Connie Sue camp 98.3kms later to Neale Breakaways camp.
I was in the lead first thing this morning and the track was good …for a little while, until it wasn’t. The corrugations continue to confound and look innocuous but
man, they slow you down and rattle around.
The sun is shining in a way that disguises them. Steve pointed out that if you look in the mirror, they do look about vicious as they feel.
It’s hard to believe it can be so bumpy.
Saw a lovely bird of some sort soaring above the track and lots of flowering gums beside the track this morning.
I picked up a plank of wood (jacking plate) off the road, followed not too much later by a small plastic fold up step. Then a vicious looking small tree. A stop to check a sound underneath (found nothing) and one to remove a stick stuck in the Tvan back wheel. Otherwise just kept on driving.
A 20 minute break at Benchmark XP 87.
Stopped again for a sensational flowering gum – there was a red and a yellow flowering one.
Then shortly later a lunch stop and my lead role is done for today.
Phil found that the steps into their camper had a hinge broken. So the step was removed and strapped to the roof rack.
Back on the road after lunch. Admiring the fresh looking leaves on some of the gum trees that shine and glisten in the sunlight.
Arrived at Neale Junction (the cross roads of Anne Beadell and Connie Sue Highways around 2:15pm. There is also a benchmark XP 77 and another marking “Magnetic Station A.”
Looking at the visitors book, another couple have passed through today and signed the book travelling East/West on the Anne Beadell Highway, we are on the Connie Sue travelling North/South.
Came over a crest and looked out over the surrounding landscape and to the CS Hwy stretching into the distance.
We had entered Neale Bushland Rezerve mid morning and remained in it till just after 4 pm.
Looking for a camp spot proved elusive. So we turned left at one of the few tracks and headed towards the Neale Breakaways hoping for something suitable. Boy did we get more than we bargained for. We arrived as the sun set and golden hour was underway with beautiful warm colours on the quarry like features. There is water seeping around the place and lots of saltbush growing. Limited wood, but Mary and others managed to find enough for a fire pit fire tonight, while Stef and I fueled me up with two ( of the four) jerrycans I am carrying.
Pasta and pancakes for us for tea tonight. Very clear night. The moon is shining brightly just a little under half. Despite this we saw a phenomenon we’ve never seen before – we saw in excess of 12 satellites low in the sky appear from similar place and move in similar directions and fade fast. Hard to describe but amazing to watch them appear again and again over at least a 30 minute period. Sky TV at its best!!!
A quick wash tonight- Mary and Phil had the hot water on!
Into bed by 10:30. Chilly with clear skies and no tree cover.
Miraculously today we had an 8 hour day on the road and covered 170 or so kms – a good day indeed.
Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 