The Express Run

Today we left Port Augusta at 9.00am on the express run to arrive as close to Alice Springs as we could without pushing the boundaries. We had rain most of the day and much greener views than last year, lots of wild flowers were popping their heads up to enjoy the dampness.  It was hard to see the details of the plants at 100km per hour, but with about 600km to cover I was mighty glad the wonderful patrol was able to hold it steady at 100km/h most of the time – a different experience from last year!  An engine rebuild, expanded muffler and winds in the right direction were a god send!!  Another new experience was catching up to and overtaking other vans and vehicles.  Landcruisers, Prados – we caught ‘em all  
 

 
– even a road train!!  “Pop your lights on full mate, and bring it round, all clear up ahead” said the thoughtful truckie over the CB.  “Thanks for that mate,” was Will’s reply “but she’s cranked as hard as she’ll go and we’re turning off 10ks up so we’ll just sit behind.”
We arrived about 6pm at Cadney Homestead, 450km south of Alice on the Stuart Highway.  Last night I BBQd on the outdoor park facilities wearing a t-shirt and jeans under an overcast sky. Tonight we chuckled along with the very dry barman who was wearing thongs and flannelette zip up jacket – I was in jumper, coat and beanie – great looking coonara, shame it wasn’t going!!  Will pointed out the magnificent starry sky as we made our way back to the van – should be clear and dry tomorrow.  So a quiet read, tucked up under the doonas, with the heater going is planned for the rest of the evening while Will does his homework on Cape York, thanks to the loan of a few 4WD CDs!           
Facts and Figures: 683km day, $184 in fuel, dearest fuel $1.399 at both Glendambo and Coober Pedy