BAZflyer: Desert Fog

Who would have thought of there being ground fog conditions in central Australia? Well, that is precisely why the Bazflyers turned-around after about an hour on route to Ayres Rock (Uluru) and flew back to Coober Pedy. As it turned out this was a good decision. The fog never did lift and later in the day gave way to thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Unusual weather conditions have a moist westerly airstream off the Indian Ocean penetrating well into the heart of the Australian continent. Resulting heavy rains and flooding are playing havoc with many people's travel plans. A young couple standing next to us while watching the sunset last evening had been delayed at William Creek by road closures due to flooding. Then there were the burley biker characters next to us in the Shell roadhouse as we breakfasted on bacon and eggs this morning. They arrived from a night some way up the road having being delayed by heavy rain and were planning on a long-day ride to be back in Melbourne on the weekend for work.

Rain is a seldom occurring nectar for the normally arid and hot Australian centre. Dry rivers and creeks are flowing. For some children living in the outback this will be the first rain they will have ever seen.

The present cluster of weather activity causing the Bazflyers to stop longer than planned in Coober Pedy is forecast to move on further east by tomorrow morning. Certainly looks like we can then safely make it onto Uluru and like many other travellers at this time, adjust our plans for a couple of days behind schedule.

PS: A line of weather on the way resulted in another turn-back to Coober Pedy while trying to get through to The Rock (Uluru). This means we will not get to see Uluru on this trip and instead head direct to Alice Springs tomorrow and hopefully back on schedule.

Coober Pedy