A fresh start and in the distance I can see the ranges of Idalia and Carnarvon National Parks and onto Blackall where I had the unfortunate luck to meet a traveling Evangelist. Mmm! should I have told him I am an Atheist? No!
I came into Barcaldine for a quick squize around the town and pub
before heading back out to Lloyd Jones Weir, a camp area about 15k out, I had already passed the turn off so retraced my tracks to the road to Isisford then 1k of dirt road. It was a nice shady place, a little crowded though with clean flushing toilets and plenty of open fire places.
Cooked my butcher bought sausages (lip smacking good) on my neighbor's fire after a lovely happy hour with them, then a good night sleep with not so much pain in my ankle.
I've check and this bird is defiantly a Brolga.
The Tree of Knowledge stands in Barcaldine surrounded by a large box shaped frame protecting the branches of the large old Cabbage Gum tree. A group of protesting sheep shearer's, after the 1891 Shearer's strike for better conditions, founded the birth place of the Australian Labor Party under this tree in 1892.
Heading east tomorrow in the direction of Rockhampton.
Passing through this vast area on the Landsborough Hwy, surveyed by Major Mitchell Surveyor-General of NSW in 1846. The cranky Scotsman filled the position after Evans (of Blue mountains fame) died. Remembering the majority of Australia was NSW. He and his men spent more than 12 months exploring the unknown country looking for a great river flowing north/west.
He never found it, maybe its because its underground and I, have not found the Major Mitchell cockatoo.
Looking in the distance to the west where the water mirages begin and the trees are sparse, that far out place is where I would love to be.
Stopping at Tambo for the night in a caravan park for $25, simply because I can, specially due to my mangled ankle. Fell out of the motor home, missed the step, panicked thinking I had broken it, plenty of strapping, tight sock and shoe kept it in place, all is good.
And Wow! speaking to family on FB how amazing is that. I don't know how they did it but I was so grateful to hear their voices.
I don't often admit I miss them all but I defiantly do, thank you for the call girls.
At first sight, the town of Augathella was disappointing as my first stop at the garage/caravan park was where I asked the price for one powered overnight site and was told $30. A bit rich for me so continued on into the town find a spot to have lunch and I found it a small pretty town with a food store, a reasonably priced butcher, a lovely parking area and of course the local pub with free overnight parking to boot.
Out front of the butcher I met the local police officers young wife, her baby daughter and her Scottish mum. He being posted in this town for the next 3 years and being only 1 month since their arrival, we talked about how they would manage living in the outback after coming from the big smoke 'Brisbane'. Of course I can't remember any of their names and as usual my introduction to them was via Ruby as they have their own silky terrier. I found them very chatty especially the young wife, who'd resigned from the police force ending her own career to become a mum and to follow her husband. I've come away from this meeting with an open invitation for a cuppa and chat next time I'm through this way.
I asked another local, a retired shearer what was grown on the properties around here, use to be Sorghum! was the answer, for cattle feed, some tree forestry further back toward Morven but mostly cattle farming has taken over these days.
Here's a layed back Augathella local, he didn't move an inch while Ruby and I circled the truck while taking photos of him.
