On top of the Breakaways

I am posting this more than two weeks after the fact. Our last stop on the Ghan train from Darwin to Adelaide was at a siding, a 45 min bus ride to the town of Coober Pedy. A strange town, created to mine for opals. It remains the world's largest producer of opals. Located in the middle of desert country, the town survives on water from deep aquifers. The reality is that this will run out at some time not too far in the future. About 75% of homes in Coober Pedy are built into the hillsides in order to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. As all the hisllside sites have been built on, new residents remain above ground, although often with deep basements that are underground, and that is their bedrooms, and living areas. Cooking, and washing, are done above ground, as also happens with the houses dug into the hillside.

After visiting Coober Pedy, we were driven out through the desert to the Breakaways. This is comprises hills which remain after erosion has left them standing alone at the edge of what was once sea bottom. This whole area id of great importance to the local indigenous people, who have made their land open to such as we, with a polite request to respect their customs, and to stay on the formed roads, and not take any rocks away. There we were able to look at the remarkable views, and drink a glass of wine (brought there and served by staff from the Ghan train. This called for a selfie +.

Both of us have been appalled by the attack on London's citizens late on Saturday London time. We wish everyone affected the best.