“ He spoke so highly and so often of you two that everyone around here joked that you were his parents ,” John laughed . “ He waited around for a while to see if you ’ d come back .”
I ’ d been genuinely touched , could a chat over a few beers and whisky that had contorted his face so much have had such an impact ?
John offered that Oliver had driven off back toward the Gibb River Road in the chance that he might find us . We explained that we ’ d changed our route and were to head down the Tanami ( track ) Road , the more northerly Buntine Highway could wait for next time .
Now here we were , on the side of the Tanami , laughing like school kids , explaining that we were looking for somewhere to camp before hitting the Wolfe Creek crater tomorrow .
“ Hey , do you guys mind if I camp with you tonight ?”, Oliver had asked . How could I say no , I knew he ’ d have cold beer . “ I ’ ll collect fire wood while you two find a spot .”
It sounded like a great plan , which led to a perfect little roadside clearing . Over dinner we ’ d laughed about what had happened over the past five weeks . Oliver enthused about his time in Kununurra , we laughed about sea-kayaking in Broome .
The Wolfe Creek Crater didn ’ t disappoint . My suggestion of camping there was firmly rejected , Megan suggesting she once watched a documentary about a deranged local who took pleasure in doing unthinkable things to unsuspecting campers . My attempt to impersonate the Mick Taylor laugh was just as firmly dismissed . It was worth a try .
“ Hey guys , I ’ ve been thinking ,” Oliver looked a little sheepish as I closed the gate across the track to the national park . “ Following you guys on that track and then finding a
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