After seven straight days of
work it’s time for a break. We head for Dalhousie Springs, but as we approach
Bloods Creek, we encounter two Colorados that appear to be broken down. They
instantly recognize us, as they spent the previous night camped at Mt. Dare
Hotel.
One vehicle is incapacitated, having dropped its tail shaft as the
result of a broken differential pinion, the other continuing to have troubles
with a leaking after-market fuel tank.
 | |
| Colorado breakdown |
They have already been in touch with
Dave and it is not long before we see a Mt. Dare vehicle approaching. Dave is
in the process of delivering fuel to the ranger station at Dalhousie Springs,
and having assessed the problem, will return to tow the stricken vehicle back
to Mt. Dare. Meanwhile, the vehicle with the leaking tank is able to make its
own way back.
 |
| Windmill at Bloods Creek |
Bloods Creek is marked by a
large windmill which was originally constructed to draw water from the
sub-artesian basin to an area that included the overland telegraph and rail
head of the old Ghan railway. Close by is the grave of Mary Bailes who lived in
a tent with her husband and two young children. One evening when her husband
was away, the tent caught fire when a candle overturned. Mary was able to save
the two children but her clothing caught fire and she was badly burned. She
died two days later.
Walking around where a
general store and pub existed in the 1890s, we hear singing fence wires, the
result of harmonics set up by the wind. When the fence terminates at a hollow
metal fence post, or a rusting tin leans on the wire, different notes create an
outback orchestra.
Dalhousie Springs is the
original location of Mt. Dare Station. The natural springs rise from the artesian
waters deep under the Australian outback, and provide a large lake where the
water is between 34ºC and 38ºC. That’s about the temperature of a hot bath. Recently
completed by Friends of the Simpson, a large platform and steps provide easy
access to the waters.
There is a scattering of
campers in the well organized camping area, which includes toilets, cold
showers, and a rain water tank. It is not long before our camp is set up and we
are heading for a dip in the springs. The depth starts at about 1.5 metres ,
and is as deep as 14 meters in places. In the water, hundreds of small fish (Dalhousie goby) about 3cm long nibble at
the hairs on our skin.
 | |
| Dalhousie Goby |
Camp hosts, Dot and Graeme, visit
us, and are happy to talk about the volunteer work they do for
the South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources.
 |
| Morning mist |
Our Weber Q provides us with
a sumptuous roast lamb and roast vegetables dinner before we retire to the
sound of light rain on the tent roof. In the morning, we find that the rain has
settled the dust and a mist rising over the springs.
A morning swim and we have
the springs pool all to ourselves before decamping and returning to Mt. Dare.
That’s it for now. Time for a
bourbon.
