but the bird book is silent.

We think its because we use colour to help recognise birds as well as shape.

This was one of three road trains, with trailers full of cattle, on private station road the other side of the fence.

We saw the dust from a couple of km so were somewhat relieved when it didn't effect us.

Rock painting is much more difficult for us than petroglyphs.

The ford has a concrete floor.

It wasn't bad fuel, it was a complete loss of water from the engine.

The temperature gauge registers normal once there is no water covering it. I knew that ...

After a long time cooling the engine starts but immediately pressurises the radiator.

We can drive about 5km from cold before the water boils.

I took to this sphere with a hammer to remove the outer shell. Its either natural or the ball out of a ball mill.

These vehicles aren't in trouble. Just stopped for a chin wag. As one does.

It reminds me of a phrase we will hear lots over the next couple of weeks ..... "This is the Kimberley". I like the idea.

I walked down for a chin wag and waited for our engine to cool.

Again.

But what a nice reception. The easy answer to my question about freight and camping was "we'll look after you". And so they did.

My plan was to remove the cylinder head myself and hopefully just replace the head gasket.

A satphone call to daughter Jennifer set in motion finding a gasket set and shipping it to us.

Plan B was to ship to Derby and replace the engine.

After looking at the nuts that held the exhaust manifold, they were a bit rusty and rounded (like they'd been off previously), and after a short attempt to undo one, I realised I would probably do more damage than good. At least the engine was running, if only for a short while.

So organise moving truck to Derby.

A little bit of history. A few days earlier we'd used the satphone to have Jennifer locate a windscreen in Derby for their vehicle.

Once at the gorge car park a boat to cross the river.

Very nice swimming in deep pool in front of the waterfall.

It came out easily and worked as expected.

Derby Stock Supplies transport leaves Derby on Tuesdays. Wednesday at Mt Barnett Roadhouse. Thursday or Friday return depending on where they have to deliver.

Up was clear water, down muddy water.

Not sufficient depth for swimming.

I followed a cattle track and found the pool within a couple of km.

Isn't gps wonderful.

Which included dental and school nurse.

We aren't very good at asking for help, far too independent. However, within a couple of minutes of starting the "who are you what are you doing" sort of conversations one has we were offered accomodation in Derby.

And a lift to and from the gorge when people finished work for the day.

And sharing movies in the evenings.

It was Thursday evening when the returning road train arrived, and Friday morning (at 6am) when we drove our truck onto it.

The loading bay was a ramp dug into the earth with a concrete slab across the end.

In a sort of convoy with the two other returning road trains.

A heavy equipment fitter rather than the very busy automotive shops.

After discussion we changed to plan B.

But in the meantime we had accommodation on the assumption we wouldn't have the truck available.

Old handle had failed so handle from new lock fitted to old lock.

Easy really.

On the assumption we would lose the truck for some time I purchased a battery charger and a motorcycle battery to give us 12v.

Terminal block with cigarette sockets, hella sockets and usb sockets.

Phone, modem, radio, computers, etc.

We soon realised we could use the truck which was then parked outside the shed.

This is our "bridgehead". We have normal internet and mobile phone rather than just the satphone. Priority was to aquire a replacement engine .... which took about an hour. Transport to Derby at least a week.

After a week our host was due to go away on holiday. We moved to the caravan park which also has rooms, some with kitchen. A bit of juggling with bookings but we are confident all will be well.