MONDAY 10 MAY     WILPENA

John wanted a rest day, today, since we have been active every day since getting here.

It was another beautiful blue sky day. Yesterday, U had commented on the unusual clarity of the air and the views – so it is not always like that, here.

I did the washing.

Basically we just lazed around for much of the day. Read some accumulated newspapers and some travel guides. I did some knitting.

I walked to the office and paid for another week’s accommodation here. There is still so much that we want to do.

After lunch, we went for a bike ride, as far as the old hut and the Cazneaux Tree. We detoured to the solar farm lookout. The solar farm consists of rows of solar panels generating electricity that can be used at Wilpena, which is not on the main power grid, and has relied on its own diesel generators. The SA Govt had the solar farm installed, to demonstrate what can be done with this technology. It only started operating a few months ago. The rows of panels are in a slight valley, so they are not really noticeable unless one goes to the lookout. The experimental work that is being done on a solar power supply, here, is impressive. The way of the future?

Our 15.5km bike ride was very enjoyable – such a great setting for cycling.

The camp area was nice and peaceful in the morning, but by mid afternoon it was filled with vans.

John went to the public phone at the office (no mobile reception here) to make some calls. He contacted our sharebroker to check on some share prices. Phoned Hayman Reece to ask about the advisability of taking off the weight distribution bars on rough roads – we should! He also phoned and booked us to do the SkyTrek tomorrow.

A park worker, whom John had encountered somewhere about the place, came by after work to talk to John about web sites and his plans to set up a business offering abseiling and climbing, here. He did not seem to have much idea, though, about things like liability insurance, so I think he has a lot of learning to do yet.

Tea was late – due to our visitor. Pumpkin soup, Hawaiian tofu stir fry and rice – was ok.

We are having a good run of early nights – must be the unpolluted air here.