The problem with not writing every day, or at least regularly, is that time wizzes by and then there’s a stack to catch up on.
I headed off around 8am on Tuesday 9 August with a roughly mapped out itinerary to Edith Falls where I’ll meet up with Kirsty on 28 August. Naturally my first stop was for morning tea at the much celebrated bakery at Blackbutt and the vanilla slice/beesting did not disappoint. Thanks for the tip Gen.
Was meant to spend the first night in Miles but the campsite beside the river there was home to a mob of huts and large machinery for working on the road. So, I moseyed on to a place that sounded interesting on Wikicamps. What a find. Judd’s Lagoon just out of Yulebar. Nothing there but a drop toot and a garbage bin but it’s so peaceful and beside a lovely lagoon just chockers with bird life. Definitely a spot to return to.
It was a super chilly night and in the morning the mist was rising from the lagoon and a sole pelican was happily swimming along enjoying the early morning peace. Spot the pelican?
Had a night at Augathella, meat ant country,
and then on to Lara Wetlands.
That’s me on the other side along with half the population of Australia.
Along the way I noticed an occasional “clunk” towards the back wheel which bothered me a bit so I took Mitsy in to the mechanic in Barcaldine.
Had coffee while waiting.
Then back to collect Mitsy. Nice chap, said it’s only your spare tyre cage has come a bit loose, which he tightened up, took $50 from me and sent me on my way. I was thrilled. Such a simple fix, nothing to worry about.
Not twenty minutes from Barky, the dreaded “clunk” started up again and banged and thumped all the way to Winton. By this time I’m seriously concerned. As I had arrived at 4pm on Friday, there was nothing to do but wait for Monday to see someone about it. I couldn’t get into the park in town that I usually go to and had to head out on the outskirts to a new park. Told the proprietor my tale of woe and he suggested I get on to a welder cos the tyre cage obviously needed more than just tightening. Gave me a number to ring. Josh, the welder, was out on a property but would see me about 4.30 Monday arvo.
I managed to get into the town park (opposite the Tattersalls Hotel (very handy, yeah?) on Monday morning and waited for Josh. He actually came as promised. Took me outback on some big corrugations, could hear the clunk clunk, got under the car, just couldn’t work it out. He knew the mechanic in town (who had a sign on his door clearly stating he’d not be seeing anyone new for a week) but managed to get me in at 8am the next day. What a darling!
I spoke with a guy in the yard of the mechanics, who had been in wonderful Winton for nearly 4 weeks, waiting on parts!!! Well, as you can imagine, I’m getting pretty worried by this stage. I’d thoroughly done the ‘sights’ of Winton (in ten minutes) and I had to meet up with Kirsty on 28/08. All this stress and strain called for a wine with dinner so I took the bottle, I’d brought from home, out from the wheel well and calmed my nerves.
The mechanic was just over the road so got Mitsy there before 8am on Monday and was sent off for a walk while he looked at her.
Gotta love the garbage bins in town
Two and a half hours later, went back. Mechanic said he’d taken her over bumps and corrugations but no clunk. He put her up on the hoist but couldn’t see a thing wrong. “Sorry love but you head off and if something happens ring me and I’ll come out.”
Well, I’m not feeling too confident but off I go to Cloncurry. And, what do you know? Not a clunk!!! Purring like a kitten.
Now, I’ll give you a minute to join the dots……….yep, that’s right, you got it. No, don’t say anything. (You bloody idiot Lynne!). No, shush, I said don’t say anything. You’re cruel!! Could have happened to anyone.
That bottle of wine in the wheel well cost me over $200 – not to mention all the worry. 🤭
To make matters worse, I really wanted to go to the dark sky observatory in Winton. Have been trying to get there the last couple of years. Wouldn’t you know it? Even though I spent 4 days in Winton? Only open Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sheesh!
But, ever onwards. The drive to Cloncurry was truly special (and, yes, clunk free). Lots of wildflowers
and hundreds of flocks of budgies. Really beautiful. However, when I pulled in to the Curry, I found one had come along for the ride
Poor little darling. I felt awful! Sad thing is that I’m pretty sure I left a few more on the road.
On then to one of my favourite spots, the billabong west of Camooweal. There’s something about it that’s so peaceful plus the birdlife is prolific.
However, because people feed them, the brolgas can be quite aggressive and this male hissed and jumped at me when I wouldn’t share my Vegemite toast.
I had intended to stay there today but got up to an almighty wind that turned this beautiful place into an unbearable dustbowl. Packed up and took off to Barkley Homestead where I’m now enjoying happy hour $5 wine and am about to have dinner.
