Saturday the 1st of August
We cooked and ate our meal last night outside under the awning and extension with views of the Lake through the trees. We had another beautiful full moon which was glowing with the setting of the Sun. It wasn't long before the moon rose above the trees and left a beautiful reflection on the lake itself, again the lake was as calm as.
This morning out of bed and lit the fire and boiled the kettle and cooked the toast and then I had poached eggs and Liz had her's scrambled both on toast. The ashes were hot enough this morning to light sticks etc to get a good blaze going.
Cleaned up around the camp and loaded empty water drums into Digger and Liz washed a few small items and they were hung out to dry. We had a few of the near happy campers drop in and say hello and the other group to say there farewells for they are off this morning heading to Birdsville.

We carried our shower gear for we are going to use the facilities in the sports area at Quilpie. On our arrival there was a junior rugby game being played so we sat and watched the action for awhile and then under the showers. Plenty of hot water and whilst under the shower the young indigenous kids came along banging on the doors and frightened the living suitcase out of us. Then a few minutes later they threw rocks on the roof, of course when we came out they had disappeared. Around to the supermarket to buy something for our evening meal for we are leaving the freezer food for when we are travelling up the Jundah road towards Longreach.
We then took on fuel for Digger and the generator at the fuel depot for $1.46.9 a litre ( We noted that Diesel was $1.43 cents a litre ) then onto the newsagents for the paper. While Liz was getting the paper I could not help myself for I had parked outside the Bakery and had to go in and buy two beautiful pies for lunch and boy weren't they good with the gravy dribbling down my chin. I also purchased a fruit bun for our lunch. There are not a lot of caravans or motorhome's around at the moment maybe they will be like last night coming in at 6.30 pm with most going this morning. Back in camp we boiled the kettle and had some fruit bun and a cup of tea.
There were cars come in for most of the afternoon to enjoy the lake and to do a bit of bird watching. We just relaxed in the gentle breeze with the temperature at 2 pm being 28 degrees celsius. We are having a salad for our meal tonight so we read our books and shooed the dreaded small fly's away. Liz is listening to her beloved Magpies and tonight we will watch the football on the television before retiring for the night. These do next to nothing days are becoming quite addictive and we have many more to go before we arrive back home.

Sunday the 2nd of August
They say that Sunday is a day of rest and for us it certainly was. I pulled the yabby nets to no avail this morning, though there was a yellow belly in one and how it ever went through the opening is beyond me though I have to say it grilled up lovely over the camp fire whilst the kettle was boiling. Cooked our toast and then ate the yellow belly straight off the bone, very nice indeed and I thought it would taste a little muddy, though this was not the case.
We said our farewells after breakfast to a few happy campers that we befriended in last couple of days as they are all moving onto Charleville and may I say into head wind that has sprung up coming out of the North West. We had to secure a few items for the wind was picking up and the temperature was rising and would level out at 28 degrees by mid afternoon and a little humid.
We took our chairs down to the side of the lake for it was sheltered from the wind by the large Coolibah trees and it was singlet time again. At 11 am we decided to have a hot lunch and so out came the baby Q to cook our slab of pork and our baked vegetables.
I had to use a sheet of corrugated iron to block off part of the wind so the Baby Q could do its work. We baked the potato and sweet potato and an onion. Whilst on the fire we steamed the carrots, pumpkin and cabbage. We will need to buy more vegetables when we leave Quilpie in a couple of days something that I am not looking forward to for a small cabbage for instance is $6.70 and similar prices for all veggies. I noted that Broccoli was $8.60 a kilo and carrots were $3.80 a kilo. Of course we can not go without our veggies so we will grin and bear it, like bread now $5.90 a loaf. It wont be long before Liz is baking bread in the camp oven.
We had our baked meal inside to avoid those pesky little flies that the humid conditions has bought on. We just sat under the canopy after lunch and read out books and watched the place fill again with a new lot of happy campers and we noted that the coaster named DILLIGAF had arrived from Toompine where we met them and left them three days ago.
Needless to say that we will not require much for our evening meal to night if anything for we had a large lunch along with gravy.
Well happy hour has arrived so we will go down by the lake some 15 metres from our camp to cool off under the coolibah trees and no doubt watch the lone Pelican searching for fish. If there are no Yabby's in the pots in the morning I will pull them out to dry and pack the three of them away if on the other hand they catch then I will bring out the other four and set them.
Tonight due to there being no football I suspect we will sit out by the fire for awhile before going off to bed.

It was wash time again so out came the generator and washing machine and Liz did the washing that had accumulated. One of the woman came over and had a look at the washing machine in action for they are thinking of getting one also. We had a cold south easter even though the sun was shining brightly it lowered the temperature from yesterday so today at 3pm it was only 24 degrees celsius.
The backpackers came over again and we discussed the death of the kangaroo once more and I was able to show them two big reds that were grazing in the paddock some distance away, I was able to capture them on the camera with the full zoom in action. We bid them both farewell and hoped we had done enough to convince them that it was not normal what occurred last night.
It was 1pm when we decided to use the jaffle iron for our lunch of baked beans and cheese of course done on the hot coals of our fire. I transferred many new books onto Liz's e-reader and I have started another of Wilbur Smith books. We sat out in the sun out of the wind Liz in her shorts and me still wearing trackkies. Then we went for a drive in Digger to have a look at the camping area which we are pleased to say it is completely clean. Back to camp for a cappuccino and a piece of cake no wonder I am not losing any weight.
We will have a pork salad tonight and dine el fresco for the wind will drop around 6pm like it did last night. We will sit by the fire and watch the moon rise which is nearly turning night into day and then in to watch Talking Footy the wash up of the week ends football and then off to bed.

Tuesday the 4th of August
Another beautiful sunrise over the lake and whilst looking in the paddock behind us I noted there were fifteen Kangaroos either feeding or hopping away towards the bush.
Lit the fire and had our breakfast outside once again though that cool south easter is still with us and the temperature would only rise to 23 degrees today. If you were able to get out of the breeze and in the sun it was nice and warm.
We cleaned up and farewelled a few happy campers that we have met and then we headed into Quilpie to stock up for the trip ahead for we are departing in the morning. We have heard from Ian and it could be another three weeks before his gear box problems are sorted out.

As we drove up the main street of Quilpie we couldn't help noting the steel cut outs of cattle and the Brolga's on the median strip. First to the chemist for Liz to put in her scripts for we will not see a grocery store or chemist for the next three weeks. Then we went and filled our water drums with tank water and whilst there we had nice hot showers once again conserving our water in the motorhome. I went to the hotel and checked the price of cartons of beer and what a shock 30 cans of xxxx gold were $51.99 a carton and the other beer is just as dear. Then down to the Foodworks supermarket and purchased a few items, we just forgot about the pricing for we need the supplies and then around to the Foodland supermarket to do the final purchases.
Then to the butchers shop for a few items which we had cryovaced for use later on. Then onto the bakers where I resisted the pies and only bought bread. The same bread at the supermarket is $5.60 and at the bakery $4.80 a loaf.
Spoke to a few people who are travelling and then the bloke from the Opal shop came over while I was sitting in Digger and asked had we driven this car all the way from Tasmania.
I replied "Yes though it is a bit hard to sleep in". He just laughed.
We headed back to camp and had a late lunch of wraps filled with salad left over from last night and then washed down with a cuppa.
As we are leaving in the morning we started to dismantle the camp with most items now packed away though the awning is still out waiting for our wet towels etc to dry. We will use the fire tonight to cook our pork sausages we bought today.
There are now new campers coming in and filling the spots of those who left this morning. I have dismantled the satellite dish etc and packed it away and we will watch the local television tonight before going off to bed.

Wednesday the 5th of August
A warm night and a nice sunrise for our last morning at Lake Houdraman, When I looked in the big paddock behind us and there was a large mob of kangaroo's with most bounding away when I was spotted. I was able to get a photo of three on the long lenses of the camera before they took off.
We had our breakfast and cleaned the camp area and said our farewells to happy camper friends and then we were ready to go. We did not hook Digger up for it would have been covered in dust on the way to the highway. Before pulling onto the road we noted two Emu's who were strutting their stuff and we did not seem to concern them. On the outskirts of Quilpie we hooked Digger up with the motorhome and then headed to the playground to top up with tank water rather than the bore water which smells of calcium, then onto the showers and enjoyed the beautiful hot water as there was no hurry.
Next was to refuel at Lowes with the diesel price being $1.43 a litre. Then we were to pull out and noticed a gaggle of four wheel drives on the corner so we stopped and enquired where they were travelling to. They replied Birdsville and so we decided to sit until they left or suffer having them passing us on the single lane bitumen.

Finally on our way and we were to hear the four b's talking and it was good for they also alerted us to traffic coming at us. The road was good for there were long stretches of bitumen where it was double lane until reverting to single lane. We were to see a lot of cattle and sheep and really what are they feeding on? The sheep with lamb's looked very poorly, though we noted that there must have been rain in some areas, though not all, for there were shades of green popping up amongst the stones and rocks. There was a lot of road kill mainly kangaroo though we were to see a wild pig dead and first we thought it was a small steer until we were alongside and noted it was a humongous sized pig we couldn't be bothered to stop for a photo. At one stage we came across a long stretch of double bitumen and the sign indicated that it also doubled as an emergency landing strip for planes.
We came across workers in the middle of no where, so to speak, there were many trucks and they were pulling up the old cattle grid either to replace or fill in we are not sure.
At one cattle grid we crossed there were signs indicating that we were passing through the dingo fence that starts in Queensland and goes all the way to South Australia. On the other side of the fence we noted there were only cattle and no sheep, the fence looked in very good order.
Then we noted along the way there were wind mills working away dragging water up from the Great Artesian Basin to supply water to the cattle etc. We were now seeing plenty of sand dunes popping up. Then we started to see amongst the Gidgee and Mulga trees Gum trees that were displaying white blossom, very nice indeed.

