Tentative steps back into 'civilisation'

I wandered into Coen town late last night and stopped at the sExchange Hotel for a XXXX Bitter and to catch up with people on the Internet and post some new photos from

Iron Range National Park

Afterwards I drove back north out of town to find a place a little way off the road to roll out my swag and this morning I woke in the cool before dawn to smell the dry dust and the sweet brown grass. As the air warmed there was a quick sprinkle of rain, no more, which stirred up the ash from the back-burning thereabouts and you could taste the old smoke in the air.

Felt like I had a one beer hangover so I drank a bottle of water, packed up my swag and had some breakfast.

Coen has tar roads, starting nearly 20 kilometres outside town, and in town they are laid out in a grid, with houses and schools and a small medical centre with an ambulance. So much organisation and purpose. 

Too much for me right now.

If I didn't need to go back into town to get fuel and some more supplies I would be avoiding the place and heading back up to the bush into Oyala Thumotang National Park. I'll be doing that as soon as I have stocked up, stay there three days and use up my fresh fruit and vegetables before I have to go through the quarantine station.