Wydon Crafts

SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER

Even more fun and games when we tried to leave the campsite for the day.   Betty refused to start – had to be jump-started by a little Morris Minor ute(!!)   All the Morris Minor people stood around laughing and taking photos.   We then looked for an auto-electrician – it  was closed, but we found a bloke next door who was willing to try to help.   His name is Bill Dudley and indeed he did help.   2 batteries were totally knackered (the one from the solar panels had been hissing and bubbling a bit, and smelling a bit strange too – no it wasn’t Jeff), and the third one was a bit iffy.   We now have two new batteries connected and an iffy spare, which Jeff will get checked out later.

Tomorrow we’re going to do a tour of the opal fields.   They have a draw here every evening for tickets for various tours – we won one!!

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SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Have just discovered that this site provides FREEEEEE Internet connection!!!    So while we’re waiting for our Opal tour to start at 1:15, we’re checking emails and I’m updating this Blog.    Will be working on some photos too.

More later.

Had a great tour around the town and the opal fields – a real character of a tour guide - Willy (not Nelson) Hackett, who is also an extremely talented and versatile entertainer.   He sang us a couple of his own songs during a coffee break and we enjoyed them so much we bought his CD.   We met him and his Mrs in the LR RSL Club this evening and heard even more yarns and jokes.   The tour was fascinating – the Ridge is a remarkable place.

Tomorrow we were due to leave, but decided to stay on as we want to do a couple more tours.

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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.

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FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

Left Blackall at 9:40 after refuelling.   According to a sign in Blackall we are now going “Beyond the Black Stump” that means we’re entering Queensland’s Outback.   Fairly uneventful drive, although still interesting enough – long straight roads just going on forever.   Beautiful trees, still plenty of birds although most of them are too fast to identify.

We went through the tiny town of Ilfracombe a few miles before Longreach – a huge display of very old vehicles and farming equipment all along the main street.

Stayed overnight at the Discovery Campsite in Longreach – a bit pricey at $28 a night, but we had a lovely long swim in the pool and decided that it was worth it.    V. hot and dry – 38C.

SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

Bought a new CB radio before we left Longreach – the one provided (!!) in ‘Betty’ was knackered.    Finally left town for Kynuna at 11:40 – another uneventful but still interesting drive.   We’re still looking out for live ‘roos!

Arrived at Kynuna and booked in at the Blue Heeler Campsite.   A bit basic but very friendly and a good pub.   Met the Steele family who had been with us in the pool at Longreach – they were only stopping briefly intending to carry on to Mt Isa so that they could find a good church to attend the following morning.   Nice family with 3 great kids.   Camped next to us were a couple from SA with their 3 Basenji dogs – naturally we got talking.   Jeff then decided he liked the look of the pub menu so he ate there.   I was too hot to be hungry so didn’t bother.    When Jeff returned – stuffed (he said that the meal was so big it even beat him – 2 pork chops per serving!!) we had a drink or three with Tony and Heather in their caravan, and met the dogs too.   Don’t think they were happy about being invaded – the dogs I mean.

SUNDAY 21 / MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

We were greeted by 4 brolgas this morning – these are tall crane-like birds with grey plumage and pinky-red flesh on their heads – totally tame, just marched about the site.

We said our goodbyes and left the campsite at 7:30!!! and filled up at the town’s gas station – what a pair of right miseries.   Jeff couldn’t get the pump to work so he politely asked if it was working and this grumpy woman came out and flicked it on and started to go back in.   Jeff asked if she would turn on the other pump (it seemed to have a better nozzle) “No” was the blunt reply.   Then when Jeff went in to pay, the bloke behind the counter was really sarcastic about the amount of fuel Jeff had bought.    It was only a top-up as we like to start each day with a full tank.   The majority of people we have met on this trip have been really great – the others on the road, the reception bods at the campsites, people in shops – so pleasant without it being forced, and then you come across people who wouldn’t spit on you if you wuz dying of thirst!!!   Kinda takes the edge off things a bit.

Fantastic site along the road to Cloncurry – thousands of termite mounds stretching into the distance on either side of the road.   All different sizes from about 9” to 3 or 4 feet.

