Tue 12 Jul 2011 Coober Pedy to Yulara

Skid marks all across the road




Checking the damage after the accident

 

0815 (2794 km) Left Coober Pedy. Had pancakes for breakfast on the way.

1145 (3104 km) Suddenly the car swerved and skidded and went sideways! Going all over the road and the camper trailer jack knifed and hit the car! Don't roll over, don't roll over, ... then the car screeched to a halt. But we were across the road, blocking the road, and a blind corner not too far away. With the speeds that vehicles are driving, this was a bad position to be in. CK quickly jumped out from the back seat, had a quick scan to make sure car and camper trailer were more or less intact, picked up some bits that fell off, swapped position with CK's mum and drove the car and camper trailer off to the side of the road. We were safe-ish. Cars were still zooming by at over 100 kmh. Then inspection time. Looks like the camper trailer jack knifed and hit the rear wheel. The wheel and car had scratches, the tyre looked alright. The corner of the camper trailer was not good. Had the hammer out and ropes to secure a flapping part. Also had to fix the camper trailer door as boxes were thrown around while being spun around. Suspect the car's Active Traction Control and Stability Control must have taken over to stop the car and prevented a roll over. It is a good thing we spent all that money on car technology. Drove a short distance and inspected to see if we were driveable. Camper trailer had a big dint in a corner but car looks OK, just a small scrape, so continued on.

1300 (3215 km) Stopped at Kulgera for sandwich lunch. Filled up.

1430 (3291 km) Erldunda. Cheaper diesel. Turn off to Yulara. Mt Connor rose abruptly out of the land. Could easily be mistaken for Uluru. Took some photos, as everyone else did. Some time later, Uluru came into view.

1715 (3542 km) Got to Yulara, Ayers Rock Campground. Very long queue at reception that we eventually was given Site 171. By the time we checked in, it was getting dark and raining. Yes, it was raining in the desert. Had to set up in the dark and rain. And the ground is just red mud. Very tricky set up. You hold it there, hold it up while I do this, no, don't drop it, hold it there, now move this way. After much stress and being wet, finally got set up and had dinner of yummy noodles with mince pork.