Today is a three hour driving day from White Cliffs to Broken Hill. The pace of the day is a bit slower which was a welcome change to yesterday’s marathon of driving.
The cave hotel had a bit of an unusual energy to it, which I guess is unsurprising for a cave hotel. It had the melancholy of a cave museum, as opposed to a hotel. When we were leaving, it felt like leaving a retirement home, where you know lives continue in the rearview, but an underlying guilt permeates the drive home. Why didn’t any of the other guests smile over dinner? What happens to the young Columbian hostess when we leave? She seemed so sad. I tried to order a coffee but she just sighed and said there was a power outage earlier in the morning and it broke a third of the appliances. Her total resignation made me feel like that was it – the cave motel will never get coffee again – and having lost so much already, she didn’t even mourn this particular loss. Why was she there? Am I too doomed to loop my days inside a cave? At the time it felt that this was the new reality I was assigned to.
We (James and I) noodle around for a bit and then hop in the car and farewell White Cliffs. If I return here ever again, my life will have taken an unexpected turn.
The drive today was a more joyful affair thanks to the smaller duration and lack of a deadline. We spend an hour over lunch familiarising ourselves with our accommodation rules for the evening and reviews of guests he has hosted (https://www.livesteammodels.co.uk/dhmg/bluecot/dirtaged/dirtaged.html).
I am constantly lost in cave hotel. I spend the entire nights roaming the warren trying to find the dining hall, our room, or the communal bathrooms (which are totally cool, no stress at all, all part of the experience haha). CR. Caitlin is making poor progress on her redemption arc towards respecting country hospitality. DW.Paul Reulein wouldn’t be able to sleep here – not enough waking hours to describe how it fails to be built to code. CR. I am particularly concerned about the near complete lack of emergency exit signage. Given how easy it is to get lost and the frequent blackouts, it seems blatantly illegal and my keen desire for regulatory compliance is evident to all at the dinner table. DWNamed the ‘Stairway to Heaven’, there is no door at the top, just an empty space. I suspect this is where they dispose of nuisance guests. I best stay on trip leader’s good side. CR.Two words here give me a moment of pause before purchasing. CR. I also like that this is obviously written on a typewriter. I imagine the person owning the shack last invested in a technology upgrade in the 70’s. DW. Why is the price handwritten? JRT.As leader of the group I assume my natural position as mine manager. It’s thirsty work. DW. Caitlin and I both stashed rocks in our pocket to avoid the mine manager’s 50% cut. JRT.No bottom in sight. There are hundreds of these; almost all hand-dug. JRT.Typical manager. Never leaves their ivory tower while the real workers noodle away. CR. Bad news for workers, we failed to meet the opal quota and you all have to buy me scones and coffee from the local café. DWRed Earth Opal Cafe – a hub for excellent scones, incredible apple cake, piping hot coffee, updates on local domestic violence incidents and balanced discourse on native title. CR.At the late age of 18, Wobby (the Rav4) finally takes his first steps into adulthood. The aircon cranked to 4. This lasts for 30 seconds before Declan cracks down. Given this car was a handmedown from energy conscious Paul Reulein, it’s entirely possible this is the first time the aircon has ever been on 4. CR. I felt cool for the first time. JRTI’ve never been this fast before. It wasn’t Dek’s first time. JRT. This was done under controlled conditions on a closed track. DW. Dek has requested the speed is not publicly disclosed. Call James to find out. JRT.A nourishing lunch is called for in Broken Hill. A chili con carne dog and a mars bar milkshake (malt added). Happy driver, happy holiday. CR. We had to take this photo 3 times until I was deemed to be smiling enough. DW. It was the first photo. JRT.James has managed to pack absymally for the trip. He decided to bring neither any trackpants or long sleeve shirts. Thankfully, Dimmeys at Broken Hill has come to the rescue. DW. My new favourite store. JRT.Common discussion points across the desert: is it a mobile phone camera or a speed camera; overtaking strategies (this one gets heavy airtime, mainly because it very quickly turns competitive); when the static on the local radio will clear; changing landscapes; where does the train line lead; if the expense SharePoint is up to date; whether a crashed car on the side of the road was caused by an animal; whether the leader is being respected enough. CR.Broken Hill has an artsy community, lots of murals and sculptures. We went to a local art gallery and it turned out the couple that ran it only moved there recently, and prior to that lived for 20 years in Blackheath down the road from us. We spent 15 minutes giving her the T on the new businesses in Blackheath. CR.Horsey. JRTThe serenity of sunset at the solemn living sculpture garden just outside of Broken Hill was undercut by the persistent warnings that “Gate Closes at 6:30” and our tardy arrival. We made it, with minutes to spare. DWPauline, this one is for you. You better have figured out how to access the blog by now… DW
Crying laughing at the PR references in this blog. He would NOT have coped with this day. But I am slightly triggered by some of the Manager DW comments. And after his previous comment I would not have allowed the chilli dog. Air con on 4???? Scandalous and definitely never seen before. Livestream hotel – think I am living in one 🤣 You have turned me off cave hotels forever.
Really liked the Broken Hill art photos. Blog post 03/09 my favourite so far. Hope you haven’t peaked too early xx
Excellent blog post and much to unpack.
I was wondering how much they pay for insurance at the cave hotel considering their very relaxed attitude to guest safety and then it dawned on me that I was being silly. Insurance is obviously not a line item expense on their p & l because they don’t have any.
We pay to grind 2cm off the edge of a raised concrete slab so that people don’t trip over. A safety report on this establishment could exceed the bible for word count.