We finally arrived at Cooper Creek and there were plenty of happy campers that were free camping, we dropped in and had a look and decided to move on and when we came to the Jundah turnoff we decided to go into Windorah which was only ten kilometres further on. When we approached the town we were to note the huge array of circular solar panels which are alongside the diesel powered electricity generators. We were informed that most of the electricity for the town of Windorah is produced by these solar panels.
We were to check the cost of diesel and found that it was $1.63.9 cents a litre a bit different to that of Quilpie of course, if needed we will use the diesel in the drums on the back of the motorhome to finally get us to Longreach.
We dropped into the hotel for lunch and found that a basic counter meal would cost us around $30 each so we opted for a chicken hamburger and a steak hamburger for both of us at a cost of $24. a schooner of xxxx and a sav blonk was $11 and we had a couple of those with our lunch. Whilst sitting there in the sun I noted the police go by and I watched the vehicle turn further up the street. When I went for a look I noted that the vehicle was up the street tucked in behind a few trees looking down to where our motorhome was parked. Had a cappuccino and then decided to take the risk. The other motorhome was there a lot earlier than we were and they were drinking pretty heavy.
We pulled out and the vehicle did not follow us so we decided that we would drive back to Cooper Creek and set up camp for a few days, maybe. Today's temperature high was only 22 degrees. Of course the satellite dish is set up and we may pull out of here on Friday morning.
Kilometres travelled 274

Thursday the 6th of August
Here we are on the beautiful Coopers Creek thus named by Charles Sturt one of the original explorers of the great Australian Outback. He and his group passed this way whilst heading north to further explore. It was beautiful sunrise once again and the night had not been to cold and this morning the temperature was cool 8 degrees celsius at 7am this morning.
At 7.30am I was out with the chainsaw getting more wood for our fire this morning. Set up and lit the firepot for our breakfast, boiled the kettle and cooked our toast. We sat back in the sunshine and read our books after breakfast and then took Digger to find rocks for our main fire for tonight, back and set up a fire place and then with Liz we went looking for more larger sized wood for the main fire. After getting the wood and unloading it we then re boiled the kettle and had fruit cake and a cappuccino for morning tea.We then continued to read in the sunlight as the temperature increased and by the end of the day it would be 24 degrees celsius at 3pm. We are lucky that we camped in an area that no one else can encroach on for the camp sites are well apart on this side of the creek. We had our lunch and Liz had carted back a frame from another empty campsite which I cut to size to fit on our main fire for cooking purposes. We will put this up in Diggers roof basket when we leave this area for use again.

After lunch we hopped into Digger and went across the bridge to the other side of the creek. As we crossed we noted the large amount of caravans that are down on the sandy section of the creek after the weir. It would be true to say they are parked like a caravan park, it could be they do not like the dusty campsites. The wind rose a little though there was little or no dust blowing around. We checked out the campsites on the opposite side to us and there were not many happy campers in those spots at all. As could be imagined there was not much firewood available only green trees and there was a council sign indicating that for cutting trees down you could attract a fine of up to $75000. This is the largest we have seen for fines in our travels we both looked twice to make sure we were not seeing things. On this side of the creek there were garbage bins spread along and this morning the council truck came around and emptied them on both sides of the creek. There are no toilets or showers so we are using our own though there is a toilet on the main road by the bridge.
We had driven as far along the bank as we could and we came to a barbed wire fence which was opposite the pump station where water for the township of Windorah is gathered. They must have a good filtration system for the water is the typical Queensland outback muddy and yellow looking.
We went for a walk along the bank on our side of the creek later in the afternoon and noted one fisherman on the bank and another in a canoe they were discussing how many fish they had caught and we gained the impression that neither had been successful.
We gathered up a few more rocks for our main fire and then it was happy hour once again and tonight we will watch the Marngrook Football Show. We cant believe how quick a week goes for it is time for the football to commence again tomorrow night and don't we love it.

Friday the 7th of August
Out of bed and lit the fire at 7.30 am for breakfast. It was a nice morning again with none of those pesky little fly's that worried us yesterday. After breakfast Liz did a bit of hand washing and then cleaned up and made the bed with fresh sheets etc. I was cutting up star pickets to use as a bridge across the fire to let us cook our meal on the big fire for our stay here at Cooper Creek.
10.30 am arrived and back on with the kettle for morning tea with a couple of pieces of fruit cake along with a cappuccino, very nice indeed for were were sitting in the shade watching the Pelicans going up and down the creek looking for a meal. We could hear people fishing though we could not see them their voices carried clearly on the breeze and it would seem that the were not catching fish.
I cut a bit of small wood for the firepot and we will light the big fire later this afternoon and cook our evening meal on that. We then both started reading our e- readers for I have now finished all but one of my hard cover books, Liz still has few paperbacks which she wants to leave for a later date.
Before we knew it lunch time had arrived along with those pesky little fly's so we decided to have our lunch inside the motorhome away from them.

After lunch we decided we would go for a drive in Digger along the Nature Way which is some 12 kilometres long. We first stopped at the weir where they are piling more stone on it to raise the level no doubt to increase the amount of water behind the weir, given this is Windorah's water supply. We found the two blokes we had shown the camping spots available on our side of the river yesterday though they elected to set up near the weir on the southern side of the highway. We stopped and had a chat with them and they indicated they will be putting in yabby traps this evening. I have not even bothered getting my yabby traps out, the colour of the water deters me.
There are a lot more good camping site's along the river along the Nature Way and they continued until we went inland. The road was only single dirt road and luckily we never met anyone coming from the opposite direction.
They have marked every specimen of tree along the way and we were to see some that we had not seen before. Going along the track we were to note cattle sitting under trees and the ground was just covered in rocks with no feed at all so we assume they are eating the leaves of the Mulga Bush's.
Along a bit further we pulled up for it looked as if a kangaroo was laying on the road in the shade of the gum tree and as we moved closer to get a photo it just hopped up and went towards the scrub. He stopped as others hopped into the bush and he would have been over 6 feet tall and what a big grey he was. We were to note on the other side of the road a large mob of Kangaroo's bounding away towards the trees.
We came to a gate which Liz had to open to allow us to complete the drive and when back in Digger we proceeded along the track and was astounded at the amount of stones and rocks that were on the ground in the paddocks they were so thick there is no way grass could grow. We came across more trees and it was obvious that we would end up in Windorah. That was the case and we noted that they were advertising a rodeo and camp muster for this weekend and after we discussed the matter we decided that we not attend it for we are going to see the same next weekend at Stonehenge. We noted the little old house that probably only had a bedroom and a kitchen maybe though it sported a television ariell.The day was warm a nice 24 degrees celsius so we decided it go into town proper and pulled up outside the Outback Store where Liz went in bought us a hazel nut ice cream each which we ate on the way back to camp on the dreaded single bitumen road, which they call a development road.
Back in camp and those pesky fly's were still here and would be until around 4.30 pm so we delayed our happy hour waiting for them to go for the day. Tonight we will sit by the fire and then come inside the motorhome to watch the Fremantle V Richmond football game and then out by the fire to enjoy its warmth and take in the wonderful clear starry night complete with the milky way. The breeze will have dropped so it again is a wonderful experience under the stars by the camp fire.

We sat around the rest of the morning reading and just taking it easy though I have a sore back from carrying the heavy wood over a great distance. Liz was to bring out the camp oven and placed in bread rolls for lunch and boy weren't they great with a spread of cheese and marmite. Liz only made five and boy I enjoyed destroying three of them and easily could have eaten more. No wonder I am not losing weight with all this eating of cake, biscuits and big meals. Tonight we are having large pork sausages with a salad for the days are getting warmer and we will only have vegetables now and again.
Around 2 pm we went for a drive in Digger around the camp sites and were surprised to see how many have left and we remarked that in previous years camp spots were usually crowded though not this year. We drove across the single lane bridge and along a track where we only found one happy camper and the water in this area contained a green algae which didn't look nice.
Then down onto the lower level of the creek and found only two happy campers where yesterday they were packed in like a caravan park. We can only assume that due to no fish being caught they have moved on.
Back in camp we threw some wood on the fire for our cooking tonight and after our evening meal we will stoke it up and come out again like last night after the football.
Those pesky fly's visited us again until the sun was going down and the shadows were appearing the temperature at 3.30 pm was 26 degrees celsius and needless to say I am down to a singlet and Liz lighter clothing though no thought of shorts at this stage.

