Saturday April 15th 2006

We got up early for the Ridge Top Tour and thought it was just the early rise that made it seem cold so we didn't rug up before heading out on the 41/2 hour tour.  big mistake!!  Cathy's hypothermic body ended up in the front with the tour guide while David stayed out back beneath a warm woollen blanket.  The views were magnificent and we learned a lot about geology. Arkaroola has become one of our first favorite places.  Cathy got a tip off about a short cut to get to the road to Innamincka so we headed off after the tour and the short cut was the most interesting bit of road all day.  We drove 300km before we saw any sign of life.  The tip from the Russell family about staying at Montecollina bore was not so good as the wind was wild, the toilet was blocked and it seemed inhospitable.  Fortunately, Cathy had been chatted up by another tour guide who suggested camping under the Coolibah trees at Strzelecki crossing - our first night camping in the bush away from anyone else.