We are in our second week of filming, still in Winton (pop. 800, pubs: 4, flies: 100,000,000), out in the Claypan in 46 degree heat, it's been a hell of a way to acclimatise! - and the story is getting as dark as the weather is hot.

We're not bothered by flies in the day, since it's too hot even for them and the storms that keep threatening the town never materialise, so at last we have had some uninterrupted time and filming continues apace.

This week we filmed the scene where our heroes' van hits a kangaroo and spins off the road - achieved not by using CGI but refreshingly old-fashioned techniques (although not using real 'roos of course).

Naturally fatigue and absence from families are beginning to take their toll after 5 weeks away and as much as 14 hour days for the grips and electricians, but the good humour and calmness of our director trickles down throughout the unit so there have been no tears before bedtime yet (apart from those caused by sunblock running into the eyes).

There was also a splinter helicopter unit to shoot the car travelling through this enormous landscape - on one of the few days when we weren't bothered by willy-willys (see last weeks diary) - although we compensated by making our own dust storm with the chopper.

Now it could be taken for granted that through exhaustion and our remote location any down time would be used by most to catch up on sleep or sink a few 'pots' but there were a couple of tourist attractions that you just wouldn't find anywhere else:

On their day off some of the crew chose to make the journey to see the only visible dinosaur footprints in the world - a relatively close 100km, in Lark Quarry.

And a small but artistic contingent made a trip across the railway tracks to the Musical Fence, an art installation that makes amazing otherworldly sounds when you hit it, and sings by itself in the wind when left alone.

Our final series of night shoots began on the Winton Ranges, where we were treated to a spectacular sunset and welcome relief from the heat, followed by a somewhat worrying briefing about the various kinds of deadly snake that might come out at night. In the event, the only predator that dropped by to check us out was a giant owl.

We're gearing up for a final week of days out in the exposed landscape with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, and the vital support network provided by the Unit Department is laying in stocks of enough water to float a battleship.

And for some of the crew, lunchtime is taken up with band practice for their debut gig in the North Gregory Hotel on Saturday Night. How long it will be before The Brown Hornets split up owing to 'musical differences' is anyone's guess but if you happen to passing by...

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