Sunday the 9th of August
Beautiful stars again last night though we were not to see any satellites passing overhead, Though the Milky Way and the Southern Cross were the standouts amongst the Stars.
This morning stoked up the main fire and cooked our breakfast on that and boiled the kettle for our tea etc. Whilst we had our breakfast you could hear the Whistling Kites as they searched the creeks and its banks for their breakfast. Once again the Pelicans were moving up and down the creek looking for fish. We had visitors for breakfast in that we were surrounded by noisy family(Apostle) birds, who we were throwing a few pieces of toast. It was warm this morning with the temperature rising to 27 degrees at 2.45pm and as yet we have not found humid conditions, which is a bonus. I read Liz's bird book this morning and established the parrots we saw yesterday milling about were in fact Cockatiels I may have thought that at the time though I was unsure.
Lunch time we spent inside for we did not wish to share our food with those very small fly's and indeed we spent time inside reading and listening to the radio. Mid afternoon we went for a stroll across the paddock to take a few photo's of the reddish sand dunes that we could see from our camp, it was just as well we took a sprig of gum each for we had to use those to drive those fly's from us. On one section of the dunes there was a mirage and it blended in lovely with the dunes. On our return we went inside again and just relaxed for we are the only happy campers in this area for the rest left this morning.
At 4.30pm we started dismantling our camp and loaded the unburnt wood on the top of Digger for our trip to Jundah tomorrow. When we leave you will only see our tyre tracks nothing else and the other camps were the same and that shows some forward thinking on behalf of the local council who leave and collect wheelie bins on a regular basis.

Monday the 10th of August
It was a nice tranquil evening last night as we sat outside and had our evening meal. Across the river sitting on two dead limbs where two Whistling Kites, one was watching the river and the other was watching inland. There was no breeze and it made the Cooper Creek look tranquil especially the reflections on the creek proper of the Coolibah Trees. We had a visit from cattle who came quite close to our camp mostly they were feeding on the few Mulga trees that are in between the coolibah's.
We went inside late in the night after admiring the star lit night again.
This morning we had our breakfast inside for everything was packed away with the exception of the satellite dish etc. It did not take long to clean up and do a final check of the camp and we were on our way. We did not hook Digger up until we were near the highway to avoid dust etc. On the way to the turn off to Jundah we were to strike five caravans on the single bitumen and all with the exception of one slowed and went off to give us the bitumen which was good. The last one we could not even elicit a wave even though we went off the road for them.
We finally arrived at the turn off to Jundah and what a treat it was for we were now on double lane bitumen. There was no breeze so the going was easy with little traffic and those who passed did so with ease staying on the bitumen. Of course there has to be one and it was another four wheel drive towing a camper trailer and even given that he could see that others had passed without going off the bitumen he put his passenger side wheels in the gravel and tossed up rocks and we heard one hit the side of the motorhome which we check when we pull up.

We were to see plenty of kangaroo along the way though very few road kill. We talked about our camp on the Cooper River and we both came to the conclusion that it was the quietest campsite we have had on this trip. Last night it was the birds chirping away along with the call of the Whistling Kites and this morning we did not hear one bird at all. The other thing we had noticed that in past visits to the Cooper the sites were usually full on this occasion they were empty with very few campers.
Along the way we were to see small bush's who were flowering with their buds being yellow and a nice soft green that set them off. We were to see plenty of land that had nothing other than spear grass which cattle or sheep cannot eat and plenty of stunted gum trees and no mulga at all. We came across an area that had patches of green and though no stock were feeding certainly kangaroos were partaking of the green shoots. We finally arrived at the Jundah camps sites and noted there were no happy campers at all near the road and as we went in further we were surprised to see only one happy camper set up. We went down to our usual spot where we have stayed on at previous occasions .
We just parked up for we needed water we were down to our last 10 litre's. We drove up into to Jundah and went straight to the small camping area and filled the water drums and then whilst there we took the opportunity to use their showers for the cost a gold coin donation. Whilst having a shower we could hear those noisy Corella's that we have not heard for awhile. We drove around to the small shop and bought two ice creams and then went back and checked out the camp spots on the northern side of the road and again we were surprised there were no campers at all, though we were able to gather more wood for our stockpile.
Back to camp and set up the satellite dish and then we had a late lunch and after we just relaxed and as the afternoon wore on the temperature had risen to a warm 30 degrees celsius. We will set a few Yabby Traps in the Thompson river near our camp tonight and again sit out under the stars before coming in to watch a bit of television and then off to to bed.
Kilometres travelled 101s

Tuesday the 11th of August
The evening cooled quickly last night and despite throwing more wood on the fire we thought it prudent to go inside the motorhome and watch a bit of television and then off to bed.
It was one of those cloudless sky's again this morning and no breeze and dews etc now seem to be something of the past. It didn't take much to stoke the fire up for the ashes retain the heat and it only required a few sticks and in no time at all the fire was away. On with the kettle and whilst that was coming to the boil I went and checked the Yabby traps. Well there was absolutely nothing at all not even a river shrimp so I reset them and if there is nothing in the morning they will be packed away. I only use three to test the waters before bringing the rest into play, needless to say the rest will not be used.
We had our breakfast outside in the brilliant sunshine and then as Liz wanted to wash sheets etc out came the washing machine. Set it up filled with water and away it went doing what it is supposed to do. The machine has well and truly paid for itself allowing us not to need Laundromats.
Whilst the generator was operational we plugged in phones, e-books and this computer to recharge the batteries. Once the washing is completed we will just relax and read our books and restoke the fire for this evening.
Around dusk we were to see the big red Kangaroo's eating what we do not know and they just did not take any notice of us. Then the big grey Kangaroo's came along and now and again they would stand up and look at us and it seemed that they were saying "what are you looking at" again they were not phased by us being so close. There was plenty of birdlife though the Thompson River does not look all that great with dirty dirt coloured water and it does not seem to be flowing at all, again how do fish live in this dirty water.
Happy hour arrived so we had a few quiet one's and again it was not noisy and there were no other happy campers come in. We are starting to wonder where they are this year maybe we will find out when we arrive at Longreach sometime next week.
Tonight we will again sit under the stars and by the fire and note the lights up in the township of Jundah the main headquarters for the Barcoo shire council.

Wednesday the 12th of August
We awoke to a blustery wind which ensured that we did not light the campfire this morning. It was a nice sunrise with the sun rising through the coolibah trees. We had our breakfast inside the motorhome for even though it was a nice sunny day with clear blue sky's the wind coming out of the south east was blustery and cold. A typical Queensland wind for this time of the year. We were to notice the budgerigars flying around in the wind and a lot of them alighted in a coolibah tree close to camp and they were skittish so I had to take photo's on the optical zoom of the camera. They sure can move they are very fast I suppose they have to be to avoid hawks etc from taking them out of the air.
We had to go outside a couple of times and secure several items that were blown over by the wind. I went and checked the yabby traps and they were all empty so I pulled them out and place them in the wind for them to dry out and pack away later. I checked the gas bottles and then poured 20 litre's of diesel out of the drums off the back into the main tank and this should now suffice to get us to Longreach sometime next week . We read for awhile and then had a cappuccino and a few biscuits and then headed for the township of Jundah.

First we went and topped our water drums up for we are leaving in the morning for Stonehenge whilst there we used the showers and of course left a donation for the service. There were two caravans in the park so I had a chat with them and they informed me that they had caught fish in the Thompson river yesterday and are going back today. Where they are at the moment they are sheltered I wonder what they think when they go to cast their lines in this heavy wind.
We then went and had a look around the town and even though the population is small it has large council chambers and plenty of heavy earth moving equipment including very large trucks. There are new bungalows being built in the main street for passing tourists and another caravan park. The bougainvilleas in the main street look a treat and then we went to the Jundah store to buy bread. The store is operated by the shire council and we were able to get bread and whilst there I purchased two pies for lunch and Liz had a chicken roll with gravy. I wont mention the cost other than to say the cost of transport must be expensive.
We then drove back towards our camp and took a couple of photo's of the Thompson river and then back and had our lunch inside washed down with a cup of tea.
We read for awhile and then we packed the camp up and loaded Digger with the wood and water etc and discovered that we could get television here where we are. So we decided to dismantle the satellite dish, which had blown over twice, and packed it away. Today we are having an early happy hour inside out of the wind and away from those pesky little fly's.
An easy night and nothing to pack in the morning other than have our breakfast and then on our way for it is not far to Stonehenge and the weekend Rodeo.

Thursday the 13th of August
We arose at 7 am with not much to do before we departed Jundah. I went for a bit of stroll along the banks of the Thompson River and there were two Pelicans doing their thing. I was to count 23 kangaroo's hopping away and then one Bush Bustard (Bush Turkey) who stopped long enough for me to take its photo.
We had our breakfast and then at 8.45 am we left our campsite and headed to Jundah township and then we were on our way to Stonehenge which is not to far up the road. We came onto two lane bitumen and we only struck to vehicles heading south and none travelling north. We seemed to be climbing all the time and then we came across a sign that indicated a 8% decline and as we came to the top the most beautiful vista opened before us of wide open country with plenty of bush cover. We actually came to a stop to admire the surrounding countryside we that taken with it.

