Up early to head back towards Stuart Highway, with things going well along the trek back we didn’t stop in at Mainoru outstation store for fuel as I know best and I know that I will make it to Mataranka for fuel at a better price, well that was to come back and bite me hard.
As we were about 100km from Mataranka the fuel light came on and that is when I went from being ok to stressed out but not letting Jayde know that of course, I was like a duck swimming in water from the outside I looked calm and collected but inside all I was thinking was her saying I told you so, I told you that we should of got some fuel. The wind and the road conditions really took it out of us as every creek crossing you have to slow down and speed up using more and more fuel.
About 20-10km out from Mataranka I had to say something much to Jayde’s disgust. I told her that we could take the chance, or we could drop the van and make it there. She voted to drop the van, lucky for me she is a quick thinker, Jayde got on the two way and seen if anyone has some fuel we could buy from them, but I was having none of that, my pride was at stake here and I didn’t want to look like the rookie I was and run out of fuel in a semi remote place like this. As I was un hitching the van Jayde secretly got on the two way and asked if anyone could help, luckily someone said they were 5 minutes away with fuel on board and could help but that was after I had already left and had to take the message on the two way to my surprise.
Old mate was good about it, well compared to Jayde he was and he gave us 20 litres of fuel and we paid him more than I would of at Mainoru Outstation Store. We hitched back up and headed back into Katherine with no more issues apart from a damaged ego and fuel “pun intended” for Jayde to bring up at any chance she can get to remind me about it.
All said and done this place would have to be one of the most amazing places we have been to so far on this trip, as we are looking for our slice of heaven somewhere this is leading the pack and who knows we might be locals after all this travelling is complete. I would recommend anyone to get out there and see this place one way or another. We believe this is Australia’s best kept secret.
Cheers
Lapping the Island
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