Monday 21th July, 1994 - Report by Bette Brian After the excellent Galah (rib tickling) Concert the night before, we departed Birdsville in two convoys a bit later than the usual 8am. We followed the Birdsville Development Road then turned onto the Strzelecki Track towards Innamincka. Our convoy (second) stopped at the Cadelga Outstation ruins for lunch. Whilst wandering through the ruins you have to admire the courage of the people who originally built and lived in these harsh and desolate areas. After speaking briefly to another group of 4WDrivers who had heard about our Foxtrot Papa tour on the radio, we continued on along the Strzelecki Track. Along this stretch are millions of red gibber stones and very little vegetation – but any cattle sighted along here looked very fat and healthy. The varying red tones of the sand dunes in the area were quite spectacular. Before arriving at Cardillo Downs we wondered why and how anyone can live in these areas. The young couple who have been living at Cordillo Downs for the past year are very happy there with their 3 young children under the age of 5. This station, at one time was the largest sheep station in the world, but drought conditions and eventually the dingos brought an end to the sheep at Cordillo Downs. Late in the afternoon, we arrived at our campsite alongside the Cooper Creek. We drove into Innamincka to buy a few things and found the town abuze with many people there ready for the next day’s celebrations of the opening of the old Innamincka Hospital as a museum. After a superb camp oven meal of roast chicken and vegetables, we had our second “fines night”. The camp fire was a most welcome part of the evening with the night temperatures getting quite chilly again. Sally read her “Ode of thanks” to some of the group, thanks Sally, before we all retired for the evening.