As the sun barely peeked over the horizon, I pulled into the Cadney Homestead Roadhouse on the Stuart Highway. The remote outpost emerged from the dusty landscape, a welcome sight after the drive from Coober Pedy.

With my car refuelled, I made my way to the cafeteria, eager for a simple yet filling breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon greeted me as I entered. The no-frills eatery bustled with a mix of other travellers and local workers starting their day.

I settled for a hearty plate of eggs, bacon, and toast, accompanied by a steaming mug of black coffee. Funny how even a basic ‘sanger’ like this tastes like a gourmet meal when a person is hungy. As I ate, I slipped into a favourite pastime of mine, watching the comings and goings of other patrons, each with their own journey ahead.

Despite the temptation to linger and rest, I knew I had to keep moving. The open road beckoned, with countless more kilometres to cover before nightfall. Refreshed and refuelled, both my vehicle and myself, I set off once more into the endless expanse of the outback.