The cabin had no telephone, so as much as I wanted to check my email and send the last three days of updates, I couldn't. I'm really glad I sent what I could when I could on Tuesday. I'm starting to wish I'd just gotten a mobile modem for my laptop to plug into the PCIMCIA slot. My sony ericsson phone has one built in and can let you connect via bluetooth or IRDA, but I should have gotten my phone "unlocked" before I left the states because it wont accept any other sim card.

On the road we passed the largest radio telescope in the southern hemisphere, in Parkes, New South Wales. It one of several antennas around the world used during the appollo missions to maintain contact with the astronauts as the earth rotated out of view. There was a funny Australian film I remember seeing about it, called, "The Dish". We stopped for a break in nearby Forbes. I found out the name of those purple flowers that cover the hills. It's called "Patterson's Curse" and its hard to get rid of. Apparently it is poisonous to the livestock.

The flies are getting thicker as we get further south. There must be something great in my mouth and ears that makes them keep trying to get in there despite my constant swatting. According to my handy Australian Slang Dictionary, these flies are so common they're almost the national bird.

Our Cabin	Matt's House	Bridge Over Forbes Lake	Matt Showing Off
Ness by the Water	Marnie Showing Off	Aussie Sky

On an incredibly long stretch of road to a town called, "Hay" I got to experience the real outback. In every direction, as far as you can see, stretched nothing but dusty flatness clear to the horizon. It is an eerie feeling of solitude knowing that you are hours away from the nearest rock- formation. It's only the straight black road heading towards one of those horizons, splitting the featureless land in two that lets you think you're anywhere, and its only the car in front or behind you that connects that place to the rest of the world.

In Hay, the servo had no attendant, but we met an interesting bloke who had a terrible day. He ran his car dry and went to open the bonnet (the hood) to prime the lines. But it wouldn't open. So he pryed a hole through with what looks like it must have been a can opener!

We saw an amazing sunset with nothing to block it on the horizon until we got to Mildura to stay for the night. I've never seen so many stars in all my life - even in the caribbean. The milky way is clear as day - not just a fuzzy blob that might be a cloud. There is just nothing out here to pollute the sky with light.

Flatland	Flatland	Flatland	Flatland
Nothing Out There	How Not to Open a Bonnet	Fire Index	Sunset near Mildura
Behind the Trees	Moving Foreground	Sky on Fire	Another Sunset Picture

We searched and searched for a caravan park (trailer and campground) to stay at, but there was no vacancy. I smiled happily inside when everyone settled on a motel. I've got a proper shower, a toilet with a door on it, and best of all - a telephone! The sound of a 28.8 modem never sounded so sweet. I can finally get my email fix and send some updates. I've been typing and uploading into the night now, as everyone else has been sleeping. All is done. I'll check my email in the morning again, but I should get some sleep.