This morning was a travel day as we made our way from Palm Valley to Kings Canyon.  Despite only being 250km and nothing to really stop and see, it still took us most of the day doing the Mereenie Loop.  

 

Setting up camp at Kings Creek Station we had a nice spot amongst the trees and a fire pit with star picket holder perfect for the billy.  

There is something mesmerising about a campfire as the flames dance over the red and white coals.  You sit and watch the sparks float into the ink black sky to merge into the stars. 

When I was camping by myself the campfire was my companion preventing loneliness and the unknown ghost from coming out of the darkness. 

With friends it is a gathering point. A place to sit and share different stories, laughs and deeper moments, shifting like the smoke as it moves in the changing breeze.

While the luxury of a gas cooker may provide instant gratification, nothing beats the billy and a camp oven on the open fire.

Best Communal fire - Palm Valley provided a large pyramid shaped communal fire pit where you all had to provide your own wood.  Luckily for us the children scared off the old lady in the onesie so we had it all to ourself.

Best fire with strangers: Somewhere near Finke with a herd of friendly cattle

Tonight's fire would be classified as the 'Best Shared Fire' as our closest friends (I had to say that as they will read this) the Huxleys have arrived to join us.  While I had assumed they would not join us due to them being broken down on the side of the road with a flat tyre with no knowledge how to change it, they surprised me arriving just in time for dinner.

Tomorrow is an early morning start (how early I am yet to see) for our walk.