Outback Queensland Dino Dig - Day 7

Up early and enjoyed eggs and bacon for breakfast. I introduced myself to my neighbours Allan and Marion who are also going on the dino dig. After a bit of chat they invited me to come with them on a drive. So instead of spending the day typing and blogging I had a fabulous drive with them.

We went out on the Boulia road and turned south west onto the Cork Mail Road. The scenery was quite stunning, sometimes completely flat and at others there were beautiful creek crossings and fantastic panoramas. There were hundreds of kangaroos in the shade under trees but I only saw two emus.

We had a creek crossing morning tea amongst River Red Gums and Mulga. There was a really deep dry waterhole where the creek obviously surges through in the wet.

The Triodia had recently finished fruiting and looked magnificent in some areas.

We got back to town just in time to get the last three pea pies at the baker before they shut. Then Allan needed to refuel and I found a pair of large sunglasses that actually fit over my own glasses. At least the glare won't be so fierce now for my week in the paddock.

Back to the motel to spruce up before the time comes to walk the two blocks to dinner and the 'meet and greet' session at the Winton Club. I also had time to do all my blogging homework, even the patchwork one.

Outback Queensland Dino Dig - Day 6

This morning I finished off my yoghurt and raspberries for breakfast then sorted and packed ready for my bus trip to Winton.

Whilst waiting for the bus a passerby suggested I sit in the shade for a bit as it is often known to be an hour late. In fact it was only half an hour late and the trip was great as I had a front seat (there were only 4 passengers anyway). The truckies and even caravaners were most polite radioing in to coordinate to allow the bus to pass. I saw emus and hundreds of roadkill animals - mostly kangaroos.

Into Winton about 1/2 hour early - don't ask me how because we were not speeding! I had a quick lunch at the bakery then walked the block down to the motel and settled in with a load of washing.

It was then that I realised I had not brought my fitover sunglasses (which I always throw in but never use) but did bring a spare pair of glasses (which were not even my transition ones). Everything was shut in town so it looks as though I'll be squinting for the week! Oh well!

I walked back to town to check out places for dinner and times of church (none this week). Back to the motel and the washing was dry just on the clothesline in about an hour. Yes, it is hot! and a dry wind.

There are three brolga who come in to be fed and it was fascinating watching them and the Spinifex Doves on the front lawn.

At 4:30 I walked up to the North Gregory Hotel, of Waltzing Matilda fame, to find that the entertainment was by Greg North (from my bus trip up here last month) and Ben's chicken race. Both were great and filled the gap before dinner in the art deco dining room at the hotel.

Back to the motel for a it of TV before bed.

Outback Queensland Dino Dig - Day 5

Friday August 11 - Longreach

A slow morning then back to the Station Store for morning tea. I met Ken and Donna in ther so we chatted together over morning tea about our plans for the day.

I did a bit more shopping for things like a shoe horn and a compact mirror and a few gifts.

Back to the station store for lunch. After lunch I walked to the Powerhouse Museum and sat in the shade until it opened. This museum had a huge shed full of the power generation plant for early electricity in the area. But it also had rooms of memorabilia and a cottage that had been moved in from Nogo Station. The cottage was really interesting - a two-roomed cottage with verandah all around but closed in on two sides to create the kid's room, kitchen and bathroom. It was amazing to see all the bits and bobs, many familiar from my childhood or from Underhill.

My next stop was to the Arts and Crafts Gallery. This had works by local people and even had some lovely patchwork.

By then it was 3pm andI was hot so I walked the 1.5km back to the motel and relaxed and cooled down, eventually enjoying the leftovers of last night's dinner to finish the day.

Outback Queensland Dino Dig - Day 4

Thursday 10 August - Longreach

I had the luxury of sleeping in until 7am today after a very cold night. Breakfast in my room (waffles) then time to think about activities for the day.

After the longish walk to town my first stop was a hairdresser who could fit me in for a cut. I now feel much tidier and it is a nicer cut than I get at home. What a pity I can't get back easily!

Then I trolled the shops to find comfy jeans. I found a pair and hope that if they are good I can get them online or at home.

I found a leaflet about one and two day flights over Lake Eyre - how fantastic that would be but I think it might just be too hard to cram it in and I've already paid for accommodation here.

