Days End

Our days walking ended at around 3.30 in the afternoon. Josef would run ahead and find a suitable spot. A hand signal similar to a try being scored at AFL would indicate to the cameleers that this was the spot to line the camels up and hoosh them down for unloading.

We would all drop our backpacks and feel like collapsing but instead line up next to the camels and hobble up their front legs. Again, some camels sat on spinifex and it would be a challenge passing the leather straps underneath their resting legs.

Once they were hobbled, we would unload the camels and then unsaddle them. The camels would all rise up and wander away with mincing ballerina like steps to feed. We would pause to watch them briefly before gathering the firewood.

Josef would look at the map and see how far we had travelled. Everyone was keen to hear the report. Cobs would look for a spot to roll our their swags, and cameleers would buzy themselves shepherding and preparing the evening meals.

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