Across the Simpson Desert (Day 6)

To The Simpson Desert (Yay!), the gluepot, more fun than Luna Park! Burnt fingers, a bit of history and shiny pots.
~ So dry and warm overnight that last night's handwashing is bone dry! 
The Fly boys flew off to the races early morning and peace was restored.
No freaking out for me today, jumped into the driver's seat quite confident and off we went - this 4WDriving is a piece of cake!! Did about 20 minutes then Tloml took over. Think he was getting driver withdrawals..or, 'praps my comment of "ok, let's see what this baby can do" gave him cause to worry for his beloved Defender ;-) 
Whatever, all is back to normal and I'd hidden the axe for the rest of the trip ;-)


We travelled over moonscape type land called the Glue Pot, When it rains, it's totally impassable by anything, and the track can be closed for weeks at a time.

 Finally we entered the Simpson, and all the fun began. Driving over dunes is better fun than anyone can ever have at Luna Park!  Over the expanse of the desert, the dunes get progressively further apart, but higher and steeper.  Air pressure is lowered in tyres and the vehicles slowly advance up the dunes, just as it's about to crest there could be a quick drop, then a catchup and then wow! The scenery from the top of some of the higher ones is stunning. 

The vegetation consists of spinifex cane grass (a finer version than what we're used to), the vehicles regularly have to check the front undercarriage to clear any accumulation of the grass which could pose a fire hazard! 
There are wattle trees with their bright yellow flowers. My photos don't do the scenery any justice at all, the contrasting colours are brilliant... I won't rave on, but gosh it's a great place.

Purnie Bore - and it's hot hot hot

A lunchtime stop at Purnie Bore. It's not a natural waterhole, a bore was sunk by teams during the oil exploration years of the Simpson. As time passed, leaks in the bore allowed a large amount of hot water to surface and develop into a sizeable lake. 
A sign at the bore reads "Danger The bore water temperature exceeds 80deg celcius and will cause serious burns. Do not step beyond the fence."  I just had to step beyond the fence and check it out though. Ouch, yep, there's a reason for the warning sign. 
I should mention at this juncture that our beaut children have always supported our little adventures. However, it's acts like the axe episode and this last one that has caused them to shake their heads and to sometimes be in despair of their wayward parents. Sorry kids.... um, love yas ;-)


Made camp 35km from the Colson Track in late arvo. This track was named in honour of Edward (Ted) Colson who was the first european to cross the Simpson Desert. In May 1936 he left Blood Creek and crossed the Simpson from west to east to Birdsville. He returned to Blood Creek across the desert, deviating in part along a more southerly route. He was accompanied by an Aboriginal companion, Peter Ains, and five camels. The expedition traversed more than 900 kms of largely unexplored country in just 36 days. Many believe Colson's achievement has been inadequately documented and it was for that reason that a full account of his journey was made by Mark Shephard in his book "The Simpson Desert, Natural History and Human Endeavour" - a great read! I should add that no money has changed hands for this blatant promotion of a book, we just happen to like it!


Dinner was, as always, delicious. Crumbed veal, vegies followed by chocolate cake with liquer icing. Yum.  
I elected to scrub pots as part of my night's chores. Kind of nice just standing there, taking in the camp activities and well, making those big stainless steel pots all nice and shiny. Hmmm is the sun getting to me?


Mileage for the day 141km