Day 501 | Almost to Hawker: "Holy Smoke" film camp

16 km | zzOz total: 16,184 km

The wind continues, it’s cool, I find later it’s down around 5ÂșC, but any gloom has been short lived.

I know my way around the Mawson and will be aiming for somewhere I stayed last time not so far away: the film crew camp for the Kate Winslet/ Harvey Keitel love match, “Holy Smoke”, so for once I lie in, write some diary I was too exhausted to do last night and listen to my little radio now that I’m back with daytime reception, finally getting away just before 11.

That’s a record in procrastination by a long shot.

The seat issue is just an annoyance, doesn’t really slow me down but something else does.

A puncture.

Yes, indeedy.

I’ve had to change tubes in the past, after all three worn tyres have exploded since Alice, and there were those valves ripping out when I tried to leave Alice initially. I’ve had a few leaky valves since Perth where dust has gummed them up and also issues where the tube seam has deteriorated, and yesterday’s spoke nipple induced tube destruction, but this, I believe, is my first bona fide puncture, a thorn through the CrossMark tyre and into the thornproof tube. Of course it’s on the rear tyre so the trailer is detached, panniers off, rack bag off, water bottles in the bidons as well, wheel off, patched and then the operation reversed.

The crew structure has 3/4 height walls to one full side and 2 halves, a roof over a concrete slab expanse, big stainless steel benches, a 10 seater modular couch, some tables with plastic chairs complete with backs and armrests, and, not least, a terrific view along the Elder Range to the east.

A very short, leisurely day despite the puncture delay, I’ll finally get stuck into the seat issue.

The wind keeps howling but I’m sheltered in here, with a comfortable chair I almost feel at home.