After a few days at the resort centre near The Rock I go on the six hour coach trip back to Alice Springs. Originally a small Aborogine settlement it became much larger when an army base was built during the second world war. When I first arrived off the Ghan in daylight the Aborogines were begging and picking cigarette buts from the gutter. When I returned it was just after dusk and many were staggering around in  drunken groups; some had already passed out in shop doorways or on the pavement.

Next day I fly back to Brisbane via Melbourne. Each of the three airports is in a different time zone. Tricky. But it is nice to get back to Wild Fox.

Then Foolish Julie arrives to go sailing for a few days around Moreton Bay. It will be strange to be sharing the boat with somebody. She is sure make the place untidy, drink my rum and beer and try to help with things - all the things single handers hate.  She may even want to have an opinion, God forbid...