kg silver nugget and a silver tree.  The kids had fun taking lots of photographs on their cameras.  At only $8 for our family, it seemed like good value.  Out the back they had some large rocks, a miners cottage and an outdoor toilet on display.  I think it was all very eye opening for the kids.

We then met up with an internet friend.  Princess Singstar was quite funny.  She couldn’t understand how i could have a friend that I didn’t know what she looked like.  When I explained it to her she was like “that’s just weird”.  Thanks hon.  :)  The kids had a great play on the playground, something they desperately needed after 2 days of travelling without much playtime.

Toward the end of the afternoon, we drove out to the Desert Sculptures.  They’re supposed to be the most spectacular as the sun is setting.  Lleyton took a photograph with the sun shining on them and one without it and there’s quite a difference (if I get a chance, I’ll show you his photographs – we’ve been rather busy and I haven’t uploaded any images to the computer yet).

We had quite a funny moment when we arrived out there.  We pulled up at the station to pay (and to be honest, I thought $10 a car seemed expensive but never mind) and it said that the gates closed at 6pm.  By our clocks it was only 4.30pm which was fine.  Then Lleyton pointed out that we were in NSW and hadn’t the time now changed?  I had completely forgotten about that and had a moment of panic that I’d totally messed up the times with meeting my friend.  It had all worked out fine with meeting up so I wasn’t sure what I’d done.  i gave her a ring to ask what the time was and found out that Broken Hill works on Central Time.  Phew!!!!  We didn’t have to change our clocks until the next day.

There is an option to drive up to the Sculptures but we opted to walk, figuring after 2 days of mostly travelling, we could all do with a little exercise.  It’s an uphill walk so was a great workout although the younger 2 whined most of the way up.  The view and the sculptures was well worth it though.

Day 3 is another day of travelling.  We’re hoping to do around 600km which is quite a long day towing the van (we can’t go as fast while towing the van).  It’s likely to be our biggest day of travel for the entire trip (at least until we head homewards at the end).  Fortunately, we got away in good time.  The kids were awake by 6.45am and we were packed up and pulling out of the park around 7.30am.  Early starts usually bode well for a good day of travelling.  As I type this, we’ve been on the road an hour.  There’s still a long way to go so hopefully the kids continue to travel well.  The scenery around these parts are pretty boring.  All I can say is thank goodness for car DVD players.  They’re a life saver on days like this!!!!

Update: We survived the long day of travelling.  There was supposed to be wi-fi here at the caravan park but apparently it isn’t working. :(  Hopefully I can publish this when we get to Dubbo.