These back roads are great, the passing scenery changes constantly, I had a mob of kangaroos bounding by on my right so I broke into song, 6 white boomers, snow white boomers, racing santa clause through the blazing sun.......then I realise the crash cam camera is recording sound secretly so I laughingly shut myself up. I love being our here, not to much traffic, of course there are big trucks but just keep an eye out for them and move over enough for them not to have to hit the dirt and have stones thrown up when they pass.
I keep Nicki in view in the rear view mirror and far enough behind me that there is plenty of room between us to give motorists space and not have them over take her then find they have to overtake again to quickly. I like at least 600 mtrs or even more between our motor homes.
So its Wednesday and we're in Sarat, we fill the tanks for $1.34 per ltr, the cheapest price so far on this trip.
Surat is Cobb & Co town, the last horse drawn coach left here in 1924 with the last trip being between Surat and Yuleba at a distance of 75kl. At the hight of Cobb& Co they were running 3000 horses at a total of around 10,000 miles a week.
Mmmm! it's bit unusual for us to see a horse and rider on the town footpath while we have a cuppa and cake at the local store. We were considering our camp spot and decided on 'The Fishing and Restocking Club Park' just over the Balonne river, a gold coin donation and a fairly large level area with a clean loo's and water.
I find it easy to strike up a conversation with fellow campers while wandering around in the late afternoon when they are setting up or have their fires going. I take my camera with me and I tell them I am gathering many photos of choofers', it's a conversation starter if nothing else. I often get comical prompts like "Na! ya can't caus I have a patent on this one" or "it'll cost ya" I'm always amazed at the variety/design of the ingeniously wielded pieces for different types of cooking. This one is kinda special.
Before leaving camp I was directed by "Na! its patented" to a spot about 1/2 kl out of town where I would find plenty of timber that was left behind after the wood mill closed down. There were dozens of large white bags left on both sides of the dirt track. Loading up as much as I thought was ok for the rear carry box and Nicki also collected some wood for the spare space she had.
We have decided that we will be as far north as we want to go when we pass through Roma and Charleville and have made our final south westerly destination as "The Burke and Wills Did Tree" Yey!! I'm a happy vegemite.
Turned east from Talwood before turning north again at Bungunya, passing thru Westmar on this very straight long road to Meandarra (me an darra) the town named after a man and his dog. We considered staying overnight here with power and water @ $10 for the first 2 nights and then the next 2 nights free, good value if needing time off the road but we continued on, now heading west to Glenmorgan where we pulled over to enjoy the afternoon beside the gum trees and the old railway station.
The camp area is beside the railway track that was/is 'end of line' and also directly across the road from the general store. I seen they sold some camp items in the store, I rattled around in there for a bit and found 2 really large tent pegs $6 each, just what I need to make a grid atop the choofer. It will balance the kettle and frypan nicely but will have to wait till I'm home to visit the Mens Shed for help drilling 4 holes.
Under the shade of the picnic area members of council gathered to have their local meeting, I couldn't help but quietly listen in to their discussion about Anzac Day. The donation box is beside the gas bbq's and power switches.
This is a quiet, enjoyable spot with the weather being nice and warm during the day. There is fire drum and timber supplied for the travellers. A couple from Tasmania camped nearby and cranked up the fire so, of course we were there to soak up the heat as the cool night set in, What a way to end the day, treated to a fabulous sunset with good company to boot.
We didn't have time to swim in the Artesian pools, we were just to busy washing and drying clothes as the plan was to leave before lunch. The fee for the washing machine was $5 and the dryer $3 all up with our nights stay was $26, the most we've spent so far.
Saying goodbye to Boomi with a cupboard full of clean dry winter clothes, we are back on the road that takes us across the border at the Macintyre River. Locals tell me this river is the Barwon, the bridge sign says otherwise so think they are splitting hairs. Shortly after crossing the bridge the road narrows to a single land road .....we are now in Queensland.
Making our way to Talwood Sports ground on Saturday, only 36kl away with power, water, hot showers and toilets for a donation that's to be left at the general store. Stayed 3 nights and left a fare bit of money in town. Firstly, 2 women travellers camped near us offered to sell me their motor home truck solar window covers as they have no use for them since buying a caravan. I offered $100 knowing that they are worth near $400 on ebay, they accepted my offer and I am very pleased with the purchase. The temperature difference is amazing in the cabin and Ruby has taken up residence there in the drivers seat, that gets her out from under my feet in the small space of the motor home.
Tea and Scones in the post office, goodies bought at the food store and a stroll down the street we found a store filled with nuts, bolts and possibly anything you can think of. Nicki wanted graph paper and/or a ruler that couldn't be bought in the local food store so we asked sheepishly if the owner of this store could help and sure enough he had both, given to Nicki for free.
I figure it wouldn't hurt asking if he does small fix it jobs and sure enough he was willing to come out to the park to take a look. As I noted earlier, I had a small problem with my awning arm and it turns out that he has been an engineer in his time and has a lathe in the back of his store. He shows up at camp after lunch bringing with him a calibrator and many tools in the back of his troopie truck. An Irish fellow and wife camped beside me also had a problem with his awning so that one was fixed first, then onto mine which needed special attention having two parts made up back at the shop. It wasn't long before he was back and with a few hits with the hammer for extra adjustment, making all the difference. That darned arm on the awning will never come off again.
The word was! that the pub was serving Sunday roast on Saturday night for $15 followed by a lemon squash. There were 6 women and 1 Irish husband in our group from the camp that enjoyed the meal. Footy was on telly when we arrived and the woman among us were commenting that they didn't like the rough and tumble of football, I piped up and said "bring back the biff I say" you should have seen the grins on the locals sitting at the bar...so funny.
