Surprise, after many months of NO updates....we're still out there, just very slack at this blogging business !#!?
Those following us ,probably thought it's all been too hard living in 'a box'... And we've packed it in..um, a few family members nearly sent packin'... but no, this journey is far from over!
Travelling is SO addictive.Visiting new places and meeting 'locals' from the towns, some fascinating, some educational, and some.....just glad you've got that 'home on wheels' to move away from! Ha,they probably think the same of us.."thank christ the Mazlin circus has gone"
Absolutely LOVE this country,having done 'the lap' before,yet still discovering new & interesting places.Never ever, will you see ALL of Australia.If your currently planning a trip , I bet, as soon as you come back you'll be planning the next one...there's so much to discover, SO GET OUT HERE.
Well, time on the road has flown and during the past months we've dodged rising rivers, hail storms ( moved van undercover) and been at the wrong place/ wrong, time to be caught in flash flooding.Thankfully, we've remained safe, not always dry, but as you all know, the beginning of this year, Australia, has copped a lot of rain!
Thoughts go out to those effected by flood waters, cyclones or earthquakes and we really hope, all your insurance companies have made your life & recovery, that little bit easier.
Following on from our last blog,
We farewelled Winton, knowing up ahead, most outback rivers were on flood alert and you guessed it, we needed to cross EVERY one.Our original plans to fly over Lake Eyre from Birdsville, was looking (like the weather)-very dismal.Decided to spend 3 days in Longreach and see what happens.The Boeing 747 at the Qantas Museum was a 'huge cubby house' for the boys,they got into every bit of it.The cockpit with it's controls was great, they even found the black box, which is actually....ORANGE. Hmm,what?.The Stockman's Hall of Fame makes you proud to be an Aussie, seeing the routes of our early explorers,the hard live's of our Stockman, along with famous Aussie's achievements, just makes you appreciate this beaut country we're so lucky to live in.The Cattlemen's Bar & Grill Restaurant (near Hall of Fame).. We can highly recommend, great meal, atmosphere,and worth a stop to check out the patio and fan!
Well, it rained & rained.......all roads to Birdsville, were, yep u guessed it CLOSED.Bugger.
Driving IN torrential rain,we left Longreach, getting down to 40klms p/hr at times, because of water on the road.. A dangerous section of highway in the wet.We were told ,Illfracombe 27klms east, has a great little cafe.Well as the driving conditions 'were' crap, and our 'were' belly's hungry, we stopped, and were so glad we did.Yum food.Nearby, the Wellshot Hotel was the place to walk off our " breakkie feast" , it's also an interesting pub. NRL Cowboy's player, Matty Scott comes from here and there's a display inside, of a lad whose done the town proud. 'Money' and battered cowboy hats, hang from the ceiling, even 'one of' Lee Kernigan's hangs behind the bar. If your ever passing by ,pull in, grab a dollar note & learn how they stick the money to the ceiling, interesting, and a good party trick for mates back home.....Oh,for the tight people out there, you don't get your money back either!
Venturing 80klms to Barcaldine, we tracked down an elderly man we'd met last year in Bowen. Jolting his memory, he finally "remembered us", and was so happy for us to camp next to him in the van park.Gee thanks Eric?!#! We spent a couple of interesting days in 'Barky'.Not everyday does a Train Conductor invite you onboard the 'Spirit of the Outback' for smoko.Great stuff.So there we were, enjoying free drinks in the dinette carriage, chatting to passengers and staff!.Apparently the steep climb ahead was dangerous in the rain.Gee, seems road or rail in QLD is impassable during the wet ...anyone got a plane?
We found the very 'dead- Tree of Knowledge', can't miss it really, and inside the Australian Heritage Centre, we sat on the 'Seat of knowledge',which was not far from the 'Young Un- Tree of knowledge" (the dead one's offspring).... Yes, we left Barcaldine feeling very 'knowledgeable......
