Significant change to itinerary. Have decided to part company with S&Y now and rejoin forces in Cooktown on 10 June. They need to do at least 400km per day to see Lawn Hill & still make it to Cooktown by the 10th. That is too tough an ask - setup, packup then drive 400km each day. It's better for both of us as S is worried he's pushing too hard & I'm worried I'm holding them up. Missing Lawn Hill is a shame but it can wait until next time. As it t...

Last night had 2 noteworthy events. One was that the camper was infested with egg-laying ants. They were everywhere but the issue is that they eat/leave holes in the canvas making the tent look like Swiss cheese! The other is that mice are in plague proportions in NSW. We shooed 3 out but missed others who eventually slept with me. They were finally evicted when we stopped for a toilet break! We travelled a further 400km today and have set-up camp at a rest ar...

Got away to a good start. Arrived in Echuca shortly after noon. Bought some lunch & was about to meet up with S & Y. Then the wheel fell off! Fortunately not on the highway at speed but In carpark. Ok it's true that I mustn't have tightened the wheel nuts after replacing the wheel before departing! Called RACV & they were great. Replaced the studs & the nuts and bought a new rim from the local wreckers. Fitted the new rim (& tyre) and was on...

Leave tomorrow & amazingly everything that needs to be done has been done. That alone is a small miracle. Plan to leave about 9.30 so as to miss the worst of the morning traffic and still get to Echuca for lunch. Let the adventure begin!

Preparations are proceeding well. Remaining tasks, aside from packing the camper, relate to preparing the house during my absence. Departure date of 19 May 2011 will be comfortably met. First nights camp will be Hay and will meet up with SP at the CP.