17th July 2009

Matt not feeling too good today!

We said a quick goodbye to Peta and Helen then slowly packed up camp and hit the road at about 11.30am. Drove back in to Marree for supplies and bumped in to Helen and Peta again. Decided to have lunch at the Marree store where we had the most awesome hamburgers!

Finally after lunch we hit the road to Coward Springs. A few hours travel up the corrugated Oodnadatta Track lead us to the Coward Springs Campsite just before the rush began. It's a popular campsite! Coward springs was a former railway siding that has now been transformed in to a lovely campground. There is a small hot springs and a small musuem in the restored enginer drivers cabin.

We found a nice spot and Matt proceeded to take one of the tyres off the camper as it was making a strange griding noise. A few hits with hammer and the noise seemed to disappear although it appears that the camper brakes aren't working on one side.

After setting up camp we went for a quick dip in the hots springs. It was a lovely little spring but not as hot as we would have liked. That was our bath for the night!

Early dinner and then bed.

18th July 2009

We left Coward Springs and drover about 10km south to see The Bubbler and Blanche Cup, two natural springs that the Aboriginals used to use on their trips through the desert. Contuined 80km's north to William Creek. The road is still quite corrugated. We got to William Creek (population 10) about midday so we went to the pub for a few drinks and lunch. The bar is covered in bits and pieces that people have left over the years - busness cards, ID cards, hats, bras, undies, gaffiti and even a mankini! We set up camp after lunch and spent the arvo reading and having a nap and watching the tourists roll in (yeah it's a tough life!) We can't believe how many people are travelling out here at the moment. Decided not to fly over Lake Eyre as it would cost us $700 and we have heard mixed reports from various people. Went to the pub for dinner and a few drinks and a chat with whoever is there. Ended up chatting to Bill & Elizabeth our neighbours from last night. Home about 10pm - expensive night - $6.50 per can of beer abd $60 for dinner!