No one else was at Haddon Corner last night so very peaceful.

A slow retrace of the corrugated, gibber strewn, dusty track out to the Arrabury Road starting with push/pulling the loaded bike over the soft sand track over the two sand dunes.

Got to the Arrabury Road to see a shopping bag swinging from the ‘Haddon Corner’ sign.

Investigated to see a note ‘The pushbike guy’ and a care package of lollies, tea and sugar and some canned goods. The grader driver from yesterday had most kindly and completely from the goodness of his heart left me a heartwarming gift to encourage me on my way.

‘TITS’ tattoo man – thank you very much. That was completely unexpected and such a nice thing to do.

Pack away the goodies for later and push on for 40 km to the Birdsville Development Road. While having (cake) lunch at the road junction a ute pulls up and the tourist driver asked if I was OK – I am thanks. Then he explained that he had just seen three cyclists in a group at the Arrabury-Cordillo Downs turnoff 80 km back; one of their bikes had ‘broken’ and the two functioning bikes were heading back to Innamincka to get a lift for the broken bike and arrange repairs. I don’t know the details but sobering reminder that things can go wrong.

A quick downwind for 50 km to the old, abandoned hotel which is Betoota. Set up camp on the verandah of the old pub listening to the roar of the Mt Leonard station generator over the river.