The preparations.......

Sorting out the practicalities of getting five of us - Dianne, Ewan, Liz Jude and Graeme - two caravans and one tent to the Flinders Ranges has been a long and complex task. The dilemmas include: How much casserole - moussaka, chipotle chicken, chili con carne, chicken cacciatore, chicken tagine etc - do you need for 5 people? Is one litre enough? Heaven forbid that we don't have gourmet meals in the middle of nowhere! And we require meals without chilli, beans, garlic, mushrooms and a few other ingredients! It's a test for our creative gourmet skills! How much solar energy can solar panels on the caravans and a solar blanket generate? And how in the hell does that convert into useful power? Clearly I have no idea but I'm leaving that in the capable hands of the guys (so much for feminism!) How many different options for coffee-making are essential to cater for everyone's predilictions about their coffee? The answer is 5 so far. And a drill to operate the hand coffee bean grinder of course! What sort of bed will work best in Liz's tent? Lots of options trialled but tricky to make a decision! Are all participants healthy enough to go? Well...do nasty coughs, congestion etc count? No-o-o-o-....we'll be fine once we escape the grandchildren and avoid any further infections! How much muesli do 4 people eat over 3 weeks? It's a mathematical problem requiring a solution! Liz and I have been allocated a large plastic tub which has to contain EVERYTHING we need for clothing shoes toiletries and any other personal items etc. The question is: will we have enough of everything???? And how do we fit all of the above in two caravans and two cars? Aaaargh! Wait to see the next instalment to see how we go!! In anticipation of take-off on Saturday 20th April, your optimistic correspondent Dianne