Julian & Ali Travels


Approdinna Attora Knolls		May 28 2017


		We arrived at the Knolls about 2pm. In time for afternoon tea. We can be forgiven for thinking this is a culinary expedition. No camping for next 2km. That's 1km each side of the Knolls. We like walking.

		From the dune behind the trucks we can see that the Knolls are about the same height as surrounding dunes. Give or take a bit.

		A more conventional view of the Knolls. From halfway down (or up?) the dune. A different perspective can make them taller.

		But first, a closer look at a gidgee tree. In flower. Its an Acacia.

		Is this really desert? Gidgee trees forever. Since its sunset, a walk to the Knolls.

		A picture of the little knoll from the big knoll. Lake Tamblyn (dry, ephemoral) further away to the left (north west).

		The Knolls are gypsum. Blown from the lake beds. Possibly got a bit wet and became cemented. A sign at the roadside mentioned limestone as well as gypsum. Signs have been known to be wrong. At least confused. They are the same as the rocks we saw at the roadside earlier in the day.

		We've spent a few nights taking advantage of the lack of moon and clouds. Showing our shared lack of knowledge of things celestial. But capable of being enthusiastic about "there's a satellite" and "why is it flashing?". Not to be confused with planes. Unfortunately the camera can't take pictures of stars. So we have to make do with a pic of the moon as it shines tonight.

		Sunrise, we again walked to the top of the big Knoll.

		Much easier to see Lake Tamblyn with the sun rising behind us. Subtle colours. No water.

		There's a water course from the lake that is roughly between us and the trucks. We thought these were tyre tracks. On closer examination ..... more camel tracks. We walked around the area for an hour or so. In search of whatever there was to be searched for.

		Monday 29th May we left the Knolls after two nights. The car park sign seemed so incongruous. Perhaps just sandy rather than remote.

		Lindsays Corner. One vehicle, two people, camped. We'd seen them from afar at the Knoll car park last night. We have joined the French Line. The Knoll Track from the Knolls is noticeably more worn than the southern part. Vehicles are driven about 6km south from the French Line then return to the French Line.

		A marker at the corner explaining who Lindsay was. He traversed the desert with Aboriginal help to locate 9 wells. The wells were re-discovered by Bartell in 1980 after reconstructing Lindsay's journal. We know a bit about them. But not sufficient to find them. Perhaps, one day. They are more elaborate than simple vertical holes that "well" conjures up for us. Descriptions of small angled tunnels and deep holes.

		While stopped at the corner I noticed one of the wheel nut indicators was a bit "off". Just broken and caught on some roadside vegetation. But just in case, a scratch on wheel nut and wheel. To check later. And "later" it seems ok.

		More rocks. We crossed some on the southern part of the Knolls Track. Our truck doesn't like them. Though its reasonably happy with all the humps in the sand. Peter and Margaret seem to be the other way round.

		A survey point. A trig point that's not called a trig point?

		Some of those humps in the sand. About 20km/hr lest the whole vehicle behaves like a pogo stick. Traction is not a problem for us with fairly low pressure. Most times we are in third gear.

French Line Camp		May 29 2017

Gateway

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