The drive from the Kennedy Range to Mt Augustus was magic. Only saw one other car. Lunch was on the banks of a water hole still left after the last rains and around 3:30PM we called at Cobra Station ( still an Inn since 1860 and heritage listed! ) for believe it or not an icecream. I was joking but they actually made us each one - $10 plus $10 for the Flying doctors. It was a bargain.
The couple who have owned the place ( x NZ ) for the last 15 years insisted we come in and chat. They both wore their life on their face - she stubbies, boots and army socks and a singlet that did not require a bra (mmmm), he despite the ravages of a hard life was still very handsome with longish hair and piercing blue eyes. He didn't say much but you wished he would.
In half an hour we heard a little of their story - told mostly by herself. Both had worked out of Exmouth delivering boats to Mombasa, the islands and anywhere the client paid them to go. That was how they met.
They explained they were not at their best as the old guy who had done the mail run for the last ten years retired and they gave him a bit of a send off two nights ago!
Jim, the other half, had created his own drink called a Ruger - 2 parts Bundy, 2 parts Jim Beam and a splash of Coke - we all have to try one!

As we were leaving they insisted we fill our water tank with their well water as the water at the station we were going to was undrinkable. We had to sample it first.
Lots more stories for another time about these amazing people - remind me to tell you about the snake bite.