It is only a short drive from Orroroo to  Bendleby Ranges Station so we were ensconced well before lunch in the Pines campground.  All looked the same as last year.  After an early lunch we went 4x4 driving with Bill at the wheel.  Rugged harsh country with sometimes challenging tracks but the cruiser handled it all beautifully.  Wonderfully extensive 360 deg. views from the summits.  What an amazingly expansive country we live in.  The emus were prolific and have been everywhere so far.  Must have been a very good season for them..  After dinner Dennis we sat around the lovely fire Dennis had got going.  A perfect evening, stars, no smoke from good wood, and no breeze and no one else around.
The next day, Sunday, we set out for Farina Ruins.  Through Belton along the back roads to Hawker for morning tea.  As Kaye and Dennis had never visited the Panorama we decided to revisit it.  The Panorama is an amazing painting of the Flinders Ranges in a circular form.  Viewers stand on a platform in the centre and it is quite an amazing 3D type eexperience.  It took the artist a very long time to create but is definitely worth a visit.  Visited the pub at Parachilna and treated ourselves to an ice cream.  Good to get out of the flies which were in plaggue proportions.  Went into Leigh Creek to fuel up and found the Ratex Rally had taken over the service station.  Old Volkswago combis mostly.  Eventually got fuel but couldn't get near the water so toddled off to the caravan park where the manager very kindly allowed us to top up our water tanks.  When we arrived at Farina it was jumping.  The restoration group was in residence and they are doing a marvellous job of conserving the ruins and doing some restoration work.  They have got the old undergound bakery in operation and each day (for the 6 weeks they are there) are producing the most beautiful bread, rolls, finger buns, foot long pasties, etc etc.  Needless to say we took full advantage.  We had a rest day here the next day  and passed  a delightful day  relaxing and inspecting progress, walking etc.
Overnight there was a light shower, just enough to settle the dust, but as we ttravelled towards Marree the heavens opened and  in no time at all the road showed signs of slipperiness.  Stipped in Marree and considered but made the decision it waould be foolish to go any further.  Sure enough the Oodnadatta Track was quickly closed so in Marrree we stayed for the next three days,  No mobile phones, Internet etc. The very friendly helpful people at the roadhouse showed us round to the Caravan Park and we parked up on the roadway because everywhere else was under water already.  Our stay in Marree turned out to be rather pleasant.  The locals were  pleased to have us among them and the roadhouse owner is also a baker so he makes some bread and cakes each day which we enjoyed along with the coffee they made. It got to be quite social.  We did lots of reading and had time to really get to know an outback village that one would usually pass through quickly thinking, golly, I am glad I don't live here!