Distance driven = 7884 kms or 4899 miles

Fuel used = 583 litres or 128 imperial gallons

Fuel consumption was 7.4 ltrs per 100 kilometres or 38.3 miles per imperial gallon

The incredibly good fuel consumption is mainly due to Honda engineering. Although it is a 3.5 ltr V6 the electronics can shut up to 3 of the cylinders when you are cruising, thereby minimising fuel consumption.

The final statistic covers the profit/(loss) on the Pokies and the nett result was ($28). Just goes to show you cannot win them all.

The blog ends here, see you in 2010 perhaps when we embark on The Dog and Rocket Tour to the USA.

2008 Honda Accord 3.5 V6

After an early and frosty start a short drive of 391kms and we were back home by lunchtime, journeys end and boy are we glad.

ODO reading from Clarenza to Clarenza = 7884.8 kms

Douglas DC3 - Built in the same year I was, 1943.

A longer drive today of 658 kms but on fairly fast and empty roads. The scenery on the first half of the drive was similar to yesterday’s but in the afternoon, after leaving Gilgandra, we passed through and over the Warrumbungles mountain range where the scenery was fantastic. This is our last night on the road and we should be home tomorrow by early afternoon.

ODO reading from Clarenza = 7493.9 kms

The Ghan Monument at Alice Springs

A fairly quick drive today of 595kms along the Mallee and Sturt Highways. The day started well with the biggest plate of scrambled eggs and bacon that has ever been placed before me, it was great. The drive itself took us through the wheat producing lands and also the vast vineyards that are spread about this part of Australia. We saw two “spectaculars” today. The first was just out of Balranald when we saw two small flocks of Emus grazing by the roadside and the second one was further down the highway when we came across two massive flocks of Galahs. They were gathered on railings around a granary, there must have thousands of them. We arrived in Narenderra just before 4pm and found the most amazing town full of lovely old Aussie buildings. A session with the camera tomorrow morning is called for. Tomorrow we head off for Gunnedah NSW, our last night on the road.

ODO reading from Clarenza = 6836.7 kms

Todd Steet Mall Sunday Market

Monday 27^th July.  Overnight Ghan  train to Adelaide – By road Adelaide SA to Pinaroo SA via the Princes & Mallee Highways.

A reasonable night sleeping on the rain despite a rickety rail track but not so good for some local Steers. Generally speaking the land adjoining the rail track is unfenced and much of it is pasture land, the rest is desert scrub. Unfortunately at about 2am the train came upon some Steers wandering along the track. Some of them were killed and in the process some collateral damage was caused to the leading part of the train, resulting in a loss of water to passengers travelling in the cheap carriages. We slept through it all and only found out about the incident via the PA. By 1.30pm we were in Adelaide, the car was quickly off loaded and a journey of just over 3 hours saw us in Pinnaroo, our first of three overnight stops on the way home.

Sunday 26^th July

Our first night aboard the train was a pleasant one. A very nice 3 course meal and then off to bed. Fortunately on this leg of the journey the train halts for 5 hours overnight to allow freight traffic to use the single track that is all there is available. So we had an OK night’s sleep and a slap up Aussie version of a full English Breakfast to start the day off on the right footing. At 11.15am the train arrived in Alice Springs for a four hour stop to enable passengers to go on excursions or just explore the town at their own pace. We chose the latter course. Not knowing what to expect of Alice we found it be fairly typical dry Aussie town without any particular or remarkable endearing features. The street market was in full swing and this added a bit of life and colour to the proceedings. At 3.15pm the train departed and we headed out into the Simpson Desert, bleak but magnificent scenery in its own right. The evening was once again a delight with good food and company in abundance. And so to bed for our second and last night on The Ghan.

ODO reading from Clarenza = 6241.8 kms

Aboriginal girls fishing on the Katherine River @ Katherine