Pies in Blinman

On the middle day at Angorichina, we travelled back to Blinman, and noticed that without a caravan at the back of us, the road was less tough.   However the road through the gorge was still very rough, and sometimes it was hard to know where the creek bed finished and the road began.

Before I write further I must cover two points.   One was that there was no mobile connection at Angorichina or Blinman or anywhere in the vicinity.   This meant no internet either, something we were certainly not used to.  We had to resort to normal books!

The second point related to poison being laid in these rural areas, which I knew about when I investigated travelling to Arkaroola.   National Parks were quite informative about the poison, 1080, that was put down to get rid of foxes which destroyed the local wildlife.    Now 1080 poison is pretty drastic.  But of course what I did not know was that 1080 was also put down on properties too, in order to kill the wild dogs which attack the sheep (mostly lambs) and calves.  

When we returned home we watched a television series about feral animals in Australia, namely wild dogs (sometimes interbred with dingoes), foxes, wild cats, goats, camels, brumbies (wild horses), pigs, deer, rabbits, toads and carp.  Of course in the past it was very careless of people to release these animals into the wild.   Now Australia has a huge problem, environmentally and economically.    

But having just returned from the UK where there was an uproar about fox hunting, it was mind blowing to hear about the feral animals, and more so to hear about the methods used to get rid of them.   1080 poison was widely used around the Flinders, both in the National Parks and grazing properties, and was sold in the shop in Angorichina.   Outback Australians are pragmatic for sure.

Probably if I did not have a dog I would not be even aware of the feral dog problem, and certainly would not be aware of the 1080 poison.   So unless we are in a town, a camping ground or a rest area, Piper does not get out of the car, unless she wears a muzzle.       

But onto Blinman, an old copper mining town.    Copper was discovered by a one-legged shepherd called Robert 'Peg Leg' Blinman who discovered copper there.   Copper mining occurred between 1862 to 1907.  There are now only about 10 permanent residents in Blinman but during the day the numbers of people swell, even during Covid-19 when there are less tourists around.

As well as a mine tour, which did not appeal after clambering through tunnels in Coober Pedy, there is a very interesting self guided tour.   So many old cottages.   Fascinating.

The building in the photograph below is of the old cottage hospital.   Plus a couple of old caravans behind it.   Lots of old caravans in Blinman.

A close up photograph of the old hospital. with the remains of the gate in front.  It was a fairly rough and ready building,

made of logs with a sort of mortar holding it together.   

Another very old log building on the main street.

The Blinman pub, even during Covid-19 times still attracted a large group of people.   The photograph below was taken at about 11.50 a.m.

And by 12.10 pm there was not an available parking spot in front of it.   We ate the house speciality, meat pies, and they were certainly delicious.    

We decided to take a detour back to Angorichina, via the Glass Gorge. which was designated a 4 wheel drive track but the local information was that our all wheel drive vehicle should handle it well, just take it easy.   And yes the condition of the road varied considerably, from smooth gravel, to pot holes, to corrugations, to rocky and uneven parts to many dry creek beds.  We travelled slowly and the car performed brilliantly.
 
The scenery was spectacular. with rock formations, different soils and ever changing colours.

Finally we made it back to Angorichina, where we sat in the sun on the sheltered side of the caravan.  A chilly wind had sprung up during the day.  Little did we know that the chilly wind would become stronger and prove to be a hot wind, with red dust, that caused quite a few problems at our next destination, Maree.

A family arrived in Angorichina, and camped behind us, which meant we had to put our toilet tent up.  It was great to have company though.   They had a delightful small dog with them, and Piper spent quite a few happy hours playing with him.

I have a mental block when recalling the name of Angorichina, due no doubt to having difficulties with the pronunciation.