Part 2

You may be wondering why a massive first part to our adventure and a rather shorter version now? Well that's what happens when you forget your password for Google and Blogger and need to reset!
To continue our story...
On our way back from Muloorina, we came upon some unusual stainless steel contraptions normally found on a truck. It appears these things have fallen off the truck on its way either, in or out of the station. No doubt the truckie who lost them would be most put out when the time came to unload. They apparently (according to hubby) are used to put the stabilising legs down when disconnecting a trailer.
Well our good deed for the day was to pick these up and transport them into the Police Station at Marree. As it turns out this was fortuitous as on asking the police lady as to the opening of Birdsville track, she informed us "Anything under a semi-trailer is able to go through to Birdsville". Whahoo! Just the news we wanted to hear. The signs still are saying 4WD only and under 3 tonne, but I prefer the Marree Police policy.
After picking up a few essentials - bread, milk, vanilla slices (other travellers) it was onto the track. I was a little excited, as this was the only track I had yet to travel in this part of the world. Oddnadatta - tick! Strezlecki - tick! Birdsville now the last challenge.
The road although rough, was still in relatively good condition. Very few corrugations, patches of stone and some clay. Throw in the odd wet patch or river crossing and all was making for an interesting drive. It wasn't long before the gibber plains took over the entire landscape. The shimmering rocks made for wonderful mirages. It was easy to think how the old explorers would have been caught out many times when first pioneering this land.
The occasional sand dune was driven over; mostly of the grey type. Red dirt still a while away closer to Birdsville. The land was dry and dusty though with little evidence of rain for years. We were yet to reach the channel country and its wondrous floodplains.

Finally we made our camp that night halfway along the track at a place called Mungerannie. A quaint hotel in the middle of nowhere, with the owners just as excenttric. A very substantial meal and a few red wines (or beers) and it was time to head to bed. We were crooned with Dingo howling for the night. The outback lullaby.
Our male traveler was in his element here as he has a great knowledge and enthusiasm for the old postman Tom Kruse. Even Tom's old

truck was here in the yard, which made both men swoon.
Next day, onto Birdsville - only another 300 kms to go. More river crossings, sand dunes and gibber plains and we passed into true channel country. Green grass as high as your knees reached, in between some dunes (but not all). It certainly was a hit-and-miss business this water caper. A slight detour from the regular road via the bottom of a sand dune made for eventful driving. But the lagoons and water still present in the outback made it all worthwhile.
Finally we made it to Birdsville without much mishap. Paul found a nail in his tyre?? with produced a slow leak, but other wise all unscathed.
Well a day of washing, clothes and cars has ensured. We are now
ready to start our next journey to Mt Isa and beyond. A trip to the racecourse, cemetery and tip and we've seen the sights - according to the fellas. At least I had a look at one of the videos playing at the information centre about the Diamantina  Shire and the residents who make up this unique part of the world.

Gibber plains

Until next part - stay tuned.