Mates
report no. 9
19th July
Another parents'
report. When we spoke to Ben yesterday
in the Simpson Desert, he told us it
was their 60th day walking and that
they have covered 1000 ks. Also that
they are looking forward to the end.
This last bit across the Simpson Desert
has turned into a real slog, as they
have 100 ks more than originally estimated
to cover. Consequently they are walking
an extra 11/2 hrs a day and not allowing
themselves their day off. The temperature
is warming up and it regularly hits
the high 30ís.
By now they
will know if they are on the right track.
A few days ago they were following a
track marked on their map, when it unexpectedly
forked! Instinct told them to take the
right fork, but the left fork had an
old sign on it with 'To Alice' scratched
on it, so that was the one they took.
Naturally that was in the bit of desert
covered by a missing 40 k strip of map
not in their possession. But by now
they should be OK and on a map with
the GPS fixings working again.
Feral camels
are around everywhere now, likewise
dingoes, but no kangaroos. Their first
encounter with a feral bull camel was
fairly uneventful and a shot over its
head caused it to stroll away eventually.
Their second encounter was not so happy.
Unfortunately it turned into a 'them
or us' situation, and Ben was forced
to shoot two bull camels.
The video
camera has packed up due to sand and
grit they think. Whether it is repairable
in situ remains to be seen. Sam and
the pink Land Rover are with Ben and
Steve all the time, in order to keep
them and the camels fed and watered.
It has turned
into something of an endurance test
now, but they are both still fit and
determined and they will be glad when
they get out of the desert in an estimated
eleven dayís time.
The next
report, with a bit of luck, should come
straight from the camel's mouth - assuming
that Ben or Steve can get to an Internet
Cafe or Cyber Centre in Alice Springs.
If not, we shall send you the last report
as soon as we can.
Peter and
Angela Sturt |
