Yep, got sick of the Evernew.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
We're in bloke heaven...
But more about that later. In the meantime, a quick catch up on all the really exciting things we've been doing and seeing.
While we were in Charleville, we went to the Comos Centre. Bloody amazing, skies so clear that their telescopes can pick up stars you wouldn't believe...and best of all, we saw Saturn with its ring of moons. It was truly spectacular.
Dunno if I told you, we met up with a couple from Kilmore, John and Wendy, bloody terrific couple, so no more to report there except we keep on bumping into them, (sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not).
Stopped at Blackall and enjoyed more country singing, (naturally John and Wendy were there). Then onto Longreach via Isisford. Isisford is sort of off the beaten track, almost like an outdoor museum of old buildings. Lovely place. On the way we came across all manner of animals including Brolgas, wild pigs, brumbies, kangaroos, eagles, emus and untold numbers of brahman cattle, (they've had a very good season up here).
Oh yes, we also bumped into with John and Wendy at Isisford.
Next Longreach. Stockmans Hall of Fame was OK but the Qantas museum was fantastic. Also went on a paddle steamer ride on the Thomson River which to begin with seemed like a waste of time and money. But when we got back to the shore, we were treated to a camp meal and Milton!
Milton is a retired, 70 year old shearer who comes to Longreach every year because he loves the bush, and more importantly he loves keeping the tradition of bush poetry alive.
He was fantastic. Funny as hell, melancholy, downright sad, uplifting...he had a poem for almost every situation and emotion. Mally and I really enjoyed the night...it reinforced what we probably already knew, that there is a real Australian spirit and larrikanism that is alive and well in outback NSW and Queensland. Which is sort of different to the rest of Autralia. There it's terrifc and varied scenery, outback NSW and Queensland it's pretty boring grazing country but a real sense of Australian history and culture.
On to Winton, Banjo Patterson country and more country music and bush poetry.
Next stop, Mt Isa. The mine with a town attached to it.
Haven't come across John and Wendy for a while, but we met this funny old fella' as we were coming in to the caravan park who very loudly explained that Evernews were great vans...and so was his...a Paramount.
Now, we didn't take issue with him because he was so loud, but had to cut the conversation short when he exclaimed that "Jaycos were a loud of junk, and why would you buy one when you would have to trade it in after 2 years...'cause they're a heap of /#*>!".
We were standing in amongst I reckon 10 vans, about 6 of which were Jaycos and many of which were occupied at the time...by their owners. Interesting the people you meet on the road.
Next stop Gregory Downs and Lawn Hill National Park...a bloody lovely experience. About 350kms north of Mt Isa, Gregory Downs is in the middle of nowhere. There's a pub and about six people live in the town.
It's all cattle country and really not too interesting, but when you get out to Lawn Hill, all that changes. There's a permanent spring fed river and a series of cascades with palm trees and bamboo along the banks...it's hard to imagine how the countryside can change from semi arid to lush green so absruptly.
Spent the next couple of days investigating the area around Gregory Downs based on local knowledge provided by Mick and Dawn. They actually live in Bayswater in Melbourne and come up and stay for 7 months every year to act as caretakers at the camp ground. Really great people but they've been doing this for 8 years, get their food and lodgings and bugger all else...and they don't even get on with the owner of the camp.
Anyway, they sent us to 3 beautiful spots along the Gregory Rive, 1 of which you would never find, (and you will never find because we will never tell you and neither will Mick). Beautiful clear water, fish, birds, peace, quiet...bloody paradise.
Then, Normantown and only 75kms to the Gulf...sounds like we are Burke and Wills and in some ways we felt like we were. 'Cause we went bush bashing to the cairn that marks the location of Burke and Wills most northerly camp, (camp 119). These guys were so close to achieving their goal of reaching the sea it is heartbreaking.
So now we sit in bloke heaven...it's called Karumba, it's at the mouth of the Normanton River and I reckon every bloke here except me has a wife who loves him...they're all got BOATS!
Admittedly they're all tinnies, but at least they're boats. Many of them come up here for the dry season, (some stay as long as 6 months and have been doing it for multiple years).
And why are they here...because of the Barramundi, Jew fish, Grunters, Sharks...you name, it's here, (including the crocs and a few midges).
Currently it's about 30 degrees, nice sea breeze and we've just finished lunch...fresh prawns straight from the co-op.
Ah life's good.
Suppose it's time for a little lie down now.