Returning to my improv theatre class this would be the perfect venue for a murder mystery or a classic horror movie. I think the Colombian hostess has seen things that you can’t even imagine and has learnt that silence and blending into the background is her best strategy for survival.
The blog about guest reviews is classic and really just free therapy for the owner to stay sane by telling the universe about his suffering.
I assume the two words on the typed page that made you pause were ‘ needs work’
The opal workers need to unionise and take their list of grievances to mine management. If ignored it’s time to strike.
Listening to locals at the cafe is an excellent way to tap into the vibe of the community. When we stopped recently at the lunatic inn at drake (thanks nic and Brett) we overheard two locals explaining to some other locals that the wooden axe handles on their table were to use on whoever was next to break into their house. Fortunately the handles were missing the axe head but maybe that was only a temporary situation.
Mum was completely triggered by the aircon info. We had a big chat and what I realised is that two people can have completely different recollections of the past. My memory is that I had no idea the aircon actually went to 4 otherwise it certainly would have been used and mums version was €€€###!!!!!^^^^*** off.
Ps. I had to drive the car the other day after mum had used it. The temp outside was 20c and the aircon was on 2. I might have casually and considerately expressed my thoughts about this and all I can say was that the atmosphere suddenly became quite frosty. Even colder than the car on 2.
Curious about the speed record for the rav and Declan looks very satisfied at lunch.
For someone that has written many reports about efficiency and planning James seems to have a very relaxed attitude towards trip preparation.
Why did the couple leave blackheath for broken hill.
The sculpture photos are fantastic.
I don’t believe White Cliffs is big into insurance culture. I thought your reference to the bible was funny. We were all a bit concerned if there was a fire and there was no electricity, we wouldn’t be able to get out of the cave.
I agree about the Columbian hostess. She was working through some trauma.
The two words were indeed ‘needs work’. That is a very large sliding scale of potential costs and hassles.
The problem with unionising is that one one member of the union can drive, and therefore mine manager is necessary to get to Broken Hill.
Not sure if Brett and Nick will ever get to read that shout out.
Would you have used the aircon at 4 if it was over 30 in the desert?
You sound like you understand the trials of leading an energy conscious team.
I am constantly impressed by how shit James’ gear is and how he manages to complete adventures with possibly the worst planning possible. Shows the power of a positive attitude!
The couple gave their Blackheath house to a friend who needed housing in Blackheath during COVID, and temporarily moved to Broken Hill. They loved it so much they sold the Blackheath house shortly after.
Crying laughing at the PR references in this blog. He would NOT have coped with this day. But I am slightly triggered by some of the Manager DW comments. And after his previous comment I would not have allowed the chilli dog. Air con on 4???? Scandalous and definitely never seen before. Livestream hotel – think I am living in one 🤣 You have turned me off cave hotels forever.
Really liked the Broken Hill art photos. Blog post 03/09 my favourite so far. Hope you haven’t peaked too early xx
Excellent blog post and much to unpack.
I was wondering how much they pay for insurance at the cave hotel considering their very relaxed attitude to guest safety and then it dawned on me that I was being silly. Insurance is obviously not a line item expense on their p & l because they don’t have any.
We pay to grind 2cm off the edge of a raised concrete slab so that people don’t trip over. A safety report on this establishment could exceed the bible for word count.
Returning to my improv theatre class this would be the perfect venue for a murder mystery or a classic horror movie. I think the Colombian hostess has seen things that you can’t even imagine and has learnt that silence and blending into the background is her best strategy for survival.
The blog about guest reviews is classic and really just free therapy for the owner to stay sane by telling the universe about his suffering.
I assume the two words on the typed page that made you pause were ‘ needs work’
The opal workers need to unionise and take their list of grievances to mine management. If ignored it’s time to strike.
Listening to locals at the cafe is an excellent way to tap into the vibe of the community. When we stopped recently at the lunatic inn at drake (thanks nic and Brett) we overheard two locals explaining to some other locals that the wooden axe handles on their table were to use on whoever was next to break into their house. Fortunately the handles were missing the axe head but maybe that was only a temporary situation.
Mum was completely triggered by the aircon info. We had a big chat and what I realised is that two people can have completely different recollections of the past. My memory is that I had no idea the aircon actually went to 4 otherwise it certainly would have been used and mums version was €€€###!!!!!^^^^*** off.
Ps. I had to drive the car the other day after mum had used it. The temp outside was 20c and the aircon was on 2. I might have casually and considerately expressed my thoughts about this and all I can say was that the atmosphere suddenly became quite frosty. Even colder than the car on 2.
Curious about the speed record for the rav and Declan looks very satisfied at lunch.
For someone that has written many reports about efficiency and planning James seems to have a very relaxed attitude towards trip preparation.
Why did the couple leave blackheath for broken hill.
The sculpture photos are fantastic.
I don’t believe White Cliffs is big into insurance culture. I thought your reference to the bible was funny. We were all a bit concerned if there was a fire and there was no electricity, we wouldn’t be able to get out of the cave.
I agree about the Columbian hostess. She was working through some trauma.
The two words were indeed ‘needs work’. That is a very large sliding scale of potential costs and hassles.
The problem with unionising is that one one member of the union can drive, and therefore mine manager is necessary to get to Broken Hill.
Not sure if Brett and Nick will ever get to read that shout out.
Would you have used the aircon at 4 if it was over 30 in the desert?
You sound like you understand the trials of leading an energy conscious team.
I am constantly impressed by how shit James’ gear is and how he manages to complete adventures with possibly the worst planning possible. Shows the power of a positive attitude!
The couple gave their Blackheath house to a friend who needed housing in Blackheath during COVID, and temporarily moved to Broken Hill. They loved it so much they sold the Blackheath house shortly after.