June 19th

Up at a good time, first to leave the site again. The camp site was above the clouds in the early morning! see pictures.

I headed back into Port Agusta and got a new front tire put on the car. Once that was sorted I decided on a new route. Rather then going 10400km west, and then back the same route, I am headed north through the centre and then east into Queensland. Aside from about 400km right in the middle it will be all new to me. I really wanted a route that was significantly less KMs but also was a loop rather than a out and back trip. So in the end this is about the only way to do it. But its handy as I was headed to Coober Pedy anyway and now its part of the route.

So from here its up to Tennant creek then east to Mt Isa and Longreach, then back down. Now i'm throwing around the idea of hitting Canberra, on a Sunday, to get in some dragon boating, as i will have all my kit with me, and it would be great to paddle with the crew again!

Today feels good. Having a plan really makes a difference, rather than just driving to drive. Also the new route only has be driving 200km per day, though i might do more then that some days. Thinking of maybe getting a fancy accommodation  in Coober Pedy if its priced right, do laundry and such (just a cheap cabin) but if not there is always Alice Springs or beyond.

Met a  lovely group of Grey Nomads headed to Darwin and joined them at their campfire for the evening. Was great to chat it up about Canada and Australia and future travel plans. Headed to bed with the smell of campfire smoke on my clothing. We hope to meet up again in Coober Pedy.

One photo came out funny but I kind of liked it. There was an RV with blue lights on it lighting up my car, so when I reset the white balance it made the sky yellow. I think it looks like I was camping in a methane cloud.

To see all the pictures click here