We watched Scorpio rise in the East and a slither of a crescent moon set in the West, with a blood red sunrise. Treated to a night of bright stars, satellites and shooting stars. A strong cool breeze blew all night and got stronger as the sun rose. I think the layman terms for wind speed is, “blowing like a bastard.”.

Furious wind conditions as bird life was forced to clinging to what branch they could find. Except the wood swallows and budgerigars. We came across a flock of grounded Major Mitchell’s, they are a beautiful cockatoo. 

We turned North up the Lajamanu Road and while a minor road it was in good condition. Again the Tanami was alive with birds. Sighted a few lizards and one very large monitor. We came across a herd of camals, who were just as curious about us as we of them. The only vehicle  we see on this 200km road is a road train.

We reach Lajamanu at about lunch. This is a large aboriginal community. We refuel and head of for Kalkarindji, another aboriginal community. As you drive into Kalkarindji you cross the Victoria River, which is a large freshwater river.

We top up with fuel hoping to take the Broadarrow track North into Gregory National park but it’s still out of action. Therefore it’s a stop in the bush along the road. Too dangerous to drive into the night as cattle and donkeys roam the road.

The  last hours of the day are spent eating cheese and biscuits while watching hundreds of Woodswallows gliding back and forth over our campsite.

A mustering crew travelling in convoy pass us by with their horses and gear.

At night a dingo howls 25m from our camp and the proceeds to snoop around appearing near our stretchers and then moving on.  Nothing to see here folks.

Track (22/05/2015 8:03:08am) Buntine Hwy to Lake Argyle in Explorer. You can view a map of it on Hema Explorer Cloud.