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Tuesday 23rd

Just left Cadney Homestead, where we camped last night. This morning's dawn chorus was the throaty roar of trucks visiting the petrol pumps, with harmonies provided by campers' 4WD vehicles departing early. We had marsupial mice scampering through the campsite as soon as it got dark - bigger than normal mice, with big black eyes. Also longer tails. Very timid.

Yesterday saw us at Coober Pedy. I have just learned that the name comes from the indigenous name 'kupa' 'piti' - 'white man' 'hole in ground'.

We did touristy things such as noodling for scraps of opal and touring the Old Timer's Mine. Kat and Michael - remember the camel carving? Enjoyed the town less this time - many more people around, including beggars.

Am I becoming cynical in my old age? The idea of all these people living out here and the expense involved (financial and physical) just to dig pretty rocks from the ground doesn't seem right somehow.

The down jackets have been packed away and the thermals might be following tonight. It is much warmer and drier now. We no longer have a wet roof inside the tent overnight.

Interested to see 'tiere am weg' road signs with pictures of a cow and a sheep. There are also Japanese symbols on the signs.

We've seen a few cyclists coming north - don't envy them in the least. The headwinds are fierce.

Wednesday 24th

We've crossed the SA/NT border - had lunch there. Still enjoying Mum's home cooking - a bit of peanut slice still left. Thanks Mum - they've been much appreciated each coffee/tea break.

Camped at a 24-hour rest stop about 160km before Uluru. When we fueled up at Kulgera, there was a newspaper article about the current mouse plague. Last night we had the wee beasties everywhere - running over our feet, climbing the tent walls, diving into the crate with our saucepans. Tim even caught one by putting some bread in the bottom of a flask!

We are currently driving past Mt Connor - a mini-Uluru.

Later today - we are no at Uluru campsite. Tim and Austen climbed Uluru today (see photo album). They were lucky to be able to climb today - it has been closed the last two days due to strong winds. So glad we are driving to Queensland - Tim has seen so much.

The mouse dilemna has been resolved - tonight we are surrounded by marsupial mice - you can compare the photos in our photo album! These guys aren't quite as tame as last night's - they are running past our feet rather than over them!

It's nice to have time to sit and type rather than trying desperately to blog and SMS before losing connections. Next job is to write a heap of post-cards.

Tomorrow we plan to get moving early and go to Kata-Tjuta (the Olgas) for the day. Hoping to get some sleep tonight - last night was an 'are we there yet' sort of night, as in lying awake watching the stars, listening to the mice sliding from the roof down the walls and waiting for dawn.Tonight we have the huge campsite diesel generator roaring in the background...

I was wrong about the thermals - the nights are still pretty cold. Off to bed now to try to get warm. Goodnight all - love to everyone.