Continued on and noted that we were back in Mulga country with plenty of Kangaroo's and Brahman cattle beside the road feeding on the new growth greenery. We did not come across any road kill at all along the way which is a big change for us.
The road to Longreach bypasses Stonehenge and you have to have to turn off the highway and go in six kilometres to the township of Stonehenge. How it has changed since we were last here many many years ago. The hotel is still the same and they have extended the small caravan park and then there is the new building for the information centre which had that look of government money. We pulled up beside the hotel for this is the only area in the small township of Stonehenge that you can get a phone signal and then only Telstra. Liz went over to the information centre and found that I could use their WI FI connection or so we thought. Back to the Motorhome and use my connection to upload. We then used the phone to ring our children or those we could get and then headed out to the Rodeo grounds.
When we arrived we thought it looked very sandy a reddish colour though we set up in the small bushes and settled in and had our lunch. After lunch we set the fire for tonight and we found some corrugated iron so we are using that as a back drop to our fire pit.
In the middle of doing this diary John and Jenny turned up and have set up their fifth wheeler close to our camp so I had better get going to an early happy hour.
Kilometres travelled 78

Friday the 14th of August
We arose to a cold morning with a southerly breeze cooling things down early this morning. Lit the campfire and boiled the kettle and cooked the toast. It was to cold outside so we had our breakfast inside the motorhome this morning and read our books for awhile. Then out to gather more wood that is laying around in abundance near our campsite. The girls went walkabout looking at the facilities and finding out the programme for the next couple of days.
The horse Gymkhana was underway and the way they handle the horses and the maneuvers was a sight to see and even when the day became warm when the breeze dropped off the events were still underway. The main Rodeo etc is to held tomorrow and Sunday. We sat around in the morning sun until lunch time and went over to the food area and were told that chips etc would not be available until 1.30 pm for that was when the entrants stopped for a meal and to rest their horses before the afternoons events. Whilst at the food area we found they had trouble starting up the chip cooker so John worked on that for them and in no time at all it was operational.
We set chairs up in the basket on Digger and made out they were to be used to take us to town. Photo's were taken and then we had lunch in our own camp and then at 1.30 pm went over and bought a tub of hot chips. Back and washed them down with a cappuccino very nice indeed. We went over to the fences and watched the afternoon's events and then retired back to the camp for happy hour.
We cooked our meal on the fire and sat out in last rays of sunshine and stocked up the fire for later tonight. Around 7.30pm we came inside to watch the Sydney V Collingwood football game and outside to sit under the stars once again before going off to bed. Another good day and it was good to talk to John and Jenny about their travels and what we all were doing in the coming month or so.

Saturday the 15th of August
Liz was disappointed with her footy team losing last night. Most of the Jackaroo's and Jillaroos have arrived from the outlying cattle stations and they certainly had a good time with their music pretty loud and rejoicing for who knows what last night. The main thing is they were enjoying themselves and there was plenty of laughter. When we arose this morning there were plenty of four wheel drives and they were asleep alongside their vehicles in their swags.
John had stoked our fire up before I arose at 7am so on with the kettle and the fry pan for poached eggs and toast of course washed down with a good country cup of tea. It was nice and sunny and there was not much wind this morning so it was glorious.
The horse gymkhana commenced at 8am and they all lined up and showed their horses off in a type of dressage competition and then into the cattle branding and control of their horse's around a flagged off circuit. Their horses look in excellent condition and it was especially good to watch the young ones on smaller horses and shetland pony's strutting their stuff all looking very professional.
We all used the showers in the new toilet block and it was good again to stand under hot water for an extended period whereas when we use our shower its lather up and wash off and out due to lack of water.
We had lunch outside and we had a couple of Tasmanian's who recognised Digger from Jundah and they stopped and chewed the fat for around an hour. They drove up from Jundah and they recall seeing us there and us leaving on Thursday. We again went and watched the horses in action and tonight we will enjoy the Rodeo with the cattle branding and riding competitions.

They started the woman's round the drum competition at around 5pm and it was great to watch the horse's turning on a very tight circle around especially marked drums and then heading flat out to the finish line. The time differed between 16 to 19 seconds per competitor. You could tell the experienced horse rider and their horse for they turned quickly around the drums, to see the horse's bunch their hind quarters and then lunge away to the next drum was a sight to see. We saw only one rider use a whip and that horse did not like it at all and knocked over drums. Each drum they knocked over gave them a extra 5 second penalty. The highlight of the drum competition was the young girl riding a shetland pony. Her mother lead the horse to the start line and then off they went, it was surprising how quickly this shetland pony went around the drums and the sprint to the finish line was a sight to behold. You could not imagine that a shetland pony would have that burst of speed, this bought the crowd to their feet giving a standing ovation to the pony and it rider. They completed the course with no drums knocked down in 19 seconds. It is obvious that this girl later in life with the right horse will be a champion.
They then had bronco bucking with the riders mostly staying the full 8 seconds and a few being bucked off by the horse. A few were not doing much bucking at all so the riders were able to have another horse to ride. We then went and had a meal with John & Jenny and for $15 per head it was great. Plenty of salad and a piece of steak and a sausage plus bread a nice meal indeed. Then the bull rides were on and unfortuneately there was not enough light in the arena to catch the bucking bulls who were quickly bucking off their riders. Then the band started up at 10.30pm and went until a little after midnight. We elected to stoke up our fire and sit under the starry sky. We could hear the music from the band and they were really rocking. There were a lot of young ones sleeping in their swags, drinking and stoking up their fires. In all it has been a good day for entertainment and competitions and the meal.

Sunday the 16th of August
Another brilliant day with the usual clear blue sky and just a small breeze. It was only a matter of throwing a few sticks on the coals from last night and it was away. Boiled our kettle cooked our toast and sat out in the warm sunshine and watched all the young jackaroo's and Jillaroos pack up there swags and they were away. We did not realise just how many were spread through the scrub until we saw them them this morning. A few did not go until later in the day for the Police were breathalyising all drivers before they left the grounds and hit the highway. We were to see many change drivers and the Jillaroos' drive out of the grounds.
We were to say our farewells to many happy campers in their motorhome's and camper trailers as they left this morning. We were to hear that the Police closed down the loud music up from us, so they were quiet during the night.
We went over and looked at the calf branding and we noted there were a team of four which included the horseman that had to cut out a calf from about a hundred calves and small steers. I thought it was a bit cruel to see how they roped and pulled the calves up against the fence so the rest of the team could hog tie and then brand with paint. The cattle were milling about making it harder for the horsemen to to rope them. Then the champion of Australia came in with his horse and cut out calves and his team roped them to the fence and branded them with the paint and they did three in four minutes and ten seconds whereas others were taking up to fourteen minutes to achieve the same.
They had teams from the outlying stations and those who follow the rodeo's around Queensland all entertaining and once they released the calves they would rush straight back into the milling cattle, the had a few older cows in the mob to calm them down.
Then we had a lunch of silver side and vegetables for lunch with the bulk of the cooking done by John. It was very enjoyable out in the sun and needless to say we will not have a large meal for our evening meal.
We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and went down to the prize presentations and watched a few more events before returning back to camp and happy hour and then we will stoke up the fire and burn what we have left whilst admiring the stars and the beautiful clear sky's and then off to bed to read and then in the morning we will pull down the camp and get underway once again.

Monday the 17th of August
A rather warm night and again this morning a beautiful blue sky and no wind. We went over and had a great shower at the amenities block and then breakfast before we finished our packing to get on the road this morning. Dismantled the satellite dish etc and packed it away. We said our farewells to John and Jenny, who are heading south, then we were on the way out from the rodeo grounds to the main road. We hooked up Digger and then we drove through Stonehenge through to the highway.
We were back on the dreaded single lane bitumen though there was little traffic in the early parts. The land is very arid and the sheep are so skinny just skin and ribs and nothing, so to speak, to eat. They had all been shorn. Along the way we were to see road kill though on this occasion they were mostly sheep and just a few kangaroo's. We were to once again come down off the Plateau and the countryside looked a treat in the distance.
We were to come across a stretch of road where they had diverted us for about 10 kilometres whilst they built a new piece of highway. And wasn't it rough and dusty so much so we disconnected Digger and Liz drove it for the entire distance until we arrived back to the single bitumen where we reconnected Digger once again. We were to pull of the road to allow a road train of road materials to have all the road and he still went off into the gravel. On our way once again and it was getting warmer with the sun streaming through the front windowscreen at the end of the day it would be 24 degrees though a little humid. Something that we dread is that humid weather. It wasn't long before we came across double lane bitumen and the phone beeped letting us know that we were once again in phone range. The first call we received was from my sister Julie informing us that her husband Norm has been diagnosed with a form of the dreaded cancer. We will ring tonight to follow this up.

We finally arrived at Longreach though we did not go into the business district we headed out to the camp grounds on the Thompson River some four kilometres from the town centre. Well, what a surprise in all we counted fifty caravans, motorhome's and a few other RV vehicles and by the 3pm that had grown to 65 and more to come no doubt. It is like a little city and everyone is parked as if in a caravan park. Oh well, this is something we will have to get used to we suppose now we are in this part of Queensland. We were lucky to get a spot with a little spare room and as I was setting up the bloke in the motorhome next door came over for a chat and filled us in on what was occurring. Then out with awning and then went to take Digger off the back of the motorhome and the first thing I noticed was that the auxiliary cord for the lights etc was trailing back under digger and when I pulled it out it had no plug. Then I noticed that the bra protecting the front of Digger was damaged. We thought about it for awhile and came to the conclusion for there was blood on the bottom of the bra that at one stage on the single bitumen I felt digger jump up and that would have been when we straddled the dead kangaroo lying in the centre of the single lane bitumen. I remembered saying at the time there was no way I could avoid it so I lined it up with the middle of the motorhome and it did not hit only when it came to Digger when it bent the bottom of the bra which was protecting the radiator an sump. Digger must have been a fair way in the air for it to pull the plug out of the motorhome and then the wheels no doubt run over the cable. Oh well this is the first bit of damage and if this is all we get that will be a bonus.
Around 1.15 pm the pie cart came around and I bought a humongous ham and salad roll for Liz and I was naughty tucking into two pies. After lunch we put the chairs and table outside and as there was a nice cooling breeze that is where we sat for the rest of the afternoon talking to other happy campers until happy hour. As there is television available there will be no need to pull out the satellite dish. Tomorrow we will go and do a bit of retail therapy. We will watch Talking Footy tonight before going off to bed and reading our books, which are now getting in short supply.
Kilometres travelled 171

