Curtain Springs to Mount Dare (not Dalhousie Springs)...why you ask?

Last night we stayed only 83km from Ayres Rock but having left Yalara at 5:30pm we were not in the mood for much driving. We found Curtain Springs and it was a free camping ground, very rocky but a close place to set up camp (in huge dark) and get dinner on (sumac steaks at the springs) and relax after a huge day. The sunset was lovely and the rear of the rock was at the south east of us (a shape you wouldn't recognise) and Tim and I could sit back and enjoy.

This morning we woke to a lovely sunrise too - so golden and red compared with yesterday so in a way I wish we had another night at The Rock (we were mean to be there for 3 days in the original plan) as we would have seen something even more spectacular. Tim and I will come back to this place as there is so much more to see, do and experience culturally and environmentally - it is not about a climb or walk challenge for us.

Before breakfast we had a pet come right up to us! Dave tried to feed Fred! I then got some bread to feed him and as soon as I presented some he started coming at me with his neck raised and eyes focused on me. I can't believe how big the feet on an emu is!

We have a long drive infront of us today and it is nice to drive just under the speed limit and relax with the air conditioner on low and it is only 8:57am and we are already in shorts and t-shirts. So off we go as we have a long way till morning tea break at Kulgera Roadhouse. We have done 192km and find fuel here for $2.09 so 50.94L more has cost us $106.46 a bargain really! Kulgera has a beer garden and it is officially known as the first and last pub in the Northern Territory - wonder if Tim will have a beer? A great stop where the owner was so helpful and allowed us to refill the water tank on the roof with the boar water. This is perfect as our plans have changed...we are now heading from the springs back into the Simpson Desert. We wouldn't do something like that on our own so best to stay as a group!

We have bought some HEMA maps and today we can follow exactly where we are heading. From this we (just off the Sturt Highway) we then turned left towards Finke. On that track about 125km along we stopped to have lunch at Lambert's Centre of Australia. What a geographical achievement to have surveyed this landmark. Now back on our way only 201km till Dalhousie Springs. I can't wait as I have heard about Peninsular Springs, Hepburn Springs and can not wait until we take a dpi in the Dalhousie Springs - I am even wondering if they can do a pedicure or a facial!

But on the way, there is always a but, we encountered some boggy swamps. One of these was particularly bad just before Mount Dare. Tim decided that the bog was something he could go through, it was hard and a lot of harsh steering but he managed to get to the end. However, then Peter and Leah decided to go through but got bogged right at the end. The owner of the Mount Dare Hotel saw and heard what was happening and came to offer some support and advice. After tying to let the tyres down and reverse and get out on their own it was decided to winch them out. Dave set his car up and off we went! Upon arriving to the hotel we discovered that they were out of diesal so we were unable to keep going along to the Simspson Desert. Instead we found ourselves back on the road at after 5pm trying to get to Dalhousie Springs for the night.

But then, just when we only had 69km to go poor Robyn and Dave discovered that their dual cab Toyota had a severe structural failure where some bolts that hold the canopy and roof top tent had vibrated themselves loose. We all pulled over only a few km from Mount Dare. The boys fixed the car (Rob was excellent at trouble shooting) while the girls organised some wine and snacks (thanks Irma and Leah) to enjoy the sunset. And this has to have been one of the best sunsets we have had to date!

This meant we were back on the road by 7:30pm travelling in the dark on a dirty and very dusty 4WD track for possibly another 1-2hours depending on the bogs and dust! A few of us were unhappy about this, we voiced our opinion and Peter put it to a vote. I was told that as soon as one is unhappy we stop (but this caused a great deal friction) and we were setting up camp in the dark, beside the track, late at night and with not much time to cook dinner. 

Noodles for everyone tonight!