Consuming a quick breakfast, the rest of my water and at least four flies,


I wheeled out of the little camp-spot, justifiably refusing to pay my camp fees.


Despite the best intentions, the tanks were empty.



This was one of those ‘must do’ days where I had to get to Darwin in time to find a place to stay and be ready to drop Ziggy off in the morning. For her 40,000th birthday I’m giving her all new fluids, adjusting the valves and whatever her big BMW heart desires, err…requires.

Katherine was still 170kms away, and Darwin 300kms further north. The roads were again empty as they had been for most of the trip apart from the odd road-train and blue commodore. Storms again threatened and some blustery winds tried to push us around, but Ziggy had none of it and we arrived in Katherine and topped up the fuel.

Due to the rain associated with the recent cyclone and an early start to the wet season, the landscape became greener and more lush; the ‘water over road’ signs marked newly dried tarmac; the numerous floodways had pools at the side of the road inching back from the domain of tyres; all an indication of how recently the rain fell.

But for me and Ziggy it was dry skies and dry tarmac all the way. I came across my first real traffic for the trip as Darwin neared, but being a Sunday I think I was spared the worst of it.

After some spiritual consultation with My Maps, Google Maps, Booking.com, Hotels.com and Google search, I settled on a van park just four kilometres from tomorrow’s rendezvous with Ziggy’s maker…or at least their rep.

I unloaded the gear, and tucked Ziggy into her cover, while I had a well earned dip in the pool, dinner from my vast stores and some calls to worried relatives to advise that I’m still alive and they are still in the will.

A bit light on with the piccies for this leg. The next two full days I spent in Darwin getting Ziggy serviced and catching up with some old friends.

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When you come to a fork in the road…take it!

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