We left Mt Isa and drove for a while, stopped for lunch, drove for another while (all up about 350 klms) to a freecamp called WW2 Campground. After parking the vans close together we had happy hour. A couple from the van across the way came over. They were from Hervey Bay and as she only had a months holiday they were trying to get everywhere fast. The k's they were driving each day were about 800. They were an interesting couple to talk to. She was a nurse and Arnold thought he was a farmer by the way he was dressed but in actual fact he had been in the Army and after being discharged had tried different jobs but at that time he wasn't working.
After they left I walked up to a Memorial Sign explaining the significance of the area.
Whilst up there a very long road train went passed. It was getting dark so taillights is mostly what you can see. I can't get over how long they are. When one comes passed while you are driving you have to watch that the last trailer doesn't snake over to your side of the road which does happen on occasion but not to us thank goodness.
Below are a couple of shots looking back to where we are parked. That's us more to the right of the picture.
And another panorama shot.
There was a sliver of moon out that night so I had to take a pic.
The next day is when we started to see anthills. People have started to dress them up so every so often you see a larger one with a shirt on or a pair of knickers over the top. They look quite comical.
We saw more eagles picking on the road kill but its so hard to get a decent shot of them. The picture below is the best I could get with my wide angle lens. I didn't have the telephoto lens with me.
We saw a few windmills so just to pass the time I took a few pictures of them. I have always liked the look of them standing out there with nothing much else around.
We drove in to Camooweal and had to get fuel. What a circus that was. The service station is quite small and as there was a car and van parked on one side we drove around to get into the other but a car had come in on our side so we had to wait. Then the car and van drove down and wanted to pass us to get to a parking area but there wasn't much room so they stopped. Then the car on our side was finished so he tried to get out but couldn't because the other van was blocking his way. Arnold had to ask the guy with the car and van to move forward so he did but it wasn't enough so he had to ask him again. Finally the car could get out. So frustrating. To top it all off, the fuel was an astronomical price - $1.99 a litre. The bus across the way is all painted. The Maori people driving it have been travelling Australia for years and years and it is their home.
Below is a shot of the countryside along the Barkly Highway.
We freecamped another night. There were quite a few travellers there that night.
The following day we passed the Barkly Roadhouse. There were a couple of roadtrains there.
The shot below is another roadtrain passing.
And another windmill. I played around with the color on this one.
And so we came to the Threeways intersection.
Just around the corner is the Threeways Fuel Stop. Seems like all we do is feed/fuel the Patrol lol.
I spotted this monument as we drove in so had to go and take a picture. It is about a truckie called Shane Stone (Stoney) who was killed in a trucking accident. He was also a poet. He must have been well liked to have a monument erected in his honour.
A little way up the road we stopped at the Stuart Memorial Freecamp. There were quite a few vans already there. I decided to make donuts so got my stove etc. and took it to the concrete table next to the van. By the time I started most of the couples around came over with their drinks. So everyone was trying my donuts and liking them. I even took some over to a few packpackers knowing they would appreciate something sweet freshly cooked. And they did! I made about 50 and they all went.
The following morning we drove to The Daly Waters Pub. After paying for our one night stay and setting up Maureen and I walked over to the pub area and took some pics. The two below are us standing near the thong tree.
Then we went inside and there is a bra area where a lot of people have signed and left their bras.
Across the road is a building with a helicopter on top. They sell a few souvenirs and such like.
Before we left the following morning I took a few shots The one below is our van and Pat and Maureens behind us.
We hadn't taken any pictures out the front of the pub so we did that before we left.
While walking back to the van we saw Eddy the man who showed us where to park the day before. He is quite a character. He used to work on a station and when it all got too much for him the people from the pub offered him a job. He is a Scot but looks more like an Irish Leprechaun with his blue eyes.
It was only a little ways up the highway to Mataranka Homestead Caravan Park so that is where we are heading.
Bye for now.
1 comment:
good one Ronnie xx Maureen
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