MONDAY 2 AUGUST    ALICE SPRINGS

There were some minute drops of rain early in the morning. It stayed cloudy through the morning, but began to clear in the afternoon.

It was very much a day of odds and ends – which are surprisingly time consuming.

We had a bit of a buying spree in K Mart – mostly some more WINTER clothes! Browsed the newsagent. Put films in for processing.

We drove out of town about 10kms to the south, to the refinery, where we’d been told we could get cheap diesel. It was, too, 74cpl.

Back at camp, I did four loads of washing, which didn’t get dry, so it will have to be hung out again tomorrow. I had intended to start the washing earlier, but the machines were all in use then.

Tea was a chicken stir fry, with rice.

Phoned V. They are staying with friends in Port Hedland; they have needed new springs for the station wagon. They have been to Millstream/ Chichester and Karijini National Parks. They may stay on for a while and work in Hedland – she has been offered work at a roadhouse. They certainly have had no trouble finding work on their trip.