[Iain farts]

[Sand]

We have a better night, and wake up to see birds eating the vomit I buried in the sand last night. Unfortunately I also puked on my shoes; the only pair I can walk in comfortably. Whoops. The single bed is warmer, as we're closer together, and doesn't droop alarmingly, which is nice.

We drive back up the road we came down yesterday, for an hour. The wonderful colours are still entrancing. It's easier to drive for long periods in this area, as the backdrop is easy on the eyes.

[The road to Kings Canyon]

[And another]

[Possible bushfire sighting]

The road off to Kings Canyon is a little bumpier, but with fewer dead kangaroos. Apart from that, it's the same. Mile after mile of desert shrub, some burnt, others not. The road provides a barrier to bushfires, so sometimes its green one side and black the other.

We stop at a touristy-cattle ranch, Kings Creek, for fuel and food. I have a cheese and pineapple toastie, Iain has a burger. There's a pattern forming here - veg options are limited in bars/cafes.

[Kings Canyon]

[Sandstone and things]

The canyon is formed by surrounding mountains, and is lushly vegetated, attracting many tourists. The "Garden of Eden" is in the centre, which you can walk through, or round the rim, which is more spectacular. We opt for the short, flat walk through, and it's nice. Not quite peaceful; too many people. They're not as spread out here as at Uluru.

We can see a huge bushfire in the distance, which is worrying; it's roughly in the direction of where we're travelling tomorrow.

[Gums grow in Kings Creek]

[Remembering Jack Cotteril]

[Last look at the Canyon]

[Smoke from a bushfire]

We drive to the Kings Canyon Resort, owned by the same people who own Yulara, and just as cheap. Nicer, however, as you park on green areas randomly. Somewhat bizzarely, we park by accident next to the people Iain walked through Kata Tjuta yesterday. This is great, as we all chat and exchange stories, and have a campfire.

Iain and I go for a walk after dinner, over a boardwalk to the dark bush. It's really intimidating, we can see very little, hear rustling plants, are surrounded by nothing, and can see the bushfire

[Our campfire]

flames in the distance. On the way back we see a dingo (wild dog). Despite reassurances from the Aussies when we return, it scared me a bit, after the dingo-eating-baby documentary we saw in the UK.

At the camp fire we discuss stars, and the Aussies have a star chart, so we can see the constellations. We can also see Venus, very brightly.

We go to bed late, for once, hopefully to sleep well.