Somewhere on the Anne Beadell - July 9 - Day 3 on track.

STATS:

Distance travelled: 101km (wow a big day on the track)

A beautiful sunrise to start the day, as seen in the photo below.

Every second night, was shower night, with the shower tent set up, and water heated on the fire to wash/shower. I must say it was a magnificent shower. I even had water over to attempt to wash my jeans.

Our drive today took us through the area of the Atomic tests, we had lunch near the "Camera Site" which was 43kms down the track.

Rod walking past the sign indicating Camera site C at Emu Atomic Test site.

After lunch, Steve, Sarah, Reve, Rod, Col and I ventured out to the "Totems" which mark the location of the Atomic Test. Stef and Meg and Milani went onto Emu to wait for us. There is some danger from the radiation.

Here's me at Totem 1.

Here is Col at Totem Site 1. Note the metal base in the foreground, this has been bent by the force of the blast, we reckon it was one of the bases of the tower. The Metal bolts were significantly 'bent."

Again note the bent and twisted steel in the girder/whatever on the ground.

pretty much as written, we weren't hanging around for too long!

This photo shows Ska, the Totem marker and yet another warning sign.

While we were undertaking our detour off the Anne Beadell to check out Totem sites 1 and 2. Stef, Meg and Milani were playing in Emu, where they came across the Emu airstrip. Emu was the "township" established to support the whole atomic testing thing. The airstrip was used to fly in heaps of the equipment needed to implement the blast and monitor it.  There was a bit of a game to see how fast we could go, after 3 days at an average speed of about 26kmph. 

Here is Ska and I having a go....we had no hope of catching Steve - you can see his dust in the distance.

Here are the Dundek/Walshes playing at the roundabout in Emu. Evidently they did loops around the roundabout while waiting for us all.

Yep, probably an Eagle nest, it just caught my eye.

Maybe it belonged to this guy.

As the afternoon fell, the sky darkened and it threatened rain.  We managed to select our site and pitch tents prior to the rain. We then rallied around under Stef and Meg's Foxwing, we then added my "Base Camp" shelter. Between the two we had plenty of room to get out of the rain.

We're all good  - wine o'clock has arrived.

Col and Rod are happy too - beer o'clock has rolled around.

Stef is also a happy camper.

Sarah and Reve are well prepared for the "sky wine"

Milani and Meg are cosy, Milani enjoyed drinking fresh water, straight off the "roof"

Col and Rod maintained their standard and were first with their meal - again!!! They were amazing, while we were still setting up tents, they were cooking their meals. Ahhh the benefit of a swag!

Now at this stage, many of you may have noticed, that we have not seen Steve sheltering with the gang....

Ahh there is Steve, slaving away at the back of the car, preparing the feast for the Davey clan.

The rain eased after dinner, we packed up the "base camp" shelter and headed for our tents. Unfortunately, quite a little storm hit us about midnight - resulting in Steve's tent blowing away - he slept in the car. My tent rolled over...with me still in it. Everything was upside down and roundabout - it was a challenge to work out where the door to the tent was. Thanks to Steve and Stef for helping me peg down again.  Stef and Meg, lost the Foxwing  - one wing just flipped over....in the storm.  The next morning the weather report on Steve's "Flying Doctor" radio indicated no weather of "any consequence." We were prepared to disagree.