We finally made it!  From Leigh Creek (that's where I couldn't remember last post) we travelled to Marree, William Creek and out to Halligans Bay.  We arrived late in the day and set up camp for 3 nights after a long and dusty 500+kms.

The next morning at sunrise we were greeted with the incredible sight of the lake, water and all only about 100m from our camp.  The photo with the children was taken at our first sight of water at Lake Eyre South on our drive in along the Oodnadatta Track.

Walking along the shore line we were greeted by mounds of very well preserved fish, animals, bugs and plenty of other things.  The salt in the water is tremendous, there is more salt in the water in Lake Eyre than there is at the beach!  We decided against swimming since we had limited fresh water and no showers!

We were greeted with the lovliest sunrises and sunsets that I have seen for a very long time and the night stars added to the joy of the kids as they found (or made up) new constellations.

Teddy has been so good and loves his new chair which has come in handy on many occasions - you should see his new bed too... If you are travelling with a little one I have some of the best items to make life easier!

Thankfully the sandy campsite at Halligans was easy to brush off - the red dirt at Williams Creek however was another story!

On our second day Jake my nephew was getting sicker and sicker as the day wore on, by about 2pm he was in so much pain and coughing uncontrollably which hurt him even more.  Dave packed up camp and drove the 60 or so kms back into William Creek along the corrigations.  We didn't expect to see them again and were worried about little Jakie, Aysha his sister stayed with us and we made plans on what we would do next.  We decided to pack up camp the next morning and head out to Williams Creek to get word on how Dave and Jake went.

At sunset (time means nothing out here really!) a car came up the track and to our delight it was Dave and Jake.  They got into Williams Creek and took him into the pub where the owners called the Flying Doctors (there are no Doctors out here for at least 500 kms)  They assessed Jake over the phone and the Pub had a big medicine cabinet to provide Dave with the antibiotics Jake needed.  Dave was even surprised when they said it would be fine to go back to camp. 

By the time they arrived Jake was a different kid, we couldn't believe it!  He also came armed with a bag of jelly beans so was extra popular.

After 3 days at Halligans Bay we decided it was time to go into Williams Creek for a shower, fresh water and for Greg to fly over the lake.  Before we left we all wanted to see the legendary salt crust of Lake Eyre so headed past ABC Bay which was only 10 kms from camp on our way back.  The wind was right so Greg got out the kite and had a ball.  We were not there long but we all got a little sun burnt from the salt reflections.

Back in Williams Creek we arranged our flight and we had chartered a 5 seater plane.  It was decided that Greg, Jasmine, Dave, Aysha and Jemma would go.  We didn't tell Jake as he would have gotten too upset.  I had a special job for him anyway... He helped me arrange Jemma's Birthday party.

Not sure where we would be I packed a cake mix in case.  I took it into the pub and they made the yummiest cake for Jemmy, loads of choc icing and even her name on the cake, she was so excited.  Jake helped me make party hats and we put up balloons and had poppers and sparklers for the cake thanks to Jane from WrightsAir!

Jemma had an awesome day and keeps asking when her next party will be!

I can't thank everyone at the Williams Creek Pub for making her day so special, for helping out a very sick little Jakie and for the ice cold beer/wine they supplied!

OK - right now I am in Leigh Creek getting supplies for the next leg into Arkaroola in the Northern Flinders Ranges.  We will post lots of our shots in the gallery when we get back - thanks to Telstra's strong hold on broadband out here it costs too much to do it on the road!

I think we are now all well and all having an absolute ball!  Nanny and Grandad and Grandma and Grandad, Jemma wants to call you for her birthday (we know we are late) so we will as soon as we are near a phone that works.  I am happy to say that no-one seems to be missing home!