27 March 2000

Went and had a chat to mechanic this morning. He agreed faulty thermostatic fan was probable cause of overheating around town in traffic. However no replacement was available in Alice Springs and he would have to get one up from Adelaide by overnight freight. Told him not to worry as we were heading back down south anyway. So went and had some brekky then visited a few more places around Alice (Anzac Hill Lookout - nice view over the town and surrounding ranges, couple of galleries - seen it all before, Coolibah Swamp - nothing there and Ghan train museum - museum itself excellent but outside exhibits and amenities poor - pity).

So left Alice about 11:00 a.m. and headed back south. Trip uneventful and reached Marla (380 kms south of Alice Springs) at 4:00 p.m. after stopping for some lunch at Erldunda. Ute went fine, temperature never varying from just under the halfway mark on the gauge.

Will spend the night at the roadhouse at Marla (very comfortable) and check road conditions and fuel availability along the Oodnadatta Track in the morning before deciding whether to go that way or not.