Longreach Day 2

Had a leasurely start to the day and wandered off to the Hall of Fame, turned out that we are a month early for the live shows etc so it was just the museum which was very well done. It makes you realise how hard the early settlers had it. Matter of fact it is still damn hard for the current longreach folk. Quite a slow day getting ready to depart for WINTON first thing in the morning. We saved our energy for the night life of Longreach on a Friday night. We sta in the Bistro of what we thought was the happening pub, we sat by ourselves. I went for a wander through the pub after dinner and there was 1 other person besides us. We went outside and stood in the middle of the main street and had a chat so here we are at 8.15 watching the football and deciding what we are going to do tomorrow.

Longreach Day 1

We are starting to get used to this nomadic life, went for a 5 klm walk this morning to get an idea of the town, we covered it all. Today we decided to have a look at the Qantas museum and it was very interesting, well worth a look next time you are in town. We were expecting to be there a couple of hours and spent most of the day. It looks like we are slightly ahead of the tourist season with some things not being open but on the positive side there are no crowds. We are staying in the Discovery Caravan park which is huge but you could fire a cannon and not hit a sole. It is now 6.40 and it is still broad daylight. We are struggling with the bugs however, you should see these bugs they are "Gudgy" bugs and they are everywhere. Tomorrow we are off to the "Hall of Fame" we are told that you will spend a day there so we are staying an extra night in Longreach, going to the pub as there is a big night on and will leave for Winton on Saturday.

Trip from Emerald to Longreach

Well I would say that we are seeing the country in it's finest clothing, it is absolutely beautiful. The contrast in colours from the lush green of the trees and grasses to the starkness of the burnt black tree trunks. We landed in Longreach late afternoon after having lunch and a look around in Jericho. I learnt all about the Israelites blowing their trumpets but I never found out if they managed to blow the walls down. Off to the tree of knowledge and you may notice that I am writing with much more passion and knowledge or is that the beers I have been drinking? Bloody tree, 8 Million dollars to build a memorial, I thought that Barcaldine originally had 36 pubs was a greater feat. It appeared that the angry shearers had a field day burning down all and sundry. Now just to sit back and enjoy the peace and serenity of the Discovery caravan park with a few beers. We are here for 2 days and will have a good look around.

Saphire and Rubyvale

Well the decision was made, we stay another night and go fossicking to make our fortune. Had lunch at the Saphire pub a bit of fun... Went on a mine tour 15 metres underground - very interesting were led by the just as interesting Fran. Went fossicking and Trice found a nice 'little' red zircon, quite a deep blood red stone.   GREAT NEWS.... air conditioning is fixed. Off to Longreach in the morning should be there just after lunch.

Emerald

The free stay camp ground we were going to stay at was under water, so a change of plans and we are now staying at the Emerald Cabin & Caravan Park. Very pleasant. Today, 9.3.10 is a beautiful day, sun is shining.  Mike has put the car in to have the aircon fixed  lets hope they do fix it as we are heading off to Longreach at lunchtime although we may head out to the opal fields instead and stay an extra night.... decisions decisions....

Our First day

Well we left at 10.00am as planned had a great send off by our kids and friends and headed over the the dark side 'Nundah' to rendevoux with our travelling partners. We got going again with the friends by 11.30 and we hit the road. Rain Rain and more bloody rain......

Got to Gin Gin and am now parked in the local show ground and it is bucketing down again. Tomorrow could be an interesting day as we head up through Rockhampton and out through Emerald on our way to Longreach, the air conditioning of the car packed it in today so it could be a little warm.

First photo leaving second is set up ready for a beer.

Getting Closer

Well tonight while Trice was out I found the clippers and attacked my head - she was not happy...