Photos from Event Driving across the Great Australian Desert – it does not get better than that The Australian bush is beautiful Road surveyor Len Beadell made the tracks to be as straight as a gun barrel Camp getting ready to roll at 6.00 am- the regular starting time. Look at what is written on the ground On the smoother stretches we hit upto 100 kph But vehicles often got stuck in the soft sand. Sand rails, man power and winches all were used One had to keep a lookout for ruts. A participant broke the suspension after hitting one at high speed You were almost always struggling for grip and had to be really sensitive with the throttle Bob’s bush bedroom, the tents the Aussies call a swag The tents or swags had to be strapped to the roof Bob with his Land Rover Discovery Sport All cars had a special accessory to monitor tyre temperatures and pressures Punctures were a problem with some teams having over a dozen Cuts in sidewalls were a common complain Drivers briefings were short, but packed with good advice At places where the bush was too thick, we had to hack our way through Even in the middle of nowhere, you can find such warning signs. Amazing Night driving was tough and many got lost too wherever the GPS mapping was off the mark No pollution and no habitation in the Outback, means its only a world of starry starry nights Bob really enjoyed the long hours of driving The Australian Bush is the worlds ‘fly capital’. Flies even get into your mouth if you are not careful while eating The ‘Fly Net’ was Bob’s constant companion as the Australian Outback is the ‘fly capital’ of the world’ The bush also has the world’s biggest colony of termites Bob with Henning- his German co-driver on the Silk Road 2013 Expedition The expedition’s ‘Mother Ship’ – the six-wheel drive truck, even had an onboard refueling station!!! The camps had proper dining facilities with each vehicle carrying its own folding table and chairs The support truck carried meat in its refrigerator for the – Bush Barbecues All helped with chopping, cooking, cleaning dishes, etc The expedition ‘Master Chef’ at work Bush Buffet Feast in the bush-rice, chicken, prawns, veggies and of course pudding Bob with a local resident in one of the small villages they went through One campsite even had a shower! What magic to see water come out of a pipe An Aboriginal bushman in western dress A small gas station in the bush Our Mother Ship getting re-stocked. Water also came in the plane and was the most vital thing in the bush Every night was a party. In the centre is Doctor Dominic- fortunately, nobody fell sick on this expedition This is a wildlife rich region Bob saw this monitor lizard and also some snakes Camping on the banks of Lake Mackay- a huge salt lake At the famous Ayers Rock The drive was mainly in restricted areas requiring special access permits Farewell party on a sand dune overlooking the amazing Ayers Rock Farewell party on the dune Mission accomplished. Celebration time. Bring on the bubbly An indigenous Australian playing the wind instrument didgeridoo. In the backdrop is the Ayers Rock The Chief Minister who came to the finish was very down to earth and without any security With Dag Rogge, Expedition Leader Bob’s luxurious toilet travelled from Bombay to the Outback. Its now at the last campsite and he hopes to revisit it someday It was truly the best way to ‘Discover the Australian Outback’
