b'calling directions over the UHF radioas usual. On the way we detoured toHermie Stausss garden where heapparently grew vegetables. To see itnow suggests H. Stauss must havebeen an optimistic and resourcefulman. Pella track runs on the borderbetween farmland and the park. Thefarmland appeared to be a ghostlywhite on first viewing, but closer upone could see that it was that waydue to the remnant bleached stalks ofright spot, I was even able to live Spinifex rings.the previously harvested crop. Thestream the ABC evening news on my The restricted area came to an end, farmland echoes the nearby garden ofphone! With camp set up and a lovely and after locking the gate we headed Hermie Strauss, only successful on anfire for the evening, everyone had a along the James Barrett Nature Drive industrial scale, but their optimismchance to chat and get to know each to reach our picturesque lunch spot at and determination to turn unlikelyother. Whilst its thoroughly enjoyable the Eastern Lookout. A traipse up to country into food producing landdriving through the bush on these the lookout was well worth the suggests they were of similar minds. trips, the social aspect is equally panoramic view of the surroundingrewarding. Everyone has an interest- My map shows that Chinaman Wellcountryside. track divides the northern Southing story to tell, our lives, experiences From here we travelled along some Wyperfeld Wilderness zone from theand backgrounds as varied as the bitumen to the OTIT track which Chinaman Flat Remote and Naturallandscape. A great end to the first follows the enormous Lake Albacutya. Area. It was a yellow sandyday.This led to some rather deep sand undulating sine wave of a track with aNelson Zitnich driving, passing more kangas and lots peak to peak distance of about fiveDay 2: Snowdrift to Western Beach of young, green Paddy melons.meters and dips of about half a meter.(Wyperfeld NP) After this fantastic day in perfect This made for a wallowing drive and IAfter breakfast and a chilly start, we weather, we arrived at the Western watched the Toyota of Ali and Jack inleft Snowdrift Camping Ground in the Beach campsite with plenty of time to front of me pitching up and down as itWyperfeld National Park. set up the campfire and relax before drove along. Ali had elected to spendWith James and Felix leading and dinner. Bob & Doug even indulged in the day in Dougs Perentie and theNelson as TEC we travelled south hot showers.radios crackled with questions to Alieast along Outlook Creek Rd across Thanks James, Felix and the guys about the cup of coffee she had withdry Lake Agnes then onto for a great trip. her. For my own part it was a fun trackPatchewollock Rd. Turning onto the and I hope the nut I lost off my steer-Ali Fithall ing damper there rusts in peace. TheMeridian Track we headed to the Day 3: Western Beach to Kiata track offered great views in all direc-Casuarina Camping Ground for a (Wyperfeld NP and Big Desert) tions from the various sandy hill peaksquick stop and chat with the Ranger,Matt. This was to be the last day of the along the way, and the Chinamansbeautiful sunny weather we had Well itself was a stop of some interest. The group shared some interesting enjoyed since the start of the trip. The From Chinaman Well track westories about what to do with a body if previous evening camps were held headed south on bitumen to Brokensomeone dies in the outback. under a stunning star strewn sky as Bucket where we aired up and ourIlluminating! the moon was absent and light world was alive with the busy soundsWe then headed along the Moonah pollution non-existent. The day of little air compressors going flatTrack to a locked gate where James dawned with early sunlight finding a chat. We then headed to Nhill whereand Felix quickly found the key and light feathery mist over Lake top up provisions and fuel wereallowed us to have access to a MVO Albacutya, mimicking water in a lake bought. Setting off for Kiata camp(management vehicles only) area. that had not been filled since 1974. ground in the Little Desert, a truckAfter a short drive along the Meridian Packing up completed, our little joined our convoy causing someTrack, we stopped for morning tea, convoy set off for Pella track en-route consternation. In front of a healthyand some of us had a pleasant walk to Chinaman Well track in the Big campfire that night we listened to aaround the dry bed of Lake Wonga. Desert, with trip leader James calmly LROCV Zoom meeting for as long asOur winding, white sandy track tookus through a delightful landscapeconsisting of Eucalypts and CasuarinaPines with only a couple of obstaclesto avoid. We were accompanied bynumerous family groups of brownkangaroos who hopped alongside usfor quite a way.After passing Lake Jerriwirrup were-joined the Meridian Track, passedthe Everard Walking Track and sawheaps more kangas, some Emu printsin the sand and lots of lovely hairyTRACKWATCHMARCH 2022 11'