Gt Central to Yulara

Another early wet start, but still not discouraged. Refuelled at Giles whereupon Malcolm forgave the Warburton Mob for shutting the door in his face. At 30 cents a litre cheaper and with a tank the size of ours that was a considerable saving. Asked when the weather might be clearing, Giles being a meteorological centre, and was told not for a cou ple of days. However, that would mean that we would see Urulu at its most spectacular. By Docker River the road had become a quagmire, slippery, slidy mud bath. Speed reduced to 60 at times, and Max changed colour. Malcolm commented if the rain continued the road would likely be closed. We warned some on coming vehicles of the conditions ahead of them.

As the Olgas, Kata Tjuta, were only 5km off the road, we decided to check them out before heading on to Yulara and trying to find the team. We pulled up in the car pack only to find the teams cars were there. Yea, you should have seen Malcolm's face, he was proud as punch at his driving stamina and catching up so quickly. But it was not as good as the surprise we gave the team when they arrived back at their cars after their walk. Hugs all around, even though we were all wet and cold, and completely 'over' the rainy conditions. We drove on to The Rock and it truly was spectacular. I had no idea there would be waterfalls. Were told it was the best rain they had had for 50 years. It helped us cope with the misery of being wet. After lots of photos and oohs and aahhs, we went into Yulara to look for a camp spot. Queues and queues, so we just fuelled up and headed on to Curtain Springs. On the way there, spotted someone by his Wicked camper stopped at the side of the road. We did the right thing to see if he needed help. Yep, out of fuel, so Michael gave him a lift to Curtin Springs to fill up his jerry and took him back, fortunately only a round trip of 16 km. By the time we stopped at the campsite, it was dark, still raining heavily, muddy and I think I wasn't the only one wondering if I would rather not be there. Even more water in the camper, and it was my half of the doona that was wet. I so wanted to hand the camper back by this time, but that wasn't possible. Nasty damp, icky camper – ugh!