Saturday, April 06, 2013

The Birdsville Track



Left Birdsville and its 85 million flies behind this morning and headed down the track towards Marree. Again the scenery was constantly changing – lots of different shades of ochre and brown with what looked like mesas in the distance – all we needed was cactus and we could have been in Mexico!  The track conditions were pretty good – some of the locals refer to it as the Birdsville Highway (maybe not quite that good). Lots of very healthy looking cattle grazing on the roadside and one scrawny dingo – see photo.  Stopped for a roadside coffee and noticed that the Anderson plug had come loose and worn away on the road surface!!  Oh well!!!  Got to the Mungarannie Hotel mid-afternoon and decided, after a couple of cold beers, to spend the night.  Good choice – what a character the pub owner is – a story for every occasion.
Next morning off towards Marree through brown, red and mustard dust, scrub and every now and again patches of vibrant green trees with sand dunes and big hills off in the distance.  Yet more grazing cattle and the first sheep we’ve come across on the track.  Going along nicely and then “bang” there goes the back window of the Prado – one very small stone lots of damage!!!  Stopped in Marree for fuel and coffee and managed to pick up some cardboard boxes to cover the rear window until we can get it fixed.  Stopped in Leigh Creek for the night and covered the rear window and made arrangements to get the window replaced when we get to Port Augusta next week
Photos follow care of Michael’s creative license:



 The Birdsville Hotel




 Edward and Dafydd
 The dog fence


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