So, until next time, it's adios, adieu, benvenuti and wishing you were here...
While we were in Charleville, we went to the Comos Centre. Bloody amazing, skies so clear that their telescopes can pick up stars you wouldn't believe...and best of all, we saw Saturn with its ring of moons. It was truly spectacular.
Dunno if I told you, we met up with a couple from Kilmore, John and Wendy, bloody terrific couple, so no more to report there except we keep on bumping into them, (sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not).
Stopped at Blackall and enjoyed more country singing, (naturally John and Wendy were there). Then onto Longreach via Isisford. Isisford is sort of off the beaten track, almost like an outdoor museum of old buildings. Lovely place. On the way we came across all manner of animals including Brolgas, wild pigs, brumbies, kangaroos, eagles, emus and untold numbers of brahman cattle, (they've had a very good season up here).
Oh yes, we also bumped into with John and Wendy at Isisford.
Next Longreach. Stockmans Hall of Fame was OK but the Qantas museum was fantastic. Also went on a paddle steamer ride on the Thomson River which to begin with seemed like a waste of time and money. But when we got back to the shore, we were treated to a camp meal and Milton!
Milton is a retired, 70 year old shearer who comes to Longreach every year because he loves the bush, and more importantly he loves keeping the tradition of bush poetry alive.
He was fantastic. Funny as hell, melancholy, downright sad, uplifting...he had a poem for almost every situation and emotion. Mally and I really enjoyed the night...it reinforced what we probably already knew, that there is a real Australian spirit and larrikanism that is alive and well in outback NSW and Queensland. Which is sort of different to the rest of Autralia. There it's terrifc and varied scenery, outback NSW and Queensland it's pretty boring grazing country but a real sense of Australian history and culture.
On to Winton, Banjo Patterson country and more country music and bush poetry.
Next stop, Mt Isa. The mine with a town attached to it.
Haven't come across John and Wendy for a while, but we met this funny old fella' as we were coming in to the caravan park who very loudly explained that Evernews were great vans...and so was his...a Paramount.
Now, we didn't take issue with him because he was so loud, but had to cut the conversation short when he exclaimed that "Jaycos were a loud of junk, and why would you buy one when you would have to trade it in after 2 years...'cause they're a heap of /#*>!".
We were standing in amongst I reckon 10 vans, about 6 of which were Jaycos and many of which were occupied at the time...by their owners. Interesting the people you meet on the road.
Next stop Gregory Downs and Lawn Hill National Park...a bloody lovely experience. About 350kms north of Mt Isa, Gregory Downs is in the middle of nowhere. There's a pub and about six people live in the town.
It's all cattle country and really not too interesting, but when you get out to Lawn Hill, all that changes. There's a permanent spring fed river and a series of cascades with palm trees and bamboo along the banks...it's hard to imagine how the countryside can change from semi arid to lush green so absruptly.
Spent the next couple of days investigating the area around Gregory Downs based on local knowledge provided by Mick and Dawn. They actually live in Bayswater in Melbourne and come up and stay for 7 months every year to act as caretakers at the camp ground. Really great people but they've been doing this for 8 years, get their food and lodgings and bugger all else...and they don't even get on with the owner of the camp.
Anyway, they sent us to 3 beautiful spots along the Gregory Rive, 1 of which you would never find, (and you will never find because we will never tell you and neither will Mick). Beautiful clear water, fish, birds, peace, quiet...bloody paradise.
Then, Normantown and only 75kms to the Gulf...sounds like we are Burke and Wills and in some ways we felt like we were. 'Cause we went bush bashing to the cairn that marks the location of Burke and Wills most northerly camp, (camp 119). These guys were so close to achieving their goal of reaching the sea it is heartbreaking.
So now we sit in bloke heaven...it's called Karumba, it's at the mouth of the Normanton River and I reckon every bloke here except me has a wife who loves him...they're all got BOATS!
Admittedly they're all tinnies, but at least they're boats. Many of them come up here for the dry season, (some stay as long as 6 months and have been doing it for multiple years).
And why are they here...because of the Barramundi, Jew fish, Grunters, Sharks...you name, it's here, (including the crocs and a few midges).
Currently it's about 30 degrees, nice sea breeze and we've just finished lunch...fresh prawns straight from the co-op.
Ah life's good.
Suppose it's time for a little lie down now.
So, until next time, it's adios, adieu, benvenuti and wishing you were here...
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