At last, after much discussion and planning, Ross and I depart Canberra on our desert adventure. Passing through Yass, Jugiong, Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Narrandera, Hay and the Hay Plain we arrive in tiny Balranald for our first overnight stay. On the Hay Plain we saw emus and a couple of hungry wedge tail eagles. We were amazed at the construction of new irrigation channels and vast plantings of cotton and almond plantations. Distance today 650km. Weather fine 16 degrees.