Date: Who cares
Start: Old Andado
End: Dalhousie
Author: Peter Dudley

The day begins with yet another wonderful Simpson sunrise. A few clouds in the sky and vibrant colours, blue, salmon pink, reds. We have spent the night at Mollie Blooms property Old Andado, in the Northern Territory. Whilst it would be nice to say that the night had been uneventful, 2 of the party had left rubbish bags out over night, and the dingos had paid us a visit. I'd spent the night sleeping in the truck, and had heard the dingo fossicking at the back of the truck. Pressing the brake pedal should scare then away I thought, but the morning proved me wrong, rubbish was strewn everywhere.

Soon we were on our way again back tracking to Andado homestead and then a left turn to Mt Dare. On the way we saw a herd of Camels on our left. They appeared to be 'domesticated' as they were hobbled and had a shepard with them. Nevertheless and impressive sight. Travelling down towards the NT/SA Border, was almost like being up in the high country. The trees were close to the track, quite dense, and much of the track was mud. The rain of 2 days ago had made little impact here. Soon we were at the border where we stopped for morning tea, only 14km to Mt Dare, but a photo opportunity.

Mt Dare appeared slowly over the horizon, but did not look familiar to me, then I realised that we were approaching from the rear of the property, it's changed a bit, but not that much. Lunch was pies and sausage rolls - pasties were not on the menu. Those with children stocked up (again). Just outside the shop/pub, a couple of budgies were nesting in a tree shared with some Galahs, Ivan managed to get some great photos which need to be included in the trip report.

Finally the last leg of the day from Mt Dare to Dalhousie. We chose to go the long way, via Blood Creek, to look at the windmill, and Federal - not much there. Glad we did as on the way, just after Peter managed another 360, the track was blocked by a Dingo. Darren and Greg were well past it (the Dingo) at this point, but it wanted to be noticed and allowed all of the other vehicles to get some photos and video.

We arrived at a relatively full Dalhousie, but managed to find a spot away from the road, where we could all make camp. Camping was tight, but we're all firm friends by now so it mattered little. As usual the lake/springs got a good workout - even Jim managed to come for a swim. Somehow Darren managed to stay dry. Knowing what the water was like ensured that the children dragged the parents down for a good long dip.

Around the camp fire the sergeant at arms (Kirsten) handed out fines including ones to Peter and Darren for circle work (Peters unintentional - Darren's for rounding up a salt bush), and another to Peter for picking up a flat - which does not appear to be repairable. The mantal of sergeant was handed to Ivan who immediately brought new meaning to the role, rules have been changed, tightened, and generally messed about with, I'm sure that we will all be going home with empty pockets and the RFDS flying the latest planes and helicopters!

Peter Dudley

Early morning and Darren's pulling one of those poses again.... Craig and Ivan looking tough even though Ivan's doing his best to suck the gut in.

I wonder just how many kids have climbed over this rusty rod over the years. The desert dry is kind on car shells.