Still Sittin' By The H'way, Smelling Diesel, Dust & Cattle Trucks....

Suprise! ...we're still here. WOW, been over a MONTH now since our last update.
Sorry if you've been checking in and finding no added info.... But ,we did say, we'd be out having fun!
 
Flipping the calendar back to July, we ventured 350klms return for a day visit to Porcupine Gorge. Amazing to see this huge canyon after so much grassy flat plains. We trekked down & up the gorge, stopping for a splash in the small amount of water that was there. BJ, our 5 yr old, did well traversing the steep tracks, only asking to be carried for a short while. (won't let that become a habit). Jack had an experience while there.....he's learnt 'never use chin to hold pocket knife while doing pee in pit toilet'.Why? Chin goes up,while you watch favorite pocket knife fall into poo.Yes, there was tears- but soon came laughter as we discussed the new journey of Jack's pocketknife.
 Anyway ,the Gorge IS worth the visit, should you ever pass through Hughenden.Camping fees apply (Nat.Pk), be fully self sufficient, no fires allowed & it would be fantastic to see in the wet season if your game. ( probably close the roads anyway)
The work we thought would be ready in Richmond (Hospital units) ,had been delayed, however John kept busy doing small jobs. An emergency trip to Townsville occurred, as a piece of fencing wire struck him in the eye. Luckily, after having to stay there for 6 days, John was given the all clear, no operation required, thank god.The boys & I had returned to Richmond after the 1st night, leaving him in good hands of course....  paperwork to do, with a deadline to meet.(Bloody ATO, they can spoil a holiday, just ask Hoges.). So eventually,John caught the 'greyhound' back to 'camp Richmond'.....and with now excellent vision, vowed never to travel by bus again !
 
August came & went so fast, however waiting for the approval of this 'project' was slow & had us contemplating the road outta here, many times.
We'd experienced our coldest & hottest temps so far ( 3.7 Degs night,  37 Degs day). Blankets on, blankets off, strange winter.
The annexe can get quite hot, especially when trying to concentrate on school work, one day there it was pencils down & off to Kronosaurus Korner Museum for the air conditioning & a lesson on dinosaur fossils.
The boys have enjoyed a night at the local rodeo, watching cowboys/girls to their stuff, plus more fishing & catching red claw at a local waterhole....fresh fish on the 'Barbie', can't beat it!
John had another quick & busy visit back to Townsville, this time for 4 days, an eye check up, dentist & other health reasons.Taking his 4x4 this time, for the running around he had to do, also to return with building supplies & ....beer...(bit pricey here) . He'd raided our shed & returned with the 11ft punt...along with bits n pieces. What-Tha ? Are we ever to leave Richmond, as nice as it is.....we gotta get out of here,Dad's setting up house!?!
 
Did you know Australia has 192 different species of frogs......some can lay 7000 eggs at a time, while others only 20. ( no wonder they just keep coming back to the toilet)
 
What I've learnt:
 
When the boys.... 'SHOULD BE' listening....they're not,
When the boys.... 'SHOULD NOT BE' listening....they are !
 
  CruisinDownUnder...       
(Just stopped for a while)