Santa found us & delivered his goodies at Blackall, within 5 secs the van looked like a 'paper warehouse' gone wrong!! A fun day though ,boys played with their gifts and we all filled our tummy's with ham,seafood & chocolates.( felt the effects for days after). It sure was a challenge to do "Santa" in a caravan,as the boys are older and 'curious'.....I lost count of the heart attacks suffered each time they ventured close to my stash holes! Phew!
We liked Blackall, a small town with lots of history.Enjoyed the old Woolscour ,which is the last remaining steam operated wool washing plant in Aussie.Last operated in 1978 & was here that Jacky Howe sheared a record, 321 sheep in 7 hrs 40 mins..WOW, only by blade clippers mind you!He also set a record with machines shearers, doing 237 sheep in 8 hrs..gosh, a sore back and hands for sure! We located his grave, donated some clippers, (ha ha), then enjoyed a refreshing dip at the Artesian SPA.Around the corner was the "Original" Black Stump.Exactly how many Black Stumps in Australia are there?? We've seen 3 'signed posted' so far on our travels.
We watched the Barcoo River rise, fall & rise again...man, we'll be stuck here if we don't make a run for it. So we pulled out & headed south....just as another storm was bearing down.
My head was glued to the laptop, studying the web sites of BOM & RACQ 'road conditions'.Many roads were closed any many of the towns we hoped to visit were now isolated. A decision was made to get out of QLD.Windorah,Birdsville, Quilpie and catching up with a friend at Roma will have to wait another day.
A quick picnic and play at the small town of Tambo, we then zoomed into Augathella to locate the famous Kenniff Tree (bushranger brothers) and other interests.We didn't stop for long.... it POURED,BUCKED DOWN,whatever you want to call it....the heavens opened up & we got DRENSHED.After a change of clothes, we drove on, in & out of the downpour towards Charleville, where, our trusty BOM site said there will be SUNSHINE.....get real, don't believe it.
Well, Charleville did have sun for us, however we didn't get that 'gut' feeling to stay.The boys enjoyed a quick whiz at the skatepark, which was full of rubbish more than kids..then it was on the highway again, south to free camp...somewhere.
Around 6ish I was feeling quite tired,as today had been long, especially driving in downpour conditions with potholes to miss.... takes some concentrating.About 100ks south of Charleville we pulled into Wyandra and found a lovely free camp, not far from the banks of the Warrego River.Hallejua..Clear skys,fireplace,hot showers,with a very 'unique camp kitchen'.Travellers here can 'swap' or leave their unwanted items...a great idea as travellers do accumulate a lot of 'unused stuff' while on the road.
After watching the SUN rise,it inspired me to....do the washing,as damp clothes don't smell nice after a while. Morning exercise was a walk to see the fast flowing 'chocolate' Warrego River.... Returning to pack camp,clothes and hit the road... not before trying the local pub's pie.....chat,chat,chat, with the barman....2hours later,we got on the highway.! Atleast it had stopped raining.
Cunnamulla was our next 'drive through',seems a nice town,spent a couple of hours looking around,visited the local weir,where the Warrego River was gushing over & there was fish galore to catch.Not by us though.A family photo with the "Cunnamulla fella" and it was full steam ahead to the QLD/ N.S.W border.
The road leading to the state border was dangerous at the time,both shoulders under repair, star pickets placed on both edges of the bitumen, making it dangerously narrow, thankfully no truck came along for this stretch as it would've been very tight. Tested my heart & towing skills I can tell you!
Hooray....on the 27th Dec we finally left the WORST roads in Australia and our home state.
Hello NEW SOUTH WALES.......but your still wondering whereweare now??? Stay tuned.
Funny thing from our 5 year old boy:
Shouting... "I've got NUTS", while at the table,....'Don't be rude' I said..then realizing he was pointing to his peanut butter sandwich.! Oops.
What John has learnt:
If your talking & asking questions to someone for more than 5 minutes....and there's no reply....best to stop talking...
......Poor lady was deaf.
I've finally added more pics aswell.Click on our photo album.
Cheers,
CruisinDownUnder
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