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This week’s B ME Bites Trivia Question:

Welcome to edition #53 of B ME Bites! This week, we head deeper into the outback—and into the unexpected. From a warning light in the middle of nowhere to a night under the stars in Glendambo, this part of the journey reminds us that sometimes the detours end up being the most magical moments of all.

Epic Aussie Van Life Road Trip - Gold Coast to Uluru and Back – Part 4

Breakdown Moments and Dugout Magic – The Road to Coober Pedy

This leg of the journey had it all—mechanical mishaps, outback magic, and a night under the stars that reminded us why detours often lead to the best memories.

One Last Visit and a Volkswagen Fanboy Moment

We were just about to leave the Barossa when my parents made the trip over from Younghusband to see us off. It was lovely to have a quick catch-up, but let’s be real—my dad was mostly there to meet Princess Panda. A lifelong Volkswagen fan, he couldn’t resist the chance to check out our road trip companion. His seal of approval made our departure feel official!

Warning Lights and Phone Boxes

Not long after passing Port Augusta, Princess Panda flashed a warning light on the dash. None of us knew what it meant, but Krista flipped through the owner’s manual and read the line you never want to see: "Do not drive until the vehicle has been checked." We eased off the speed and nursed her to the next speck on the map—a tiny place called Glendambo. One roadhouse, one pub, one motel, and no mobile reception.

Thankfully, there was a Telstra phone box on the side of the road. Honestly, who even uses phone boxes anymore? Well, I did—many times over the next 18 hours. First, I called roadside assistance. It was a public holiday, so everything was tricky, but eventually they suggested we stay put and call Barossa Volkswagen in the morning. Sounded like a plan.

Next, I called our AirBnB host in Coober Pedy. She was absolutely amazing—no stress at all. She simply moved our booking to the next night with total ease. Talk about grace under pressure!

Outback Stars and Unexpected Magic

Luckily, we managed to get a room at the Glendambo Motel just before they closed. And while the day had been filled with stress and uncertainty, that night turned out to be one of the most special parts of the trip. With no city lights for miles, the sunset was breathtaking, and the night sky? Absolutely magical. We just don’t get to see skies like that back home. It felt like the universe was saying, “You’re exactly where you need to be.”

Back on the Road (Carefully!)

First thing in the morning, it was back to the trusty phone box to call Barossa Volkswagen. They walked us through what to do and gave the green light to continue to Coober Pedy—with caution, of course. I rang roadside assistance to update them, and then made one final call to Dad to let him know our plan. Outback roads can be unforgiving, so it’s always a good idea to keep someone in the loop.

We babied Princess Panda all the way to Coober Pedy. As soon as we arrived, we headed straight to the roadside assistance contractor, Coober Pedy Auto Centre. They scanned the vehicle, figured out the issue, and even dropped us off at our accommodation while they worked their magic. A couple of hours later, they returned Princess Panda with a temporary fix in place to get us safely to our next major stop. Legends!

Underground Adventures in Coober Pedy

Our accommodation was at Dinky Di’s—a dugout-style AirBnB that gave us the full underground experience. It was such a unique and cosy place to stay. That afternoon, we visited Faye’s Historic Underground Home, which was absolutely fascinating. Right next to Faye’s Underground Home was a fun surprise for movie buffs—the spaceship from Pitch Black with Vin Diesel! A cool little moment that added a pop culture twist to our exploration.

We were limited by holiday closures, but what we did see gave us a real appreciation for this one-of-a-kind outback town.

Dinner was at a local roadhouse—and surprisingly, we had Greek food! Apparently, Coober Pedy has a strong Greek community. Who knew?

We ended the day soaking in the outdoor spa and testing our Aussie knowledge with a round of trivia. Krista quizzed Taasjia and me, and I have to say, I did better than expected. Aussie Aussie Aussie… Oi Oi Oi!

Road Trip Lessons So Far

• Sometimes the detours lead to the most memorable stops.

• Phone boxes still have a place in the world (who knew?).

• When things go wrong, people will surprise you with their kindness.

✨ Have you ever had a travel hiccup that turned into a highlight? Hit reply and share it!

Next up: Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and the magic of Australia’s Red Centre

In Case You Missed It: B ME HQ Weekly Recap

Screens can make life easier—but too much screen time can take its toll. Last week's podcast, B ME Podcast 38: Self-Care for Busy People – 7 Easy Mini Digital Detox Hacks for Better Focus & Wellbeing, offers practical ways to take intentional breaks and reclaim your focus. From creating device-free zones to using the 20-20-20 rule, these tips help reset the brain and create space for what really matters.

🎧 Listen to the episode on your preferred podcast platform.

🎥 Watch the video on YouTube:

Weekly Challenge

Your mission for this week, if you choose to accept it, is to do the following:

Let’s recap:

• Week 1: Take the first small step.

• Week 2: Make a commitment or move it forward.

• Week 3: Visualise success and reconnect with your ‘why’.

If you need some help, feel free to hit reply - let’s help you get started if you’re stuck!

B ME Bites is deliberately sent on a Friday morning (Aussie time) so that where ever you are in the world, you have the weekend to give yourself the gift of implementing a small change towards a better you. What will that small change be? Is there a change that you have been trying to make and haven’t yet succeeded? Give it another go, applying the above - you can do it!

Resource Roundup

Below is a resource list that has been created with you in mind. Whenever something new that could be helpful is discovered or created, it’s added to the list, so check it out from time to time. If you’re strapped for time, once you open the page below, click on Resource List in the top menu, then click on the “Health Tools” link for a list of items that could be helpful on your path to a better you.

The answer to this week’s trivia question is:

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Hit reply and answer either 1,2 or 3, and, if the answer is 2 or 3, give the deets on what would make it a 1 for you!:

1. Loved it!

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Until next week, keep taking one S.T.E.P.S step at a time! (If you missed the issue explaining The S.T.E.P.S Formula, you can check that out here)

Warm regards,

Shari Ware Chief Encouragement Officer at B ME Bites

PS - Here’s a little Friday funny for you!

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