Tuesday the 18th of August
We were awoken this morning by the crowing of roosters and the cackle of family birds. When I went outside there were five roosters crowing as if to say feed me. They were not frightened at all and just walked around my feet. I was to establish later that there are 12 roosters in all though they live at the other end of the park they wander down through the happy campers who tend to feed them, they are even crowing well into the afternoon. As I was doing this diary a rooster stood outside our door and crowed very loudly which frightened the living suitcases out of us.
We had our breakfast outside in the sunshine and noted the amount of happy campers who were departing and even at 9am there were others coming in to take the place of the departees. We had a chat with our next door neighbor Kevin and his wife Ila for over an hour and they said their farewells and they were on there way towards Barcaldine.
We then went for a walk up to the old bridge and noted the Kangaroo's and the Bush Pigeons feeding on the grass in the recreational area. Then onto the bridge proper and noted the huge pipes for sucking up water from the Thompson River. We are not sure if this is Longreach water supply or not.
After shaving and cleaning up we hopped into Digger with the empty water drums and then headed off into Longreach. First we drove along Eagle Street which the main thoroughfare in the business district.
Liz went off to have a haircut and then it was time to do some retail therapy for we had a little money after withdrawing some from the Bank. We walked and checked the prices for wines at the three hotels and then ended buying only the wine today. Then onto Mitre 10 for a gas bottle refill at $31.65 for a 9 kilo bottle. Then onto the op shop and then into the cheapo shop for junk which we bought a bit of and the butchers and then the two supermarkets where we checked out the prices at both of them and ended up buying a little from each. Then it was time for water which we filled and then around to the auto shop and bought a new auxiliary plug for Digger. We had noted that there was a modern day Volkswagen towing a very small caravan in the camp grounds and then we noted it was now in Longreach city centre so I could not help taking a photo of the car and the very small caravan very neat indeed. Then back to camp at 2pm where we had a nice ham and salad roll for our lunch, much better than the pies I had yesterday.
Liz packed away the groceries etc and then I went out to do an inspection of Digger for any possible damage underneath. Driving Digger and the inspections told me that the steel work on the Bra took the brunt of the damage and it drove alright. We will cook outside tonight for it currently 27 degrees celsius and a little humid, we have no desire to heat up the living area by cooking inside.
We had our happy hour outside and we only had a cappacino giving the alcohol a rest for today. There is a no fire's policy in the camping area so we will just sit outside until cools down and admire the stars once again. The thing is when the sun drops the evening cools very quickly. Another good day and for relaxing I will not fit the new plug to Digger until the morning when it is a bit cooler.

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Wednesday the 19th of August
Awoken again this morning by our resident chooks, so before breakfast we walked up to the bridge and took a photo of the intake pipes for the water for Longreach. We had our breakfast again this morning out in the beautiful sun and were visited by the family birds and roosters though we did not encourage them by throwing them bread or scraps. Already the rooster's have dropped their doing's on the mat near the door in their quest to crow and hopefully get food from us.
After breakfast I tackled the new plug to feed auxiliary power to Digger for brake, turning lights and accessory lights. So easy to do just follow the coloured coded wires. Yes that would be easy though someone forgot to tell the europeans that blue does not represent everything in Australian colour codes. So with the help of Liz using lights in the motorhome I was finally able to test all wires and come up with the right one's. Everything worked until I plugged into Digger and only the Motorhome lights worked. So checked again and then I decided to run another earth line to Digger and this fixed the problem though I had the turning lights mixed up. Turning right the motorhome signaled the right hand side indicator on Digger it triggered the left hand side turning indicator. Changed the wires and problem solved. Now this took nearly two hours and the amount of Happy Campers wishing to give advice certainly slowed down the repair process even the woman were offering advise. They would leave and in would come another lot, Liz was amazed how I kept my cool.
Brushed myself down and only wore trakkies and a singlet to town. First stop to fill the jerry can that we used at the Caltex depot for the diesel fuel there was $1.39.9 a litre. Damn roosters are crowing outside the door!
This is where the fun started you could only use the card to get fuel and you had to guess in Dollars how much you wanted. So Liz started at $20 not enough so through the process again and put in another $10 and finally we had our 20 litre's of diesel. It only deducts the correct amount from what you enter. We will know on Friday morning what to do.
We were then to note the trees that had all their greenery plucked off by the dreaded Correla's and if they do not do something about them soon the trees will be dead altogether. There must have been over 200 Corella's perched in the trees.

We drove up Eagle Street again and noted the very old truck with wooden spoke wheels advertising for the shop behind it. Then onto Foodworks and then IGA for a few items that we had forgotten yesterday and now it would be true to say we are stocked or overstocked with food for the next three weeks or more. Then onto the bottle shop for two cartons of 30 cans of Carlton Cold, some $15 a carton cheaper than at Windorah or Quilpie.
We returned home and Liz made a nice salad roll for our lunch and a cup of tea. I have started drinking water something I do not normally do for I believe I dehydrated the other day and suffered some pain and sweats which for a moment I thought was heart problems this was not to be thus the increase in water intake in this warm humid weather we are experiencing.
After lunch we hopped into Digger and drove up along the road where the bus takes people for the night cruise and meal on the boat on the Thompson River. Along the way we noted the lush pastures that were in certain paddocks and it was obvious that they were being irrigated, then we noticed the sign indicating that it was a training farm thus the different crops being sown.
We noted the beautiful camp spots that are a well kept secret especially where the camp fires had been. We came back and drove back over the bridge heading for Winton and then we came across the old road into Longreach and it took us along the river bank though there were plenty of signs indicating no camping. We followed the tracks along and came across the Thompson River Cruise Boat and the area on the bank where they have their dinner before embarking on the cruise of the river. At $99 a head it would need to be a good meal and cruise.
Back in camp just on Happy Hour so we went and visited a few of the happy campers that we have befriended in past days and we even caught up with DILLIGAF who arrived yesterday from Quilpie.
We cooked our meal outside again for we we once again do not want to warm the inside of the motorhome unnecessarily. We will watch a bit of television and then off to bed after drinking more water.

Thursday the 20th of August
Of course our friends the cock a doodle do's greeted us this morning even though we did not arise until 8am. Of course it was a fine sunny morning again and a lot of happy campers were to leave early today leaving large areas to be filled by new comers today.
We went for a walk again this morning over the bridge and along the bank and back to camp. We placed the empty water drums and cassette and then went into Longreach. First stop the dump point and then onto to the op shop for Liz and then Target's. Back to the CWA building and had showers of beautiful hot water and then outside to fill the drums with water. Whilst I was waiting in Digger I noticed the Cobb & Co coach loaded with tourists going along Eagle Street. They even had people sitting up on the back followed by a saddle horse that was not attached to the coach it just followed, rider less of course.
Around to Mitre 10 and filled the 4 kilo gas bottle for $17.20. So in all we have enough gas and groceries and grog to last at least three weeks. Back to camp and started to pack Digger for the trip ahead and then hooked up and did the final repairs to the auxiliary power cable. We had our lunch and then had a snooze then went walkabout once again along the foreshore of the Thompson River though the walk was short for the temperature had risen to 27 degrees with a fair sort of wind that has a cooling effect. I have taken the baby Q outside and we will cook a chicken for our meal tonight and there will be enough left for a salad tomorrow night wherever we may be.
Terry and Maree have just pulled in beside us so it will be an interesting happy hour today catching up with they have been since we met last year at Condobolin

Friday the 21st of August
A nice warm night and we were awoken for the last time here by the many crowing roosters. Again I went walkabout before breakfast and took a photo of a small road train crossing the Thompson River bridge which is the Landsborough Highway into Longreach. I spoke to a few happy campers and bid them farewell for we are leaving this morning bound for Barcaldine.
Back to our camp site and had breakfast and then outside to shoo the noisy rooster's away. Had a discussion with bloke about his Fiat motorhome and he was appalled that my keys could open his lockers. He went straight to his computer and came and told me that you could change the tumblers and that was what he would be doing on arriving home next month. One of the happy campers left his door open while he was elsewhere and it looked a sight him shooing the roosters out of his van. It would appear they were in there for some time, hope they did not leave their calling card as they did on our ground cover.
We had a chat to Terry and Maree and they informed us that Terry would be supplying the entertainment at the RSL in St Helens on New Years Eve and they would look us up whilst they are in the area.
We did our final packing and we were on our way into Longreach to fill with diesel for the trip ahead. We were to pay $1.39.9 cents a litre and we took on quite a bit for the tank was nearly empty.
We bid farewell to Longreach and then we headed out on the Landsborough Highway towards Barcaldine.

