Freddy Colson's first call for the day to Windle's garage, bless the Railways, the new tyres for Sunrise have arrived, then to Vic Carrington's office and over a leisurely cuppa brings him up to date with events out west, the Expedition is finished and returning to Alice Springs while Lasseter and Johns will continue the search for the missing reef on camels and into the Petermanns. Colson notes the slight raise of the Resident's eyebrow. The Expedition should return by the end of the week.

Carrington contacts Arthur Blakeley with the news and a reminder that this information is not yet public, the brothers Blakeley are mindful of Coote's loud mouth and a nasty habit of exploiting confidential information. But Arthur Blakeley is obliged to contact the Bailey's at C.A.G.E. and they will most certainly contact Coote. They have too.

Coote still grounded at Oodnadatta by gale force winds but in contact with Alice Springs and Sydney. Late in the afternoon Ern Bailey confirms the Expedition is returning without Lasseter, now that will certainly complicate things for Coote, but he may be able to untangle the mess, the Bailey's have put him in charge of C.A.G.E. affairs in Central Australia which is a very strange appointment, it's largely due to Coote's actions that the Expedition is in the situation it is. This could be interesting.

Lasseter and Johns arrive on the northern shores of Lake Amadeus this afternoon and have Mount Olga in their sights.

Late afternoon at Mount Liebig and the Thornycroft's engine is finally reassembled but too late to start on the track today, Taylor vows he will walk to the Dashwood if they are not there tomorrow, he has never felt so irritatingly filthy.