DAY 15

DAY 15

5^th July

Up and packing for another day of driving through the mighty Simpson Desert. About 120 km to Poeppel Corner. We went east on Rig Road, lots more dunes, with the odd clay pan between. We stopped on one clay pan and all got out of the car to have a walk on the pan.

We then headed north along the Knolls Track towards Approdinna Attora Knolls. We drove through a little forest full of Gidgee Trees before arriving at the Knolls. Our car was again squeaking and clunking, so much for the new suspension and shocks we put in before our trip! We had to try and climb very carefully and nurse the car through all the bumps...pretty impossible!

At the Knolls we fought the wind and dust while we had some lunch. The Knolls, once the largest dunes in the Simpson, were created by Gypson Dust from the old lakes and sea beds being blown onto the dunes and creating a rocky crust. The Knolls are sacred to the local Aborigines and are a protected and fragile environment. We walked up the trail for a 360’ view over the Simpson and the nearby salt pan. We then continued back up to the French Line and headed east. Lots of sand dunes to conquer. One party of 6 cars pulled over for us to pass, they commented over the radio about the noises coming from ‘the old Pajero’.... funny..... like we couldn’t hear them!

The dunes were fun, lots of soft tops and bumps, so hard to get any run up. Nothing much was stopping the Pajero though! Even the T-Van and Casper were doing a super job. Some people we met earlier at the Lone Gum, Matt and Heidi, decided to tag along with us. We came to one large dune that had two options or tracks over it. Peer pressure and competitive spirit set in. I had two runs at the steep option with a super soft crest at the top....JUST fell short, right on the crest both times L so I reversed back down and took the alternative route. Peter sensibly took the alternative route with his Van, and so did Matt. Col’s first attempt saw him belly out at the top.

 After digging out he backed down and made it over on his second attempt. Casper then also bellied out at the top with two attempts. His front bull bar came off slightly when Col tried to pull him over the top. After being dug out and reversing back down, Bruce also had to take the easier option. One to the Defender. After that bit of fun it was time to continue on. Pete’s ticking engine was crying out for a drink of oil. Col had to turn around and go and give Matt a tow over a dune, then it was good going to Poeppel’s Corner Meeting point of the borders of South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. Other groups of campers were already set up, so we found a spot on the Qld side of the border for our two nights of camping.

Jamie was happy with the menu tonight of spaghetti bolognaise for dinner. We were all looking forward to a good sleep in and rest day tomorrow.