An early morning start with a meeting place at Greg’s for an 8:00 departure. GC was running tight on time so on Darren’s suggestion we met up somewhere on the Calder freeway for our trip through the big desert and onwards. It wasn’t for some time until GC asked Darren what we were doing on the Calder freeway when we’re supposed to be heading west - to which Darren replied with deafening silence. A decision was made to abandon initial plans and head for Ouyen where Darren and GG spent the next two hours buying out IGA of all meats fruits and vegetables.

A rapid trip through sunset National park to Mopoke hut and repairs were expertly made to the fireplace. Zac being the lightest was relegated to adjusting well decayed chimney that had fallen down into the flue. The initial lighting of the fire proved to be quite a tearful affair because of the thick smoke that insisted upon avoiding exiting through the chimney. Further adjustments were rewarded with a roaring fire and a relatively smoke free but cosy cabin.

All of a sudden conversation stopped and all eyes were fixed on the silver liquid pouring out of the fireplace. Darren Magiver’s ingenuus supporting of the top of the fireplace with an aluminium hotplate turned to crap when the hotplate gave up all hope and melted into a puddle - something that looked straight of Terminator 2. As much as Zac wanted to touch it, he tested first with a tissue that promptly ignited.

An early night and a good night sleep had by all.

Darren and GG loading a mountain of groceries into the back of Darren's Prado - only to hand over the fruit and vegies over to the authorities at the Renmark fruit fly inspection post.

GG working on the Mopoke Hut window while Darren seals up all the holes in the hut's stove.

Mopoke Hut was a perfect resting place for the evening given that it was freezing cold.

Zac rugged up from the cold eating a delicious dinner in front of the fire.

By bed time, the hut was warm as toast - albeit smoky. Zac puts in some serious game time on his laptop.

Darren and GG sharing a special moment. Thankfully Darren spent the night in the sunroom - with plenty of ventilation.

Day 2 - 1/7/04

Everybody was rudely woken by Darren’s noisy fumbling with the door - to which Darren responded with a “whoops”. It was freezing cold but the sky was delightfully clear. Everybody was sluggish and still half asleep until Zac remedied the situation with a loud fizz and huge shuddering blast from a well timed mega firework.

We hit the road after rinsing off the ice all over the windscreen and began the day with some spirited driving. Both Darren and GC found the limits of their cars and abilities on slippery corners and muddy sections that popped up from nowhere.

The trip to Renmark proved to be an expensive one because of the fruit fly regulations. Darren, GG and GC handed over 2 week’s supplies of vegetables. -only to be replaced through the local IGA. We all used the opportunity to purchase vital items such as 2 litres of vanilla custard in addition to fruit and vegies. The drive through Dangaly reserve was pleasant but not for one of the roo population. Lunch at Canopus and an uneventful drive north.

Yunta by midmorning for a top up of fuel and Zac discovered that the litre of water by his feet had disappeared from his drink bottle. Upon closer investigation he had noticed that it was soaked up by the carpet.

Not far north of Yunta we found a delightful clear patch of sand that was sheltered from the wind and any road noise. Within minutes a roaring fire was going from the plentiful dead wood that was all around us. We all had a later night than normal probably due to the roaring fire.

Around the camp fire for our second night out. This time it was at a bush camp near Koonamore Homestead.

Zac made sure we were entertained with videos from his laptop.

Day 3 - 2/7/04

Early wakeup call from Darren who again got the fire going and it beckoned us from our swags. The one and only shovel this morning had a great workout and after a big cooked breakfast we were on our way north past Frome downs and into the flinders rangers for morning tea. A grumpy cyclist came past looking for water from the rain tank at the information both but it was empty. The old bugger refused the offer of cool clean Melbourne water saying that the aboriginal community down the road had plenty of water and that he will get some there. John’s mug also made an appearance to be photographed with the flinders rangers as a backdrop.

Lunch at the quondong café proved to be a grand affair. We witnessed a stray dog jump up on the table and snatch a customer’s lunch within seconds of him putting it down. The clean toilets were a welcome sight though Zac discovered albeit too late, that the toilet did not flush. We made a hasty retreat to continue our travel north.

Farina was our planned evening stop, but as we had arrived quit early, we decided to push on passed Marree to Clayton station. We were greeted by great amenities including hot shower and a unique hot tub made from a plastic water tank. The water flows hot - up to 50 degrease C and after several days on the road it was a soothing time for our muscles. We all agreed that we would shower first before plunging into the hot tub but nobody complained when Darren showered first.

Once we were all clean and rested after a yummy dinner the laptops came out around the campfire and it was a sight to behold. The ultimate nerds playing computers in the middle of the desert. It was a clear night with no cloud cover so we knew it would be very cold. Everyone rugged up for an early nights rest.

After wrestling with a small axe to chop a substantial amount of firewood, GC was glad to throw this piece into the dirt. He subsequently collapsed in a heap and rarely moved for the rest of the evening. GG is in the background playing photographer.

Day 4 - 3/7/04

Darren was first up well before dawn and surprisingly Zac joined him minutes later. Zac made a beeline for the hot tub and enjoyed the warmth of the hot bore water whilst he was enveloped in a cloud of steam.

Another cooked breakfast and we were soon on our way North along the Birdsville Track and onto Mungarannie for Daz to refuel.

More spirited driving found us at the sand dune where the old Walker’s Track meets the Birdsville Track for lunch. Darren and GG pushed on to Birdsville whilst GC and Zac went for a play on the dune. In no time, Zac was acting like a little kid again and jumping and sliding down the dune.

In Birdsville we booked into the campground and had our first encounter with the man the locals call the Birdsville Boof-Head - and I can see why. All smiles from his crooked teeth as he took the camping fees but that only lasted until a tax receipt was asked for. From there on, and for the rest of our wretched stay at the campground, the boof-head did his worst.

On a brighter note this evening we met up with Norm and toddled off to the Blue Poles Gallery for dinner. A lovely meal in rustic surroundings where we all let our hair down (well what’s left of it).

Zac leaping off a dune near the point where the old Walker's Crossing track meets the Birdsville Track.

The view from the top of the dune clearly showing all the standing water in the gibber plain. They sure had some water over the past few weeks!

Norm cresting the top of Big Red.

	GC makes it up first go - video from inside the car Click here for video
	Norm flies up Click here for video
	Peter makes a valiant effort only to be let down by high tyre pressure Click here for video