Sunday 12th May 2013 – Anne Beadell Highway

Mothers’ Day – Happy Mothers’ Day to mothers everywhere.

It’s much cooler this morning - 8 degrees inside the camper when we got up at 6:30.  There was also a very heavy dew – luckily we had put up the little annexe last night so everything didn’t get damp.

By 10am we had travelled 50 km – a much improved pace on the last few days and fuel consumption pulling the camper is now down to 17.1.  More camels on the track – they look very healthy and didn’t seem to be too bothered by us.  Lunch today at a rest area (toilet and water tank again).

We’re amazed at how well the vehicles are coping with the rough conditions, the only trouble we are having is with the aluminium tray on Arthur’s tray back.  When put together they put the taillights and mudflaps on with tech screws which have vibrated loose over the corrugations.  A few running repairs necessary.

Just before Ilkurlka Roadhouse we had a patch  of very bad corrugation – probably as bad as any we have encountered with speed down to 10 kph.  Arrived at Ilkurlka and fuelled up – $2.70 per litre!!!!! Not helped by a fuel consumption of 16.9 for the tank.  The managers for the roadhouse, Graham and Robyn once lived in Goonengerry and their children went to Mullumbimby High School – it’s a small world.  The roadhouse is owned by the aboriginal community and has a studio out the back although most of the art work is now done at the community.  A hot shower in the camping ground here – much appreciated and dinner around a camp fire was also greatly appreciated.