“..the dawning of the age of Aquarius”

It has been hot. About 12° hotter than normal for this time of year in Finke. It is very pleasant until about 1:30pm daily but the mercury keeps rising until 6pm which makes the van pretty warm, and being off grid, we can’t use the A/C.
In anticipation of long lazy days in Finke Gorge and during May when we settle down in Keep River NP we bought a M.F.R.(Multi Functional Room) which we loooove, and for which we have various uses and names. Interchangeably, it is a Dining Room, Yoga Studio, Panic Room. Right now it’s main purpose is our Bedroom. We actually call it The Observatory, but don’t get any funny ideas about the nomenclature, as it refers to our ability to lay in bed and watch the wonders of the sky.
Star gazing without light pollution (nearest town 100k+) is the best. Sunrise is a treat. The jewel is a combination of both. Not sure how often it happens, but for the last week in combination with a full moon we have been viewing the entire solar system in a 40° arc of sky.
Just before dawn as the stars are being washed away by the rising sun and setting moon, we view, Saturn, Mars, Venus and and Jupiter (tracking West > East) Pluto and Neptune are aligned but can’t be seen with the naked eye. The Planets are all visiting the constellation of Aquarius. Absent, but not by much are Mercury and Uranus which are tracking just east of The Sun and don’t get to reveal themselves until after dawn in this Solar System phase.
It’s incredible seeing the planets aligned in close formation on the Ecliptic Plane.
So this post is supposed to be about the tent. It’s our favourite piece of kit at the moment as the evening temperature is perfect for a sheet only covering, and the sky is visible through the mesh. It is also a sufficient barrier to keep away patrolling, reptiles, Dingoes and of course the bugs. We have a luxuriantly grassed area to pitch it and we reckon it completes our hosting experience.Read more