4th June Julia Creek

Some updates:
What’s on my mind? I haven’t posted for a few days is the answer to that. So, I had better do something about it.Tuesday was our last full day in Longreach, stock up, visit laundromat (that was an experience in itself. Met a crazy woman who was a cook for shearer’s and talked into my face, non stop, language that my gentle ears had never heard....and remember I worked with soldiers in Germany!!! I think she was ‘high’ on something.)
I was very glad to hear my marching finish & I could escape. The Supermarket in Longreach is very good, naturally a little more expensive than Melbourne. Good drying day, so all set for the next adventure. Wednesday morning we left Apex Park at 9:30 and drove the 175k to Winton. The scenery is non existent, flat , dry, and still many caravans, road trains and plenty of rest stops available.

31st May, Winton. We were able to get a spot at the Great Northern Hotel, there are about 12 vans here, $10 per night and we can use there shower & toilets and there is a tap beside our van which was an unexpected plus. We had seen this spot when we were here 3 years ago, in fact I took a photo of the sign at at time. It is beside ‘Arno’s Wall’
And they have extended it since we were here and it’s now around the edge of the caravan parking area. We are right beside it, so have visitors all the time , taking photos of the wall. It is the one with the blue seat on the motorcycle.

Winton continues....we went to a presentation of Banjo Patterson’s story and poetry put on by a man in the dining room of the hotel prior to dinner last night. This was where Waltzing Matilda was first performed. We also had dinner there . The day had been very hot and very windy. Brian got up at 3:20 to put the awning up, it was flapping & we didn’t want to loose it.
To day we drove out to Dinosaur territory, we had been before, but it was a nice place to go again. We didn’t do the tours because we are not interested enough to pay $100 for the guided tour.
On return we met up with folk we had camped beside in Longreach & I find that Lyn comes from Taranaki NZ, and another couple we met at Fletcher’s Creek last year. This all adds to our trip.
The Dinosaur Centre is up in the hills on the edge of a cliff that overlooks the low land where the bones were found.

2nd June, Winton.
Another summer day for Victorians in Queensland.
Yesterday we went through the Waltzing Matilda Centre and were very impressed with their rebuild. The original was burnt down 3 years ago, just a couple of weeks before we were here last. The new one has amazing electronic visual presentations that only these new centres can do. The also have been able to collect so much memorabilia in the form of machinery and have set up so many things tot do with Banjo Paterson & life in 1800s & first half of 1900s. Entry fee of $27 was well worth it.
2nd May. Today we have been shopping as you will note by my new hat....much needed. Went for a drive around the area, checked a free camp spot at The Water Hole. Looks very nice but lots of flies, so are pleased to be where we are.
Arno’s Wall tells quite a story.....Brian can watch Richmond tonight (don’t think this TV will work though!)
Cook dinner in the coal range(need some coal)
Wash up in the sink (where is the plug?)
Found all the spare parts for our grandson, even the hubcaps that were stolen from his car!

It’s a great sight for photographers.

Monday 4th June,
Today we have driven north 278k to Julia Creek. We are in the Council run free RV caravan park by the river. They also have the caravan park in the town which has a population of approximately 400. They have a very progressive Council and came up with the idea of putting on a meal on Monday nights in the main Park which has the facilities. Both Pubs are closed on Mondays and they approached the different community groups with the suggestion that they could take turns of putting it on and using it as a fund raiser. Tonight was the CWAs turn & they served corned beef, potato, cabbage, corn on the cob and damper - then sticky date pudding & cream , all for $15. The Council bus came and picked up all who want to go & then returned us after....for free. There would have been 100 there and it was really, really great.