Rolled out of Alice following a breakfast at the hotel bit basic but ok $10 for a continental. It was already warm we have a long way to go.

Road houses figure mainly on the route as the road is almost dead straight and nothing remarkable to report on early on. Ti tree we could at least get an ice cream.

Barrow Creek was a step back in time even the petrol pumps were from the 70s. In the pub the walls were covered in writing and items stuck to the wall. I find out later that this has become a tradition as in years gone by Shearers would pin a $note with their name on it to the wall, so that next time they passed by they would have enough money for a beer. Now travellers leave notes instead of money but the sentiment is the same. The owner insisted in showing Lindsay and Marian some Canadian memorabilia not show how it was collected it all seemed a bit random.

Wycliffe creek was where we had thought we would stay. Apparently a UFO spotting hot spot. As we arrive there was a lot of commotion going on in the small cafe. it's seems that the local indigenous people shout a lot, over what? we could not make out. It added a bit of an edge when we went into the cafe to check out what accommodation was available. The campsite looks ok lots of shade and grass plus cockatoos roosting in the trees Still early and it's hot we go on.

On the way we pass another site of cultural spiritual significance the Devils Marbles.
the reserve protects one of the oldest religious sites in the world as well as the natural rock formations found there. Karlu Karlu is the local Aboriginal term for both the rock features and the surrounding area. The name for the rocks and boulders is the following quote:

This is the Devil’s country; he’s even emptied his bag of marbles around the place! - John Ross, Australian Overland Telegraph Line expedition, 1870

Again the colours in the rocks in the late afternoon sunshine was beautiful. 

We stop for a drink at this monument, its to two guys who were killed on the Cannonball run, they were japenese and lots control of their ferrari and kileed themselves and two marshals. No speed limit in Northern Territories .

We also crossed the Tropic of Capricorn heading north this time not south.

Late afternoon now and there seems more insects and birds around as we ride small flocks of zebra finches dive and flit across the road in front of us. Getting so close, you feel the need to duck. Then the inevitable happened and a number were not so quick and did not get out of the way hit Tom in the chest and leg. One going into the vent on his riding trousers. It did not fly off so we stop. On the side of the road Tom tried to extract this little bird. However he could not reach it, it seemed to have gone down into the lining of his trousers. On the side of the road off came his boots and trousers. Where was the bird??? No where to be seen.

Tenant Creek we arrive just as the sun was setting first hotel we tried is full apparently there is a government conference. Helpful receptionist rang round and found 2 rooms at the goldfields motel we couldn't miss it the pub with the big yellow sign in the centre of town. We pull up out side first impressions were not great bit rough around the edges. However Gary was expecting us so we should at least have a look. We get a great welcome from the bar manager the rooms in the motel are ok a bit smelly but ok $125, pub has cold beer and food so we are in.

Dinner later was a huge portion of butter chicken very tasty. We are an attraction and a talking point for some of the locals. A couple of aborigines say hello and want to chat, the manager told them to "stop humbugging the people and to go". When they wouldn't they got thrown out. It appeared that there is a bit of a segregated society. We asked how they can afford to drink as everything is so expensive were told about the numerous government handouts given to the various aboriginal group for land rent etc. this is then in some cases just blown on booze. It would have been interesting to talk further to the couple however best not to cause any problems. Particularly as they had already mentioned black magic and the law!!