Way out West 2025. 22nd of July.  Day five  

William Creek to Eringa Waterhole.

Way out West 2025. 22nd of July. Day five – William Creek to Eringa Waterhole.

After a windy night and the brain working overtime in frustration, it was warm and toasty in the van with the lid closed. (Too windy for the canvas back)
I got up a couple of times to check the heater in the car and it was drying the under carpet felt reasonably well. Put it into the passenger footwell on high at about 6:00am.

Then it was up to start re-packing things that were everywhere.
Stef and Phil put the seats back in and we left the carpet up to dry some more. A heap of bits and pieces in the Tvan for today.

Ready to roll when a couple from behind with the same Tvan came over to check out the awning bracket. On our way at 9:15.

The Oodnadatta Track was good and bad. Smooth bits balanced with horrible corrugations.

We had a brief obligatory stop at Algebuckina Bridge. (Old Ghan Rail Infrastructure)

Oodnadatta and the still very Pink Roadhouse for fuel and lunch. (Yet to make a lunch this trip. We do like to share the $$$ around)

Headed off up the Oodnadatta Track and turned off towards Hamilton Station and onto Eringa waterhole to camp for the night.

Along the way I spotted one Sturt Desert Pea – it looked great in its natural beauty. Stef, Mary and Phil had time to pull up for pics.

Also stopped to pick up a lost towball and tongue – sitting dangerously in the middle of the track.

Phil and Mary’s towpro brake controller stopped functioning properly.
We pulled over to let a few cars past.

We were the only ones pulled up along the waterhole. The water was sparkling in the sunlight. Picked up some wood on the back of the Tvan and we had time to set up and chill as the sun set. The fellas started playing with the brake controller- not mine for a change.
Mary and I got the cameras out as the golden hour sunset started.

I was at the loo and saw two galahs in the beautiful light, but they took off before cameras could get there.

There was a bird soaring over the waterhole, I yelled out to Mary and then he came over and landed on a tree on our side of the river and just stayed there. We think he/she is a young Brown Goshawk/Nankeen Kestrel – the chest feathers are still fluffy.

A couple of galahs also perched outside their hollow.

Sunset shots on the waterhole and camp surrounds.

Lit the fire eventually, and had some nibbles and a drink. That’s what it’s all about.
Left over Butter chicken and Lamb Korma tonight.

And there is the stargazing in a perfectly still night.