We stopped briefly at the Burke and Wills Memorial and saw a young calf on the wrong side of the fence obviously trying to find it’s way back to Mum.   A little way along the road Jeff spotted a camel.   He stopped the van and went to photograph it – of course it moved away.   But then he saw some more and got more piccies.   As we moved off I spotted the camels running parallel to us in the bush, so I leaned out of the window and took some more.

We got into Mt Isa and went straight to the Visitors’ Information Centre where, who should we meet but Tony standing outside in some shade with the dogs.   Heather was inside trying to get information on site which accepted dogs.    We got some general info on sites in the town and decided to try one that was on the river.   HAH – it was on the river alright, it was even called the Riverside Caravan Park, part of the Copper City Caravan Park – but there weren’t no water in the flippin’ river.   Anyway, we were allocated a spot and pulled up alongside another Coaster.   Got talking to it’s owners Tom and Gin.   Soon after, another rig pulls in and parks close by.   This was Max and Anabel with had met Tom and Gin earlier at another camping ground.   We all got along famously.   Had a most welcome dip in the pool.   Then sitting having a drink after dinner we saw fruit bats overhead leaving for a night’s foraging.

Max, amongst other things was a ladies hairdresser, so he put a coloured rinse through Gin’s hair and cut mine!!!    Flippin’ good job he made of both, too.   Max and Anabel spend half the year in their sooper dooper motorhome and the other hald on their boat – what a life.   Anyway, Max is interested in ropework so he and Jeff had a session with Jeff teaching him several knots.

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TUESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

Left Mt Isa and headed for Cammoweal just before the border between Queensland and Northern Territory.   Whilst trying to find out what there was to see there I found out that it was not permitted to transport fruit and veges across the border.    We had apples, bananas and mandarins, plus a fridge full of salad stuff.   I knew that there were strict quarantine areas down south, but as there had been nothing on the border between NSW and Queensland I wasn’t expecting restrictions here.    Anyway, we stuffed fruit from Cammoweal to the border (nowt to see in Cammoweal) and had a big salad lunch right on the border.   I couldn’t eat all mine so I just wrapped the plate in a plastic bag and stuck it in the fridge.    We crossed the border – no quarantine station.   We then approached A     along the Barkly Highway.   There, by a carpark and rest area, were two policeymen waving us to stop!!!    “Good afternoon, sir.   Would you mind blowing into this breathaliser?”   “Certainly” says Jeff.   And of course it shows up green – inspite of yesterday evening’s little drinkeypoos.    “Could I see your Driving Licence, sir?”    “Certainly” says Jeff, and starts leafing through the cards in his card holder apologising because he can’t find it straightaway.   “That’s OK, Jeff” says the copper, who had been watching the cards as Jeff was searching.   He eventually finds it and hands it over, completely flummoxed as to how the cop knew his name.   “Ah, we’re very observant” says the cop with a grin.   I reckon he was routinely checking to make sure that all the cards carried the same name.    We then asked about the fruit and veg regulations.   “Oh that’s OK it really only applies to boxed fruit and veg, not the odd bits that the like of us would have in our campers!!!!   Dhuh – why couldn’t they have said that in the book.

So we merrily went on our way and I amused meself trying to photograph roadtrains as they came towards us.   Some were actually successful.   Loads more termite mounds, some really big ‘uns.

Arrived at the Barkly Homestead Roadhouse and who should come strolling across but Tony, from our stay at Kynuna.   So we had dinner with them and spent a very pleasant evening in their company.   We were talking about guidebooks and the different ways they presented information about places, and Heather asked me if we would like a book that they didn’t find particularly useful but perhaps we would.   It’s ‘Around Australia – The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Trip’ and it’s PERFECT.   Talk about one man’s meat being another man’s poison!!  It’s just right – telling us what is to be seen along each of the hundreds of different highways around Oz.   Heather said that we could post it back when we’d finished out trip, or just keep it.

WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

Left Barkly Roadhouse at 8:30 after refuelling.    A few miles along the road Jeff saw a flock of budgies – I had me nose buried in our new book looking for stuff to see, so I missed ‘em.

We reached the end of the Barkly Highway and turned right towards Darwin.    Jeff decided to refuel and pulled in to the Three Ways Filling Station.   Sitting there were Heather and Tony.   They had waited (well the dogs needed a pee break) to say goodbye, as they were now heading south towards Alice Springs, while we were going north to Darwin and Kakadu.

