Madi’s Manoeuvres.

Hay River Track camp to Jervois Station. Day 12 – 12 June 2024.

Today the plan is to make it to Jervois Roadhouse – 250 or so kilometres. There are showers and some folk are pretty keen to get there.
Awoke between 6 and 6:30. Up and dressed and went for a little walk out the back of camp. Ran into a spider web, I felt it across my chest – such a strong line of silk, backed away and it did not break. Found the web and took a pic of the maker.

Then packed up swag and stretcher which was thankfully dry. Had to toss the hot water bottle out about 10 minutes into the bag last night, it was quite warm.

Pumped the tyres up about 6PSI and ready to roll before 9. Some adjustments to the drone so Mary can try a moving vehicles shot above the trees.
The budgies are up and about early.

I took the lead driver this morning along what was a really fun track along the river bed and between the river bed and a dune. Lots of birds to stop and photograph. I tend to get a bit away from the group when I’m in the lead so we slow down to let people catch up. It’s so much fun. I let Brian overtake to see how he went with the fun track.

We pretty much drove till lunchtime where we stopped at Dingo Well. There is a well here built to provide environmental water for dingos and wildlife, however everything was dry.

There were heaps of zebra finches and no water.
I must say by the time we reached Dingo well I was well and truly ready for a comfort break, seems everybody else had stopped along the way pretty much.

We have another 150km to get to Jervois.

The weather has really warmed up the last couple of days it was 27 degrees by lunchtime today and we’ve stripped down to shorts and t-shirts.

The weather has really warmed up the last couple of days it was 27 degrees by lunchtime today and we’ve stripped down to shorts and t-shirts.

A short time later we stopped again to air down the tyres a little bit near Mount Winneke.
Mary Jackson spotted an Australian Bustard beside the road and it hung around long enough for the last of us to get some photos.

We drove through Batton Hill and then onto Central Lands Council lands, this is where our permits allow us to travel. We turn left and crossed over through the Hay River heading West I think.

All of us except Steve and Brian have topped up tanks along the trip. Brian is close to the line as to whether he will make it on his two tanks or not, so now he’s starting to sweat it and we’re making him run out of fuel before he’s allowed to put a Jerry can into the tank. Which will come first? Jervois or Brian running out?

Well, FACEBOOK told us that the road from intersection to Jervois was corrugated and Facebook was definitely not wrong. were Unfortunately Kate‘s car blew a left rear shocker while Phil was was driving. We’ve all found a different speed which seems to suit us better but there’s no easy way to do it.
So Mary and I have figured 60 to 70 k’s an hour suits our vehicles so we’re doing a stretch, then pulling up and waiting for the others to gather for a rest.

There is a stretch of about 74kms of shitty corrugations to deal with. The worst part is, we have to come back this way tomorrow as we head back South towards Birdsville AND we will have the extra weight of fuel on roof racks.
We did see a couple of nice flocks of budgies formation flying through the dust and a beautiful pink and yellow sunset.
Mary and I stopped at about 2/3 along the track to wait for the others. It was decided that we should go ahead and book Jervois for the night. It’s 5:45 by now and the others are going to be arriving in the dark at this rate.

Stopped again to tie my sand flag back to the roof rack and back onto the track again

Mary and I made it to Jervois Station about 6:18 and the ‘office’ closed at 6pm. The rest of them arrived about 7pm. Mary and I managed to get their tent up and my stretcher before the others arrived.

The plan is to try and source a new shock in Alice Springs which we would fit back here at Jervois Station. It’s just under 4 hours to Alice Springs. Phil will check in with the Station people to see if there are any other options and ring some places in the morning to be sure. It’s going to be a long drive for them tomorrow.
A nice shower before bed and we are all knackered from that last 80kms or so.