There is a nearly constant stream of travelers stopping at Barrow Creek. Tour buses, caravaners, road train truckers, etc. Its quite entertaining to just sit and watch them... after a while you can predict their actions by their facial expressions and postures; this one to the toilets, another for a desperately needed cigarette, still others either bored or themselves boring and just standing around like sheep. All the while there is the quiet presence of the local Aboriginals who seem to alternately blend into the scenery or spring to life when a tourist bus rolls in with potential customers.
Dave finally rolled in about 3pm, much to my great relief! He was a bit flustered, having had to fix a flat only 1/2 a kilometer out. He said the he'd basically been having a leisurely time catching up to us. He did say that he'd gotten the notes - cool!
The weather has turned cold and over cast with light sprinkles of rain. I bought enough water to make it to either Wycliff Well or Wauchope tomorrow. We've discussed stopping at Wycliff Well 90 km out if the weather or riding is bad, but I suspect that we'll end up riding all the way to Wauchope.
Its 11pm, we are sitting at the bar... but not drinking. It is POURING RAIN outside!!! We are speaking with a German cyclist named Lutzi who has just arrived from Alice Springs in a roadtrain. She has been on the road over a year, having cycled in India, China, Uzbekistan, and numerous other exotic locations.
The rain continues and we are resigned to a VERY wet night out in the tents.
