We hit the road from Kings Canyon in good time, mid morning and fill the Nissan up at a cost of $2.30/L!!! Bloody hell hey....
The worst thing about the drive from Uluru to Kings Canyon then back out to Eldunda is that you have to double back all the time, you can't just drive to the places in a loop. As we head out on the Lassiter highway we drive up to this woman who flagged us down to stop. Their tyre on the back of their 1970's caravan had come completely off its rim and the wires from the tyre were all stuck in everything. The 50+ old lady and her younger friend, in her 20s, we're heading to Uluru. She had blood coming from her hands were the metal had cut her and a kitchen knife out trying to cut the old tyre (what was left) off the rim. Long story short, Marty saved the day and helped the danzels in distress. All she wanted us to do was take her details and call her roadside assist when we got reception. Well Marty did better than that and fixed the bloody thing with some muscle and ingenuity. She was so happy, seeing she was in the middle of nowhere and it was another hot day, that she offered to pay us with cider and champagne as she had no cash.... We of course, said it was no problem and they could keep their beverages. Our good deed for the year!!!
We eventually got to Eldunda roadhouse, a little later than expected, and the girls were "starving"! As we pulled up l saw " a bush bus" parked. Now l had heard about these "bush buses" during my working time in Alive from patients telling me that's how they got there from community. So it was great for me to come across one. All the people looked absolutely stuffed as they got off the bus, stuff that l thought. But at least it's a way for them to get medical assistance and stuff done in town that they otherwise wouldn't be able to do back in their community. Anyway, we got some food, luckily we got in before the bus mob went in, then put a splash of diesel in the Nissan (at a reasonable $1.99/L this time), then headed off down the Stuart highway towards the state border.
During the drive, Marty and l talked about some issues and decided to give the traveling another three months then reassess. Hopefully we can continue for longer, but at least it's a start. As we crossed the NT/SA border Marty didn't stop to do the "Ralph" dance but did give it "the finger".... As l said goodbye to NT and hello to SA, we straight away felt the bumps of the SA roads, plus we lost an hour and had to turn the clocks forward stuff it!!!
The drive to Marla was boring. That's all l can say. Not much to look at but trees and desert. We did however overtake a solar panel controlled car which was exciting. Yes, l know, we must have been bored!! Lol... We got to Marla and took the left turn into the roadhouse and booked a powered site for $31 per night. Total rip off but your in the middle of nowhere so they can charge you what they want. After setting up, it was way past beer o'clock for Marty. We both were exhausted, massive day physically and emotionally in the last 24hrs. Was pretty good that we were able to chill by 6:30pm really. We had accomplished a tough three hour walk and driven a massive 5-600kms!!! As the girls ran around and played in the grass in front of the van, we looked over to see the bloody solar panel car rock in, only a couple of hours after us. Pretty good effort don't you think? We fed on two minute noodle for dinner and hit the hay, ready to get going in the morning to Coober Pedy. The Cronans are there at the moment and leaving around lunchtime tomorrow, so will be good to see them before they head off.....

Bell Xxx