Here we are in Longreach at the end of Day 4. (For our overseas friends Longreach is pretty close to the middle of Queensland, about 1200 kms from Brisbane with a pop of 3000. It is also the home of Qantas and the Stockmans Hall of Fame).
We left Maleny 4 days ago in pouring rain and drove all day in the rain. We were heading for Cania Gorge just north of Monto - a lovely spot where we have stayed before. Thankfully the rain stopped just before arriving there so we were able to set up camp without getting wet. Photo shows our set up and we were very happy to enjoy a cup of tea.
Since then we have had good sunny weather so have been able to cover a fair bit of territory. Night 2 we spent in Alpha and as it was State of Origin Night thought it might be fun to watch it in the local pub. Alpha's pop is only about 900 and I think 870 of them were at home. Still we had fun, even more so when Queensland won. (State of Origin is a series of 3 rugby league games held each year between NSW and Qld). Enjoyed morning tea the following day in Barcaldine - a fund-raising event in the main street to support the local cancer fund, and saw the Tree of Knowledge at the same time. And now Longreach. Spent the morning at the Qantas museum (photo of me inside the 747 engine) and this afternoon went on a trip on a Cobb and Co coach with 4 horses galloping through the bush. I was sitting in the front seat in between the driver and his son, Jim at the rear on the top. Everything went well until the horses started galloping and a kangaroo hopped out of the long grass - horses were not happy and nor was Rosemary!! Anyway we arrived back in one piece. Tomorrow we go to the Stockmans Hall of Fame and a cruise in a paddlewheeler on the Thomson River at sunset. Then on to Mt Isa where we will replenish food etc. and probably do some washing as well. Hope everyone well - we miss you.
