Day 52 - Augathella

We had a big day driving today. Stopped in Longreach for a coffee and then in Barcaldine for fuel and some lunch and arrived in Augathella at about 4.30.   As the caravan park is not listed in our book and therefore doesnt have a rating, we were expecting it to be very substandard.  Quite the opposite - it is quite big, we are camped on grass and the amenities are new and clean, and moreover the showers are hot!  We really pushed ourselves today as we are within sight of home now.  We will try to get back to Maleny tomorrow even if it is after dark - the thought of a soak in a hot bath is very appealing as is our ensuite bathroom.  Will see how we go.  Now that we are nearing civilisation there are many more roadtrains and caravans on the road, all of which need passing.  And it is also very cold overnight - 2 degrees this morning here in Augathella.   Oh yes - we were listening to an interview on the ABC on the radio this morning of a lady who has a business called Tambo Teddies.  She and 2 friends started it 17 years ago when this area was gripped in drought and wool prices down so they made some teddies out of sheepskin.  They are now the largest employer in Tambo (population 400) and have made 33,000 teddies - all with a name and all numbered.  So when we passed through Tambo this afternoon, we called in and have bought a delightful teddy called Pedro for Jim to take to Canada for his new granddaughter,Camilla.