In a recent conversation with a non-Australian it struck me that people don’t know what a Ute is. It is a small utility truck. Basically a car with the back end replaced by a tray. They are incredibly useful and much loved in Outback Australia.

There is a house down by the railway line near my house. It looks like it is deserted but you can never be sure. Outside is parked Thrasher the Ute.

I own a Holden Rodeo ute which I am not sure I could treat as badly as Thrasher. I rarely drive my ute to be honest. I’ve not actually used a tank of petrol in the last 50 or so days. The shops are a short walk away and I ride my bicycle at every chance.

On Friday I visited the National Parks & Wildlife offices and they kindly gave me information for all the local National Parks. When I say local it is not like in Britain. The distances are not to be sniffed at and there are fewer tea shops along the way. I am pretty keen to go camp out there before the summer returns. The sky at night always seems clearer when it’s cold. Many of the roads are unsealed so maybe I will get the chance to thrash my ute after all.