Wednesday 26 July 2000

Drove through varying countryside and road conditions – clay capped or rocky gravel to the Dalhousie Mound Springs (natural hot springs from the Artesian basin that create mounds around them from deposited minerals).  An oasis in the desert.  However, it was rather too cold and windy to contemplate having a dip in the bath temperature pool.  Drove onwards to Purni Bore – an uncapped bore into the artesian well – much hotter here.  Positively steaming when it comes out of the ground. 

Continued eastwards and soon came to the junction where the French Line leaves the other options.  Sand track running at 90 degrees through (well, up and down) many dunes of vegetated, not Sahara type.  Saw a group of camels and heaps of animal tracks.  Stopped east of Colson Junction and cooked pizza for tea in the camp oven.