After window shopping and actually going into lots of shops (unusual for me) I had lunch at a cafe. In my wanderings I noticed the Landmark shop and asked about some plant posters by Landcare that I'd seen in Winton on my previous trip. They rang around and suggested I visit Desert Connections Resource Centre who in turn suggested the agronomist at DPI (now called DAF - Dept. of Agriculture and Fisheries) who had written books on plants for the area. This meant I had to ring the taxi (the lovely Judy I'd had from the train) who took me the 4.5 km out of town to the DAF office. The ladies there were most helpful. I'd just missed Jenny (the agronomist) by about 10 minutes as she had flown out today but I was able to buy one of her books.

Another call to Judy and I returned to the motel to sit for a while and drop my shopping before I walked to town again to the IGA to buy some cheese, crackers, fruit and yoghurt for dinner and breakfast.

The evening (after almost 13000 steps and two taxi rides) was spent blogging and sorting photos. I spent some time reading up on what I can do tomorrow.

After my yummy dinner I watched a bit of TV and did two 'killer sudoku' before bed.

Outback Queensland Dino Dig - Day 3

Wednesday 9 August - Rockhampton-Longreach

After a semi disturbed night of rattling and shunting then reversing out of Rockhampton at 5am we headed west and I woke properly around 6am as per normal. I dressed and went along for a coffee in the lounge and watched a beautiful dawn, 5 brolga flying over, a bustard on the edge of a crop paddock and later a large number of kangaroos, whilst sipping a latte and chatting to a man from Toowoomba.

Breakfast was pleasant and of course way too much. We had lots of stops along the way to wait for coal trains to pass. While we were at one halt we watched a tiny grass wren feeding in the long grass just beside the train.

After breakfast we passed the beautiful bluffs of the Blackdown Tablelands and hundreds of Caper White butterflies started flitting in the warmth of the morning sun.

Onward ever onward following the Tropic of Capricorn west. We stopped for about 10 minutes at Emerald and were allowed to stretch our legs on firm ground breathing in some fresh air - a pleasant relief.

After Emerald we lost the coal trains and were flanked by huge leveled paddocks of irrigated crops with water in the channels.

At lunch I sat with Bev and Ken. I enjoyed my succulent Barramundi. Then there was the slow bendy ride through the Drummond Ranges. The rocks which had fallen from the hillsides were almost exactly half meter cubes naturally formed.

After the ranges came the flat 360 degree horizon vistas of the outback with just occasional blips on the far horizon of a distant range. We also started seeing termite mounds. I rang the motel when we stopped at Alpha to check all was well with my booking and let them know we would be arriving late.

As the sun got lower in the sky towards Barcaldine the number of kangaroos increased to hundreds. Two Red Winged Parrots flew away from the train with their wing colours intense in the sinking sunlight.

High Tea after Barcaldine was just the amount of food I needed and it was great to watch the red glow on the horizon deepen as we rattled along at a great pace towards Ilfracombe then Longreach. We arrived an hour late and I caught a cab with Donna to our motel, Abajaz, which was just a bit far for a walk with a large bag in the dark. I was absolutely exhaused after our 26 hour journey so just collapsed into bed.

Outback Queensland Dino Dig - Day 2

Tuesday 8 August - Brisbane-Rockhampton

I woke at 6am as usual so had time to chat with Rachel before she left for work then settled into the lounge with a cuppa and watched a bit of TV until Barbara woke and we had breakfast together.

After a bit of  "justing" we drove up to Jolly's Lookout to assess its wheelchair access. It was really cold and blustery so I was glad I had my parka with me. We had a quick walk around and decided to return home down the hill and have our picnic lunch in the warm, still dining room.

We then left for Roma St Station where we found our way to Platform 10 and checked in my booked luggage.

As the Roma St Parkland was just next to the station we decided to spend the afternoon wandering its many paths. It is a really stunning park with lots of formal plantings, specimen plants without names and sweeping lawns. There are also lots of good sized water dragons sunning themselves.

We stopped for an ice cream and when we had walked enough we made our way to the station and chatted there.

Barbara left for home and I sat and finished my book then waited some more until my train (The Spirit of the Outback) arrived (a bit late), loaded provisions and then allowed passengers to board.

My dinner sitting was at 7pm and I sat with Joy and Barry (on holiday to Longreach) and Susan who was travelling out to her gemstone claim at Anakie past Emerald.

Back to my cabin to have my bed made up and collapsing.