We were driving into a stiff wind so we do not expect that the fuel consumption will be kind to us along the way. We noted that the sky had clouded over though not enough to block out the sun. We were absolutely amazed at the amount of road kill along the way, it was all kangaroo and we have not seen so many killed by traffic in all our travels in the past. It was not just in sections it was over a sixty kilometre distance, amazing. There is no doubt that we are in a drought zone for the ground is arid and no greenery at all.
We arrived at Illfracombe and from the town boundary and for at least one kilometre there was old farm machinery, earth moving equipment and trucks galore from the early nineteen hundreds line up on display. We stopped and had a walk along and noted the amount of blokes that were looking at the old machinery and discussing the age and the fact that most could be pressed back into service reasonably quickly.
Back on the road and the road kill continued and we were to come across one lot of road kill where the Kite hawks were feeding, around twenty of them. Some took off early and others left as we arrived and yes I did ensure that I did not drag Digger over the dead carcase on this occasion.
We arrived at Barcaldine and did not stop for we had decided to go and have a look at the Lloyd Jones Weir as a possible campsite for the weekend while the AFL football is being played. This required that we needed to go on the highway towards Blackall and then turn into the road leading to the weir. We were somewhat surprised when we arrived to find so few people there. In past years the area would be absolutely full of happy campers so we had no worries finding a suitable site close to water for Liz wants to get the washing machine out tomorrow.
The spot we chose is on sand though with the ground cover down it is not filtering through. Out with the awning and then the satellite dish. Now there was a how do you do!
The signal fluctuating and the cause of course was that the signal was coming through trees that were swaying in the wind. I had to check in four places before I could get a signal good enough to ensure we can watch the Hawthorn V Port Adelaide game tonight. A late lunch and we sat out in the shade, the temperature has risen to a nice 29 degrees celsius with no humidity.
We went walkabout and said hello to a few of the happy campers and it appeared that a few had been here for sometime the way they are set up with wood etc. We will have a chicken salad for our evening meal outside under the awning and watch the birdlife on the weir before coming inside for the footy later on.
Kilometres travelled 131

Saturday the 22nd of August
Awoken this morning by the sounds of Kookaburra's and the many sounds of birds in this area. Might I say this is better than hearing 12 roosters crowing as was the case at Longreach.
This morning we cooked our breakfast outside in the nice warm sun and enjoyed eggs and bacon plus toast and all washed down with a nice cup of tea. What else could we want. A Kookaburra landed on rocks near our camp and was waiting for a handout which never came and the same with the family birds who were squawking and looking for food. There were a small mob of kangaroo's feeding close to camp and we were to see others making their way down to the bottom side of the weir for water not to mention the many birds that were flittering down and then back to the gum trees.
The gum trees appeared to be ghost gums with the silvery white bark and others were two tone with the silvery white halfway and bronze the rest of the way to the top they all looked grand. The birdlife is prolific with many parrots and the dreaded Corella's, the parrots are a nice green and blue with some with orange markings and as yet I am unable to get a photo for they fly into the gum leaves and blend in very well.

We went for a walk around the camp after breakfast and spoke to a few happy campers and there are many who have left this morning though no doubt those spots will be taken by tonight. I have to say the toilets are a credit to the council workers who seem to come out daily to clean the whole area. There are many rolls of toilet paper sitting in boxes along with signs to not remove and at the bottom of the walkway is a grave depicting what happened to the last person caught stealing toilet paper. All very amusing and so life like as far as a grave goes with flowers etc.
The temperature today is supposed to rise to 30 degrees and at 9am it was a warm 14 degrees celsius. Liz was to do the washing after setting clothes lines etc and I eventually have taken to wearing shorts so that she can wash my trakkies. So today I expect to get sun burnt legs for they are very white at the moment.
The area is so peaceful and where we are camped there is no room to get on the other side of us and a tree between other happy campers on the northern side. We have this wonderful bush setting that we overlook as well as the weir and we are able to see most of the wildlife as it comes down to drink and this includes cattle who wander down and then leave again. This afternoon again relax read our books and have an early happy hour, just as well I stocked up with grog. Tonight we will watch my beloved Saints no doubt be defeated in the St Kilda V Geelong football game. Another good day with clear blue sky's and just a cooling breeze and to think that the bills will still have to attended to.

Sunday the 23rd of August
We were visited by the family (Apostle) birds at breakfast and at the same time there was a Sulphur Crested Parrot looking on from the trees as well. It is a long time since we have seen the parrot which has a similar screech to the Dreaded Corella. The family birds are funny to watch, just throw them a few crumbs from the toast and they will climb over your feet chasing the crumbs. A lot of happy campers left this morning and the breeze has picked up again though at 3pm the temperature would rise to 32 degrees the hottest day we have experienced in our travels to date. We cleaned up around the camp and then packed our shower gear into Digger and headed off to Barcaldine which is some 15 kilometres from the Lloyd Jones Weir. The going was easy with the sun streaming through the front windowscreen. Finally, I have worn shorts two days in a row though the t-shirt is a little heavy for hot conditions. Our first stop was at the service station to give Digger a splash of unleaded fuel. In all it took $15 to fill the tank and that will last for a long time dependant of course as to how many kilometres we do.
We turned into the main street and decided to park up and walk to take in the sights etc. The first thing we came across that stood out was the Australian Workers Heritage Centre though we did not go inside for we have spent considerable time in there when we came through on the last occasion. We went to the IGA store forgetting that shops in the outback close their doors from noon Saturday to Monday morning, though a local told us that the Friendly Grocer Store is open on Sundays in the back street some three blocks away.
We were to note along the way in the main street that there were five hotels within kicking distance of each other. We have not seen so many hotels so close together before and there is a sixth currently undergoing refurbishment. We took to the back streets and came across the very nice looking Remembrance Clock which is four sided depicting those in previous wars who left this area to fight overseas. There is also a display of early military guns from world war one. We finally arrived at the grocery store and only bought a fruit cake and a bottle of Soy sauce.

The houses in the back streets are very neat and are all built off the ground about a metre on stumps no doubt to allow a cooling breeze to go under the house for in the summer months the temperature runs around 45 degrees constantly. There are plenty of palms, gum trees and bougainvillea in all the yards affording shade. In the back streets we also found a number of well shaded parks with plenty of play equipment for children including a skate park.
Back to the main street and we visited the Tree of Knowledge which has been restored since someone fatally poisoned it with a chemical of some description. The amount of work that has been undertaken to at least have some form of the old tree of knowledge placed back in its original position is enormous. It is of historical value for this is the tree that striking shearer's held their meetings under and legend has it that this is where the shearer's formed an organization in 1891 that eventually became known as the Labor Party.
It must have cost a fortune to restore the tree and the building around it that has countless timber blocks hanging down which in the wind give off a sound like wind chimes. The information is that the best time to see the tree of knowledge is at night when coloured lights are directed down on the chimes and tree.
We wandered down to the information centre which has an enormous windmill which was manufactured in Rockhampton in 1917 and was responsible for pumping water up from the Great Artesian Basin when the town replied on this for their water supply. There are many murals in the main street and also plenty of seats and tables for the weary traveler under the shade of the many trees that line the street. Liz was to have a go at playing the Xylophone and she belted a tune out of the apparatus, what the tune was is anyone's guess.
We went up to the showgrounds and had nice hot showers and then we took the time to watch the horses and the riders doing their paces around drums no doubt the horses being schooled for competition work at Gymkhanas and Rodeo's. Off to the newsagents for a paper which we haven't had in over a week and then into the bakery and only bought two portions of mud cake and I resisted the temptation of buying a couple of pies. We decided that we would have a late lunch back at the camp. On the way back to camp we dropped into Mitre 11 and had a look. Our previous trip here many years ago yielded a lot of children's toys which we still have in the toy box at home for when the grand kids come to visit us. On this occasion I came across a very long, at least 15 metres, power cord which looked ok to me with plugs on each end and when back in camp it tested alright. So that is another thing that poor old Digger has to carry.
We had our late lunch and then watched the happy campers arrive and one came and blocked our view of the weir and the surrounding countryside, however those are the breaks no use complaining for when you enjoy freedom camping that is one of the things you must put up with.
We will cook outside again tonight and watch television late in the night when it cools down a little. We will decide in the morning whether we will stay another day or move on, what a hard decision to make.

Monday the 24th of August
We said farewell to those that joined us last night for a late happy hour as they are on their way to various parts of Queensland. We had our breakfast and then when a gust of wind came we decided to put in the awning for they are forecasting storms for this area later in the day. Though we are on sandy soil it should not bog us down. We are staying another day for we do not want to push into these heavy winds on our way east. The clouds are now growing in size and the power going into the solar panels is dropping off.
We went for a walk below the weir and found the very small water hole where we see the kangaroo's come to drink late in the afternoon. There are plenty of tracks of the various animals that come down the sandy banks to drink. We were to see the empty shells of the river mussels though I couldn't be bothered in digging for them.
After lunch we went walkabout along the banks above the weir and the wind was still blowing strongly though the clouds have dissipated the temperature was a warm 33 degrees and humid. This is something we do not like, the heat yes, the humid conditions no. As it is we are sleeping with just a sheet covering us electing to throw the doona off at night. On returning to camp we sat in the shade and read our books and watched the happy campers arrive and it is a little peculiar watching them deciding where to park for at the moment there are plenty of spots available. We have declared this an alcohol free day and we will just have a cappuccino. Again today it has been shorts and singlet and we are looking forward to moving on in the morning after refueling in Barcaldine.

