Managed to get all the wood on the fire last night which was a feat in itself. Summary of Tannamai -great to do but not nearly the challenge we expected. Cloud cover kept the night temperature up so found myself peeling of layers, drifting back off to sleep when I heard several muffled pops. Anxiously crept the zipper on the window open when much to my relief a sky rocket burst into a shower of colour. After ascertaining they were far enough away for us not to be set alight I settled back to a fireworks show while the ever vigilant men provided the "symphonic" accompaniment. The show over the unknowing entertainers slammed their way into their cars and sped off.
At night the vehicles sound like freight trains coming along and can be heard for miles in either direction. All potential for further entertainment or issue having departed I rolled half of the symphony onto it's side and drifted back to sleep.
Managed to stoke the fire again for Leon the fire toaster's last job on the track before packing up. Had our last intake of red dirt last night with baked spuds in Ned who is a gas cylinder BBQ pit. No matter what you do it gets in. Packing up their tent Julie found a gecko in the bedding, not sure how long it had been there but planned to release him after inspection when he set himself free. Thought it had crawled back in later when a second one was found. After a bit of scouting around worked out there was two and managed to set them off together. Not sure if we are starting a unique population of geckos on the Tannamai or not. It was our morning of little critters with Jack finding a true centipede with stinger and all when shoveling dirt on to the fire. Last nights attempt at critter spotting had only managed to flush out some giant ants which we left to their own devices.
Called in to Tilmouth roadhouse to pump the tyres up for the last 180 km into Alice. Tilmouth proved to be a little oasis selling local indigenous artwork, a fully grassed camping area and pool. Julie managed to find a piece of artwork she liked and we hit the bitumen for our CABIN in Alice. The last dirt 50 km of the Tannamai was very washed out after the rains with the grader shoving the dirt around just enough to get one lane open. Why grade it? It's going to be tarred in the next year or so.
Feeling a bit torn about leaving the Tannamai it is definitely a chilled way of life but it will be so nice to not be covered in dust 24/7. Alice also sees the departure of all our traveling companions.
With each kilometer towards Alice came gradual signs of civilization - sign posts lines down the road - (though one had obviously been painted after "bush" tea as it meandered all over the road in one direction) and fences. Final photos under the Road sign and back to the real world.
At night the vehicles sound like freight trains coming along and can be heard for miles in either direction. All potential for further entertainment or issue having departed I rolled half of the symphony onto it's side and drifted back to sleep.
Managed to stoke the fire again for Leon the fire toaster's last job on the track before packing up. Had our last intake of red dirt last night with baked spuds in Ned who is a gas cylinder BBQ pit. No matter what you do it gets in. Packing up their tent Julie found a gecko in the bedding, not sure how long it had been there but planned to release him after inspection when he set himself free. Thought it had crawled back in later when a second one was found. After a bit of scouting around worked out there was two and managed to set them off together. Not sure if we are starting a unique population of geckos on the Tannamai or not. It was our morning of little critters with Jack finding a true centipede with stinger and all when shoveling dirt on to the fire. Last nights attempt at critter spotting had only managed to flush out some giant ants which we left to their own devices.
Called in to Tilmouth roadhouse to pump the tyres up for the last 180 km into Alice. Tilmouth proved to be a little oasis selling local indigenous artwork, a fully grassed camping area and pool. Julie managed to find a piece of artwork she liked and we hit the bitumen for our CABIN in Alice. The last dirt 50 km of the Tannamai was very washed out after the rains with the grader shoving the dirt around just enough to get one lane open. Why grade it? It's going to be tarred in the next year or so.
Feeling a bit torn about leaving the Tannamai it is definitely a chilled way of life but it will be so nice to not be covered in dust 24/7. Alice also sees the departure of all our traveling companions.
With each kilometer towards Alice came gradual signs of civilization - sign posts lines down the road - (though one had obviously been painted after "bush" tea as it meandered all over the road in one direction) and fences. Final photos under the Road sign and back to the real world.
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