To the west Earths only natural satelite was slowly setting casting a pearly glow on to the stone ruins. To the east the closest star Helios was rising with its golden rays piercing through the windows and doors. I am beginning to really enjoy these early morning starts (but don't even think this will occur when I get back home!)

Having packed camp, we set of for the Gammon Ranges National Park. The track north is well maintained due to the gas trucks that travel this way to the Moomba and Gidgealpa gas fields. As you head north you pass the vast salt lake of Lake Frome. The track also crosses part of the dog proof fence.  They have introduced more modern tools to deter the dingos including strange electronic noises that sound like a truck reversing ( I worked this out after fearing I was about to be run over by a gas truck).

  When I was planning the trip a sign on the map saying Erudina woolshed sounded interesting.  Not knowing what was there and being a 40 km diversion off the main track, the unknown is part of the adventure. Several km later we came to the turn off to the woolshed however it had a sign saying private road no entry.  Not being able to read English we decided to push on as we did not want to have to back track.  

Not long after stopping to have a look, a dust cloud started heading our way.  Unsure weather to flee a potential angry farmer with a shotgun, we were too slow and a truck pulled in.  Turned out being another local who had just come from the local homestead and was passing through.  He said it was OK to look around and gave us a bit of history of the place.  While no longer operating it was once a thriving shearers quarters.

Talking more we asked about the track ahead.  He said he would not recommend it as it was very boggy.  So what to do.  From here we had two choices.  Continue on and see how bad it really was or play it safe and go back the way we came.  Of course we chose the only correct answer. ....... We decided to keep going and see how bad it was. 

The track meandered through the open country, two small wheel tracks the only thing between us and getting lost.   The question on our mind - was the track going to get worse?

Trying not to think about it, one thing I have always wanted to see was Sturt Desert Peas flowering in the wild.  Amazingly as we rounded a bend there in front of us on the track were these magnificent black and red stooping petals on a dark green rambling carpet.  The further we travelled along the track more of these flowers lined the edge.  

Eventually we made it back to the main track and luckily for us no bogs along the way.  Sometimes the diversions are the best part of the trip.

From here we made it to the National Park just in time to set up camp and get another fire warming our toes for the night.