Overnight at Dunmarra Wayside Inn and Caravan Park.   When we pulled in to a shady spot a guy whose motorhome was already there said something about no privacy – I just took it that he meant that the pitches were a bit small, but Jeff reckoned that he was being snotty – so we just turned Betty round so that we didn’t impinge on his privacy – what a pair of miseries.   He was actually taking up half of a 4-space pitch – we was good little bunnies and only took up our rightful space.   The majority of people we have met on sites have been so nice, but obviously you do get the odd ones you can do without!

THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

Left Dunmarra at 7:39am.   Called in at the Daley Waters pub about an hour up the road – oh we wished we’d stayed at the nearby caravan park – it looked a lot of fun.    Had damper toast for a mid-morning snack – yum.

Booked in at the Mataranka Homestead Caravan Park and then had a swim in the ‘Thermal’ pool.    Lovely and refreshing – a short walk through trees covered in roosting fruit bats – no, we didn’t get bombed, the walkway was covered.   Met a great couple, Marcia and Derek and had dinner with them in the restaurant.   There was a lady who obviously worked there who walked through with a baby roo (or wallaby) and I asked if I could have a look.   She said that she would be back in a while and I could see it then.   About half an hour later she walked by and plonked the baby in my lap and said “look after it for me for a minute”.   Oh boy – it was the cutest little thing you ever did see – rather skinny but very curious.   After about 15 minutes a young lad who had also been sitting in the bar/restaurant came over, reclaimed it and said that it was time for the baby’s feed and sat back at his table and fed it with a bottle.   He said that it was a road-kill orphan and they had only had it for 3 or 4 days.    I hope the little one makes it.

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FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

Finally left Mataranka at 9:20 after another dip in the pool – couldn’t resist it.   Stopped in Katherine for fuel, money and shopping and then headed along the Kakadu Highway to Cooinda in the Kakadu National Park.   Big termite mounds, lotsa rocks – fascinating drive but very hot, not so much roadkill (thank goodness) although we did see what appeared to be a rather large bullock or buffalo by the side of the road with it’s feet in the air – very ded.   On arrival at Cooinda parked in our little space, set things up and got straight into the pool to cool down, the mozzies were having a field day – the buggers don’t seem to be interested in Jeff, just moi and I got really cranky because I was soooo hot and itchy.   The resort here is a biot of a rip-off – $40 a night for a powered site, but I guess it’s to be expected in such a touristy area.

SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

Left Cooinda and carried on to Jabiru and then out again – not much to see there.   Saw a sign for Ubirr which I had read something about so we turned off the highway.  Some 46km later we arrived at a carpark with signs pointing to the Rock Paintings.   Oh, were they worth the drive – dozens of figures on flat rock faces, pictures that are believed to be thousands of years old.   Jeff then walked up to a viewing place overlooking the Arnhem Tableland – I only went halfway, the heat was getting to me again!!   While I was waiting for Jeff to come back down, a lady stopped briefly saying that there were some crocs at a nearby crossing and they were heading off to see them.   Whe Jeff finally returned I told him this and when we got back to Betty we followed the signs for the Cahill Crossing.   We walked down the boatramp and there basking on a sandbank across the river was a dirty great crocodiddle, and several others cruising up and down.   A bit further upstream we could see the actual crossing (and vehicles going backwards and forwards across it) so we thought we’d have a look there too.    We found a lookout with a good view of the crossing and more of the river and more crocs, including a real big ‘un – must’ve been at least 4 metres long!

Overnight at the Aurora Kakdu Resort – not a bad site, grassy, a lot of foreigners, nice pool – lots of mozzies going after Jeff this time – he counted over 20 bites on one leg the following morning<BG>

SUNDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

Left at 7:45 and stopped at the Adelaide River and went on a 1 hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise.   Got some fantastic shots of the crocs jumping for pieces meat suspended from a pole.   Very enjoyable and reasonably priced at $25 each.

We then headed on up to Darwin, but as it was Sunday, not much was going on so we just had a lovely Barramundi Fish and Chips meal at the Fisherman’s Wharf and carried on back down the Stuart Highway and stopped at Coolalinga Campsite – nice site, great pool – did lotsa washing!!

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