b'Sept 2022 Trackwatch.qxp_Trackwatch Layout 18/09/20229:37 pmPage 23From Lyndhurst we travelled 15km At Marree we picked up Phil who had It was rather a cool night, camped inup the Strzelecki track to Talk Alf managed to find a new tyre and have a sandy creek bed by a magnificentArtworks, a very rustic/primitive it fitted.We inspected the old Afghan railway bridge.residence surrounded by Alfs Mosque & Art Water Tank and the old We were up at 6:45am and ready toSoapstone carvings.Alf was not at Ghan railway infrastructure.We then roll at 8:30am.home. headed off to find a camp for the The Oodnadatta Track was in goodDr Phil left the group and headed night. condition so we sat on 80km mostly.straight to Maree hoping to get a We initially stopped at the old A contingent of motor bikes wasreplacement tyre.By the time we Wangianna Railway Siding but it was travelling the same route and overtookarrived he had successfully had a too open and the mossies were us at various times. We stopped tonew tyre fitted. horrendous. We moved on finding a look at sculptures along the way andWe headed off to the historic town- short track leading to a dry creek and surprised ourselves in passing aship of Farina where a group of old railway bridge, and setup camp horse drawn Gypsy Wagon.volunteers have restored the old for the night. First stop was to view the risingunderground bakery and a few other While in Marree Dr Phil had run waters of Lake Eyre. Not surprisingbuildings. The town comes to life across a group of 50 or so trail bikes was the fact that Robin encounteredearly in June each year where the that were part of an organised tour some grey nomads with a seriousvolunteers restart the bakery for a few crossing the Simpson via the French stove problem. Still unsure whether heweeks.A new souvenir and coffee Line.We ended up playing tag with helped them out or not! (did not)shop has been constructed to these bikers all the way to Mt Dareservice the tourists. Hotel where they turned southFrom Farina we headed to Marree towards the French Line and again atwith a short stop at the memorial for Birdsville.the explorer, John McDougall Stuart. May 16th. Trip notes by Jo Trans Continental Hotel, Farina SA Marree RoadhouseTRACKWATCHSEPTEMBER 2022 21'