Tuesday the 25th of August
What can we say such a beautiful setting for our breakfast outside the motorhome this morning. The sun was rising over the gum trees and the weir and the birds were warbling away and of course those pesky family birds tried to join us for breakfast. Finally I was able to capture one of the green parrots that was feeding on gum leaves beside our camp. The parrot assumed all types of position in its quest to get the juiciest leaves etc. Again we were to see the kangaroos come down to the small water hole for their morning drink before they once again headed for the bush. What a delightful spot we had at the Weir. Well, it was time to pack up and say goodbye to the other happy campers that we had met over the past few days. Rather than hook digger up Liz drove it into the Barcaldine for the entrance and departure from the Roadhouse is not all that good. We refueled and the cost of Diesel was $1.38.9 a litre. We have decided only to travel to the small rest area some two kilometres from town and set up for the day and then go exploring once again around Barcaldine. The first we visited was the very old Masonic Hall that has an ornate frontage and the sides of the building and roof are clad with the same old corrugated iron, nothing fancy about this except the frontage.
We then went to the Barcaldine and District Historical Museum and paid our $3 entry fee and spent the next hour and a half looking at all the memorabilia from photo's, camping gear, old sowing machines, old gramophones and telephone exchange and the list goes on and on. There was plenty of old machinery in outside displays and several small building also housing more displays.

There was even a very small train with its rail lines going around the property. We were not to see the train though the lines and sleepers are only around four hundred mill wide the smallest we have ever seen. They had a room dedicated to the shearer's strike of 1891 and a lot of photo's of shearer's in action from the 1800's and 1900's. Those poor draught horses had to pull huge loads of wool to the railway stations from the outback stations, what a task it must have been. We are glad that we drove back into town for the musuem was worth looking at and the displays were wonderful depicting previous era's of the surrounding area.
We went and bought bread and couple of other things from the IGA and then headed for the show grounds to utilise their showers and they were wonderful, plenty of water and nice and hot.
We then drove along the highway towards Longreach to visit the wet lands and for a while we were sort of bamboozled as where they started for you had to walk along concrete paths to find and look at the wet lands.
I discovered a road further up the highway and that bought us in at the back of the wet lands. We were to see many birds feeding on the algae and other small things that exist in the area. We spent some time watching the Spoonbill running its bill from side to side in its quest for food and it must have successful for three Egrets came and worked the same area over.
We stopped at the Newsagent though to no avail for the paper does not arrive until mid afternoon. Back to the motorhome and had a late lunch once again. Put up a line for our wet cloths plus towels and spent the rest of the afternoon reading and watching the happy campers arrive jockeying for positions in a limited camping space, the area is only a 20 hour stop over and we expect it to fill up by late this evening. The area is also shared with trucks and as we are alongside the highway we do not expect it to be as quiet as our last campsite.
Kilometres travelled 18

Wednesday the 26th of August
We were startled last night when a plane flew less that 20 metres above our heads, when we recovered we then understood that we were parked under the flight path to the Barcaldine Airport. When another plane came in some 15 minutes later this time we did not flinch though it was a strange feeling looking up to the underside of the plane so close to the ground. Then a Train came through just across the road and to top it off a Road Train went down the highway next to our camp blowing its air horn.
One thing about it the happy campers came together for like us they had not experienced the three things happening so close together. So we had a late happy hour though Liz and I opted for a soft drink wanting to give the alcohol a rest for a couple of days.
This morning we packed up and said our farewells and we all remarked that the storm that was predicted for the area never eventuated and this morning there were just a few white clouds nothing to worry about.
We had a breeze that we were driving into and that was effecting fuel consumption a little though the going was easy. The bitumen highway in places was rough and we seemed to be climbing ever so gradually until we came upon a sign indicating that we had reached the Central Highlands of Queensland. This is real drought country and the water holes alongside the highway were empty until we came across a small wet lands where there were small water holes.
We noted that the flowering wattle trees were starting to show their orange flowers and it was difficult taking a photo at the speed we were doing. The road kill was minimal and we had no trouble driving around those on the road.
We came across signs indicating there was droving taking place ahead so we were watching for whatever it was. We came across at least 500 cattle who were feeding in the long paddock though they were well of the road and they were spread over about a kilometre. No doubt they are heading for the next water hole that we passed further down the road. This road is classified as stock route.
We finally arrived at Jericho and headed for Redbank Park to park up for a few days. We drove through the main street and noted the new murals that have appeared since we were here several years ago.
When we arrived we were somewhat staggered to find the area nearly deserted so we picked a spot where hopefully we will get the sun for the solar panels for most of the day. Boy did we have sweat running off us just setting up for the temperature was a warm 32 degrees celsius and it would climb to 36 degrees later in the day. We have chosen a spot close to the road for they are still predicting storms for the area.
We had our lunch and then refueled and oiled the chainsaw so we could go and get wood for our firepot. Signs abound stating that using rocks for fireplaces is not permitted. We drove about five kilometres in the opposite direction that we came in and came across dry gum lying on the ground so we just filled Digger's tray and then came home and unloaded with the sweat still pouring off us. Needless to say that our water intake has doubled today.
We sat back in shade during the afternoon reading our books and noted that since we arrived this morning 15 caravans and 1 motorhome have arrived and set up and wouldn't you know it they still have this caravan park mentality they way the park and the closeness to other vans. Especially when there is literally heaps of space. No doubt more will arrive this evening as they do at dusk or in the dark.
We are able to get television here so there is no need for the satellite dish to put into action. Though I suspect we will spend most of our time outdoors trying to cool down and there will be no cooking heating water in the motorhome or we will suffer later in the night.
Kilometres travelled 83

Thursday the 27th of August
Well, we have travelled from East to West and from the bottom of Australia to the top and have experienced the many different faces of the environment and weather. On this trip we have experienced travel on the Murray River and travelled from the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback. We have experienced the many area's of Australia that are in drought conditions on this trip and have been amazed to come across bands of green in those area's where rain has selectively fallen. All of this and nothing that we have experienced in the past has prepared us for what occurred last night.
Around 5pm we were to hear thunder in the distance and the beautiful blue sky starting to cloud over. Our barometer had dropped to show rain though we were not concerned for that had been the reading that for days. Besides the girl in shop when asked did she think it would rain stated "No, it hasn't rained here since last March" so you think that the locals would know what was going to happen because we were not prepared it.
The day had peaked at 36 degrees celsius and we were sitting outside enjoying the cool breeze. Then the sky really darkened and the thunder was overhead and then lightning. Then it happened. One hell of a big gust of wind arrived which lifted our ground covers, we scrambled for water drums and a gas bottle to hold then down for the ground was that hard you could not drive a peg into it. Then again the gusting increased and then we could not see the other happy campers for the dust was that thick it blanketed them all from our view. We were choking as we went inside to close windows etc. The wind stopped momentarily which allowed us to secure even more, our awning which was still up and the ground covers and tables etc. Then one almighty crash of thunder and lightning that we haven't experienced before and the the rain pelted down and even though it killed the dust storm it was so heavy it blocked out the rest of the camping area. One way we were lucky for when we pulled up and put down the ground cover the dust was coming up through the holes, so we put our large tarpaulin down and then the re laid the ground cover on top. This effectively stopped the rain water from coming underneath the ground cover and turning the dust into mud. This storm continued for around three hours though we were as snug as a bug in a rug, so to speak. We do not want to go through this type of weather again. Needless to say we had to cook our meal inside last night.

This morning is very overcast and when going outside our gear was still holding and Digger looked the best it has for a long time with the rain blasting the dust and road grime from it.
I was able to light the firepot this morning and boil the kettle and cook the toast and even though it is sprinkling with rain now and again. The ground has absorbed all the rain from last night and it is easy to walk about. This morning 14 happy campers pulled out for who knows where though we do not have thoughts of moving on for we believe we have weathered the worst of the storm.

The rain ceased and the clouds started to lift so we gathered up our umbrella's just in case and went for a walk into the town centre of Jericho. At the entrance to the park we were to see many Major Mitchell parrots and they did not move as we walked past. We are not sure if the birdman is still alive though last nights weather would have deterred him and the birds. We were to walk past the school and it appeared they had around 20 plus pupils and boy were they noisy, there only appeared to be two teachers.
The trees along the median strip were in flower and we were to see our first Bottle Tree which also had flowers on a few of its branches. We were to see many caravans pass through the town though they are maybe going to the showgrounds. We went into the general store and takeaway and they did not have a lot groceries and the prices were very high. We ordered a bag of hot chips for lunch at $7 for which there were not many. Someone said at the camp ground that the prices were steep and they were right $6 for a medium and $7 for a slightly larger cappacino. We sat over in the park and ate our chips and watched the traffic go by and at 1.15 we went back and bought today's paper that had just arrived.
We walked down to the pub and I had a couple of schooners of XXXX and Liz had a couple of glasses of wine, we had a nice chat to the publican and then we walked back to camp. When we arrived there at 2.45pm we noted a couple of campers we had met at the Lloyd Jones Weir had arrived so went and had a chat with them and then came back and had a happy hour with our neighbors.
The weather has picked up and it is currently 26 degrees and the cloud is dissipating and a little humid though I am able to cook our meal tonight on the firepot thus keeping the cooking heat out of the motorhome. It has been a good day after last night and tonight we will come in and watch the Marngrook Football Show and then off to bed to read for awhile.

