Lightning Ridge to Blackall
Didn’t get too far with the Blog – too busy. Had a great tour of the opal fields, went down a mine, saw all sorts of interesting stuff below and above ground. The guide was a real character, when we stopped off for a cuppa he entertained us with a couple of his own songs. We were so impressed we bought his CD – he calls himself Willie – not Nelson – Hackett. Met up with him later at the local RSL Club and met his wife – she sings too apparently and for many years they toured the country as entertainers.
MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER
Had a more sedate tour this morning and saw even more interesting sites, we were allowed to fossick on the tour guide’s spoil heaps from his own mine. I found a couple of tiny bits of colour (opal), but Jeff found what appeared to be a piece of opalised bone – only about three quarters of an inch long, but very pretty. Our guide was most impressed<BG>
This afternoon we visited the Black Hand Mine where an English guy gave up mining for opals and started carving into the sandstone – around 300 high and low relief carvings of animals, people, ancient Egyptian figures, super heros, wonderfully done, all apparently within the last year or so.
TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
On our way out of town we decided to call in at the Visitor’s Centre for a last fossick in the spoil heaps which are dumped there. We mentioned to the young lady behind the counter that Jeff had found that piece of bone and she said to show it to this guy who had just walked in. He was very interested and asked us if we we would like to see some more. It appears that he is a local expert and invited us to his place, just outside town. We spent a fascinating half-hour or so with George who actually gave us some bits of fossils and some opalised mussels. He also had 3 young puppies!!!!!!
Finally left at 11.40am heading for St George via Hebel (just over the border in Queensland) and Durranbandi. Saw a stump tail lizard (I think) on the side of the road, a few emus, but still no ‘roos – apart from the dead ‘ns lining both sides of the highway – you’d think they’d learn that you can’t head-butt a roadtrain.
We stayed overnight at the Kapunda Fishing Park about 9Km north of St George. Lovely site, right by the Baronne River. As we were only staying one night we didn’t bother to get the fishing rods out. The only problem with the Park – we were rather a trek from the loos!! Met a man and his wife who had 5 sheepdogs (Welsh Collies) plus a 7 week old pup. They all tour around doing exhibitions and were having a short break.
WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
As we left the park we actually saw our first live kangaroos – but they were in fact orphans rescued by the site owner after their mothers had been killed on the road.
A little way along the road I took over the wheel and drove for 15Km!!!!!
A bit later we saw a flock of budgies – and then ……. A bloomin’ great SNAKE wriggling across the road, must’ve been at least 5 foot long.
We stayed overnight at the Major Mitchell Caravan Park in Mitchell – another nice site, next to a river – first class facilities.
THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER
When we left this morning Jeff keyed in Longreach on the TomTom and it gave a reading of 308 miles before our next turning!!! This am sure a Big Country.
We saw several birds of prey which looked a bit like our British Red Kite – they may be Whistling Kites – gotta get a better bird book. And finally we saw our first really wild (live) roo, 22k north of Augathella.
. Had a fuel stop and short break in Augathella – very small place.
Stopped at Blackall for the night