Yuendumu and beyond

Coldest night we have had, ended up sleeping in ski fleece and down jacket over my PJs. Slow pack up again and moved on to Yuendumu for fuel at only $1.90 ltr. This is another dry indigenous community and a more positive experience for all. Warlukurlangu people are the traditional dot painting artists and have several internationally renowned artists so we popped into the local gallery. Could have spent hours there perusing the thousand plus pieces of work but having only one more night on the track meant we needed to get some km under our tyres. Julie spied one piece she was keen to buy but left disappointed as it was already sold. Jack made the only purchase of a painted spear. Still following the corrugations but a more lush bush with visible waterholes and hills. Set up camp on the edge of an old cattle yard. Jack went in search of horns but only came back with a small rodent skull - still treasure enough and ceremoniously handed to Pampa to bring home safety. Heaps of paddy melons growing around so a game of interesting catch ensued jack having accidently lobbed his cricket ball in the fire which surprisingly rapidly consumed it, at the quarry.
We camped near the turn off to another community which advertised an art gallery so we left the boys with the snatch strap to collect firewood for the last hooray fire. Bounced our way 30 km up to the community but couldn't find any sign of the gallery. Enquiry at the general store advised the whole cultural centre had been burnt down a couple of months ago so bounced our way back. We did get to see a wild camel though. Back at camp the boys had heaved and hauled masses of wood and set up the fire to rival all others ready for the celebratory toast to the end of the Tannamai.