Friday the 28th of August
Partially cloudy morning greeted us this morning, though I was able to light the firepot. There were many happy campers leaving this morning and again we did not see many leave a donation. Boiled the kettle and cooked the toast and relaxed with few people that we had met at Longreach coming over for a chat. Like us they are enjoying the camping facilities and the township Jericho and its people.
We lifted up the ground cover and on the tarp was plenty of sand so we swept in sections to remove the sand and in just a few places the tarp was still wet so once dry we placed the ground cover back again. The barometer is still reading stormy weather though there are more sunny conditions today which allows the solar panels to do their job without the need of the generator and battery charger. We had a cup of cappacino for morning tea and the last of our fruit cake and then decided to go walkabout to wear it off.
Needless to say that neither of us have lost any weight as yet. We decided to walk into the town centre and along the way we were to see our first Bottle Tree (Boab) and it had a few flowers on it lower limbs so it must be drawing water from somewhere.
We went to the post office which also doubles as the tourist centre to buy stamps and then we just walked around admiring the spring blossom on the tree's on the median strip in the main street. We dropped into the Drive in Picture theatre in the main street and noted there were sufficient sound units for 26 cars. The projection area holds about twenty canvas chairs under cover. This allows for vehicles and people walking in to attend. Unfortuneately it only operates once a month so the next screening is not until the middle of September. The centre of town was deserted so we decided to go back to camp and read our books for awhile. We walked via the back streets and a lot of the house's are in poor condition and all them are at least a metre off the ground on either concrete or steel piers for they must have trouble with the dreaded white ants in this area. The other notable thing is that there are few houses with spouting leaving rain water to spill directly onto the ground.
It was lunch time when we arrived back so we just had a small snack and then hopped into Digger and went and had a look at the roads in the area and we travelled down the road to Blackall for awhile and then returned and went out to the Show Grounds and noticed there were a few happy campers there. The caravan park is by trust and they have a donation box where they expect the users to pay $15 per night with power and $10 non powered and $5 for tents. We were wondering if people are being honest and leaving the money in the donation box for they are not where we are freedom camped. We had a look at the showers and found we could use them for $2 each so we returned and picked up our shower gear and money for the donation box. Once again we were able to spend time under the shower with beautiful hot water, the showers were very basic though we are not complaining.
Back and hung out our wet things and then again read our books and noted the new comers arriving and setting up. It is an easy night tonight with food so we are only having savaloys in rolls and then washed down with our happy hour drinks.
We will come inside around 7.30 pm to watch the Collingwood V Geelong football game before going off to bed. Boy we did a bit of walking today and tomorrow we may do the river walk, who knows.

Saturday the 29th of August
We were to say farewell to those that left early that we have met and after breakfast out came the washing machine for the day did not look to bad. I bit overcast though the sun was breaking through. It is amazing how many woman come over to view the washing machine in action and a few were to note that I was reading a book whilst Liz was doing the washing. I told them I was on standby in case of breakdowns. Using the generator gave me a chance to check the 15 metre power cable we picked up at Mitre 11 at Barcaldine and it worked a treat and when coiling back up I was looking for damage for it is obvious that it had come off a construction site. There was a small piece of the outer cable missing which I used electrical tape to repair other than that all is ok.
All the washing out and then it became overcast and then intermittent rain arrived. The sheets were nearly dry so we placed them under the awning where hopefully they will dry completely.
We had our lunch and then cleaned the area and then drove up to the town centre where stopped and looked once again at the glazed pottery models of various buildings in the town. They were excellent and someone has gone to a lot of trouble to do these and you could probably call these a model village of Jericho.
Then we took a trip out to Mitre 11 and picked up a couple of bags for our excess wood when we pack up the camp tomorrow, we had cut the wood in small lengths and it would be very hard to tie down in the roof basket in the many rows so two bags should suffice.
Back to camp and there has been another 14 caravans arrive and some have formed up in a square no doubt to be all together.
We will be going up to the pub tonight for a few beers and wine plus have a meal so for the rest of the afternoon we will read our books once again. The late afternoon is a bit overcast though the sun is shining through. The temperature is 29 degrees celsius and a little humid so once again in shorts and singlet.

Sunday the 30th of August
What a wonderful night at the hotel last night in Jericho. We left our campsite deciding to walk the kilometre or so. We did not want to drive Digger in case they had breathalyser tests. When we arrived we were the only one's there at 6pm and when we enquired about meals the answer was yes and the woman placed a menu in front of us. We ordered and paid though indicating we would not want our meal to around 7pm or later.
A couple of locals came in and we were able to engage them in conversation and found that the town had no teenagers at all for they all moved away to get work and that only left the school children. Our meals arrived and they were great and they were priced at city prices, we washed them down with a few more schooners of XXXX and wine. It was after 8pm when we left for our motorhome and to watch the Richmond V Essendon game and it was half time when we switched on the television. It was a most enjoyable night even more so when the publican gave us a huge piece of Russian Black Forest Cake to take away with us. What a bonus!
We awoke this morning and hopped out of bed at 6.45am and the sky was that Queensland Blue again with not a cloud in sight and it would stay that way all day with the temperature reaching 30 degrees Celsius and no humidity. Lit the firepot and out came the fry pan and then cooked bacon and eggs plus a hash brown each washed down with two cups of tea, isn't this camping something to behold. After breakfast I split the last of the wood and packed it into bags from Mitre 11 and then up onto Diggers roof basket for fires down the road. Decanted gas from a 9 kilo bottle of gas to a 4 kg bottle for we can expect the gas for the fridge to run out shortly. Up with our ground covers and Liz swept them down and then we packed them away in the back of Digger. We had a cup of tea for morning tea and whilst drinking that the trees behind us came alive with Tree Martins flittering around from tree to tree. It was very difficult to capture them on the camera and out of twelve shots there was only one that depicted the many many birds going from tree to tree. They only stayed around for fifteen minutes and then they were gone as quick as they arrived,
We needed to visit the dump point with our cassette and so we decided to use the showers near the dump point once again leaving a $2 donation each for use of the facilities.
We had a chat with some fellow Tasmanians at the show grounds and discovered though they lived in Hobart their shack was at Binalong Bay. Needless to say we were all on the same page discussing the various things about the bay then we spoke of our travels and compared notes for further down the track. Coming out of the show grounds we were to see many Major Mitchell Galah's foraging on the ground.
We arrived back and it was lunch time so we had a huge slice of Russian Black Forest cake each and that was enough for lunch it was heavy especially with all the mock cream. We started to dismantle the camp even further and our near neighbors noted this and came over asking were we leaving today. No tomorrow we told them they were surprised for they do not pack until they are ready to leave.
We sat out in the sun for the rest of the afternoon and read our books and had a chat to those who came by. A simple meal tonight and I have decided to have baked beans on toast cooked outside to keep the heat out of the motorhome.
We will watch a bit of television when it gets dark before going off to bed.

Monday the 31st of August
It was a cool night which made for better sleeping conditions. We hopped out of bed at 6.30am and had our breakfast, though before that I had to change a gas bottle over that had run out during the night. After breakfast we just took our time cleaned the motorhome on the inside the outside shows a lot of road grime which will be washed off later when water is available.
We spoke to the happy campers each side of us who wished us a safe journey and one indicated they would be coming to Tasmania soon so we gave them a card and invited them to make contact when they arrive.
We hooked Digger up and we were away at 9am and it was a pleasant day no wind and nice blue sky's. When we turned out of the camping area we noted that the Birdman was coming along the footpath. We stopped and had a chat to him and he indicated that he doesn't come into the camping area anymore for as he stated he is now getting a bit old and his back isn't getting any better. The fact is he stills feeds the birds though in a different location and that is why we did not see him whilst we were here.
On the highway and the going was easy and the countryside after around 30 kilometres changed to brown soil and there were many ant hills in the paddocks though they were not large. Before we knew it we arrived at Alpha and we detoured off the highway into the town centre which is located on the one street with the exception of the butcher. We were to see the fossilised wood display which unfortunately had the sun at their rear and due to this the camera did not quite capture the beauty of the wood.

We walked to the end of the street and then on the way back we dropped into the supermarket and bought some mandarins though not biscuits for they had Tim Tams priced at $4.15 a packet. We could not resist the bakery for we had to buy bread. The pies were just coming out of the oven and they smelled nice so Liz had one and I had a plain and a mushroom pie and we sat outside eating them. A couple of young magpies were coming in close to eat the flake of the crust and they were not scared at all as they came between our feet. It was now 11am so we then went back to the Capricorn Highway and dropped into the Caltex station for a diesel top up at $1.35.9 cents a litre.
Back on the road and the day was still good though we had the feeling we were climbing all the time though it wasn't showing in our speed. We came across a lot of cattle who for a change were not showing their ribs they were in good condition, they were mostly by the waterhole which was nearly full. You could see that they have had a lot of rain in this area for the were puddles along the highway and the ground was greening. For once we noted the lack of road kill in fact we did not see one piece along the highway.
We reached a sign that indicated that we were now traversing the Great Dividing Range no wonder we had the feeling that we were climbing. The railway line was beside us until we came to the long climbs up the range and the colours were great and they even had a blueish hue about them.
We came across a sign that signaled that we were now on the Hammond Range and so we turned off the highway and went in two kilometres to a lookout that gave excellent views of the range and the highway could be seen winding its way down off the ranges. We were to see a lone Train Engine with no carriages coming at us alongside the highway.
We decided to pull up early today and so we pulled into Bogantungan at around 1.30pm and set up for the night. As we wish to see the wash up of the football over the last weekend I set up the satellite dish to watch Talking Footy tonight.
We had our lunch and then had a look at the railway station and its surrounds though we could not see the museum for it was locked. I came back to the motorhome and had a snooze after a sandwich and a cup of tea.
Later in the afternoon a couple of happy campers came in and we had a good old chat as to where everyone has been and were we expect to travel. We have declared today an alcohol free day. So we will watch the footy show and a bit of television and then off to bed to read our books for awhile. It has been a good day for travelling and the temperature reached 28 degrees celsius.
Kilometres travelled 132