A reasonable night was had in our budget room. On waking the first task as usual was to organise something, somewhere for breakfast. Somewhere in town seemed the best option. We were aware that the grand underground hotel, of which a lot was above ground, had a cafe, but it looked like it would be expensive. Not much else was open. Eventually we found the bakery almost out the other side of town back toward the highway. Once again a nondescript sort of establishment in a nondescript two story building. One of the other occupants of the building was an op shop run be the adventists. The food in the bakery looked ok.
The shop assistant who served us was a delightfully good humoured mid 20s woman from Invercargill, New Zealand. She had been in Coober Pedy for three months and didn't mind the place. The first week she arrived back in Feb the temp didn't fall below 45degC. Previously she had been in Perth and didn't like it too much; too big. There was something small town about Coober Pedy that made it familiar and likable. She'd come with her boyfriend, who was a recently graduated pilot who was looking to get some commercial flying experience. He was flying for a nearby station spotting stock. After this they were wanting to see the world.
A decent cup of coffee was made there. Over breakfast we looked at the Coober Pedy to Kulgera and Kulgera to Alice Springs strip maps to see what lay ahead and plan what to take in the way of food. Based on what had been experienced getting here it looked like it was going to be a 7 to 8 day effort, with probably 3 days camping out.
Having drunk and eaten we slowly made our way back to the Oasis via the chemist and the first of two super markets. Back at the oasis I found George to organise moving from our prison cell to the promised cabin. It was palatial by comparison. Roomy, a double bed, two bunks, fridge, tv, air con, sink with running water, small oven with a cooktop, all manner of cooking utensils and even a microwave. We were very pleased.
After settling in clothes were put on to wash. Then we set off for the pool, which we were told was freezing. Freezing was what we wanted. Even for me the thought of being able to dip my feet and knees into cold water was unusually attractive. The pool was a round fiberglass in-ground pool about 5 metres in diameter covered by what looked to be a very large steel water tank with an entrance cut out of the side. It was cold and it felt great. So much so that I eventually got in completely. I spent maybe three quarters of an hour slowly wading in the cold water; crouching so that the water was up to up to my neck.
Swimming and a seemingly obligatory sun bath by the frenchies was followed by trip to the other supermarket to buy more supplies. Pierre also wanted to drop off clothing that he regarded as excess to requirements at the op shop. These were anything he hadn't used since leaving Pt Augusta, namely winter gear. It was a lot; maybe 4 or 5 kilos worth. The op shop wasn't open so I asked the guy who ran the bakery what could be done. He said to leave it with him and he would pass it on.
Peter was a 40 something Greek guy raised in Kensington Park, Adelaide, who had been coming up to Coober Pedy since he was a kid. In his 20s he had come up with a couple of mates to look for opal. In no time they hit the big time. A $250,000 opal brick. Not a seam, but a one off brick. There is no science to this; just luck. After the strike he went back to Adelaide and resumed being a builder for ten years. The urge to mine for riches got too strong so he came back.However, luck wasn't with him. Eventually he switched to baking, which he said wasn't too different to building. Don't let that put you off paying him a visit.
What is of concern is Vero's ankle. It is swollen and sore. It is amazing she keeps going, but there is no suggestion of stopping. Stoic. She spends a lot of time treating it without any obvious improvement.
...go to day 12 - May 21