Banka Banka NT grey Nomad wine, Making tracks campfire happy hour

Up not quite so early today, but still managed a couple of swims through at the Bitter Springs, just me and a handful of likeminded souls enjoying the peace and tranquility of nature at its best.

Then we had to bite the bullet and get moving down the Stuart Highway to Banka Banka, a distance of some 480km, but pretty straight forward. I discovered today why my fuel consumption had jumped up past 20L / 100km, the thing appears to be reluctant to change up past 5th gear, making it rev at 2300 rpm instead of 1700 and in the process pushes the instantaneous consumption up from 15 to 20 (at 100kph). Yes, one could slow down as well, but to be perfectly honest, I think you'd die of boredom, its a very long soulless drive with little or nothing to break the scenery or the journey. Anyhow, by kicking the thing into 'sport' mode (Ford's imaginative term for manual override) and pulling the stick back, it goes into 6th and is deliriously happy to stay there for hours. Bump it back into auto and within minutes it has decided that 5th is somehow better. Something for my friendly Ford dealer I'm yet to meet in Adelaide to worry about.

I've mentioned Banka Banka before as we've stayed here 3 times already, so apart from the nice green grass, the shady trees, the lovely spring water, the friendly atmosphere, the 100 year old homestead and buildings to wander about and the 2km walk to the drop dead gorgeous billabong, there's not a hell of a lot more to say.

Being the unsociable loner that i will be if not dragged into the public arena, we took our chairs and camera and a bottle of Grey Nomad Sauvignon Blanc up to the fire pit and joined the growing throng to listen to a lady also travelling with her husband, who told a few jokes, calling themselves Makin' Tracks sing a few classics to the accompaniment of a karaoke machine. At first I thought she was just warming up and just loosening up, by Judy was convinced that she should go on Australia's Next Best Voice or something. Not quite sure about this, I cogitated the matter over a few more wines from a second bottle of GNSB, and she was right, the singer wasn't half bad, nor was Judy's contribution in the impromptu backing band, nor our rock and roll dancing. No, I lie, my dancing at least was fabulous, Judy had two and a half left feet. despite my trepidations, we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. (jb comment - Brian could hardly remember the basic steps but I did improvise the line dancing)

We ate late and went to bed, sleeping like babies until 830 or so the next morning.