Blog 14 - 12th to 22nd July 2013

Friday 12th July - After doing all of our shopping, we stopped at Krys the Crocodile in Normanton for a few photos,

 

and then headed for Karumba on the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. This was another 73km's along the road, and the scenery was very bland, with flat barren plains. Had a quick look at the beach and boat ramp,

before lunch at Ash's for barra and chips for me and a barra burger for Di. Back to Normanton for fuel and a new tyre, then the plan was to make it part of the way to Burketown for the night. Stopped at Burke and Wills camp 119 and read the info, and then continued to Leichhardt Falls, arriving in camp very late just before dark at 6.15pm. Had a quick walk, then dinner, where we were welcomed to a group fire already going.

Saturday - had another look around the falls and the lagoons,

 

packed up again, and then drove to Burketown. Not much happening here, so after filling the water tanks, we continued on to Gregory Downs, stopping at the pub for a drink - as you do!!! Some people had told us about a great campsite 10km's down the road beside the river, so we decided to have a look. What a great place this was - camped about 10 metres from the water, and no-one else around. Gave the camper and car a much needed wash, and then went in for a swim before dinner.

 

Absolutely beautiful, and no crocs.

Sunday - decided it was too nice to leave, so spent another day relaxing by the river. Did some washing after breakfast, using our washing barrel and the water from the river. Then went for a walk along the river downstream for about 500 metres, before coming back for a swim. Di did a great painting of the river, while I collected wood for the nights roast dinner in the camp oven - yum.

Monday - packed and then went for another swim, before heading SE towards Burke and Wills roadhouse, where we had an early lunch of hot chips - the simple pleasures. Then continued along the 1 lane bitumen road, passing several road trains before arriving in Julia Creek. Wondered where Amy and James were, so gave them a call - they were calling us at the exact same time to tell us they were in the exact same town. Met them at the info centre, booked into the caravan park, and then went for a swim in the local pool next door. It was really nice to share some stories with them.

Tuesday - after Amy and James left, we went into town to the info centre and saw the Julia Creek Dunnart - a small rat-like critter that was thought extinct until recently.Then got a haircut - badly needed - before departing for Cloncurry further west. Stopped in at Chinaman's Dam for lunch,

and then back into town for 2 nights right beside the highway - road trains are VERY noisy at night as they travel through town.

Wednesday - spent the day looking around Cloncurry,

starting at the info centre and Mary Kathleen centre. A uranium mine was created at a place they called Mary Kathleen, but it has since closed with very little remaining - some has been moved into Cloncurry. Then to the John Flynn Place, who founded the RFDS in Cloncurry back in the 1920's. Check your $20 note and you will see him. Had lunch at the bakery, before visiting the art gallery. Went to Happy Hour at the caravan park, and then joined the footy fans to watch the SOO3 - another loss for NSW, and QLD win 8 series in a row - bloody canetoads!!!!

Thursday - we were planning to go to Mt Isa, but changed plans to instead head to Boulia via Duchess and Dajarra. It was about 330km's out of the way, but the camel races were on, and we were not going to miss that. Got to camp mid-afternoon, and set-up camp next to some lovely fellow travellers for the weekend. Sat around the fire into the evening. The weather had changed a bit, with it becoming windy - so that also made it very dusty, and a lot colder than we were used to over the last few weeks.

Friday - after a lazy morning, we went into town to play tourist, visiting the Min Min Encounter, all about the Min Min lights that follow travellers at night - no explanations as to what causes it, but many theories. Then a short walk to the museum, followed by a bit of shopping before lunch and a lazy afternoon spent chatting. Decided to go back into town that night for the barn dance and dinner - dinner was horrible, but the dance was great fun - lots of money raised for the RFDS.

Saturday - camel race day.

 

What a fun day out, with people from all walks of life joining in the activities. A couple of bookies taking bets, some kids events between races, with the late afternoon event being the camel tagging. Here you could nominate and pay your $20 entry fee. You then started in a small ring with a young scared camel. The clock starts, you grab a piece of gaffer tape, try to stick this to the camel without getting kicked (look very closely below),

run back to the start, and then go back to the camel and try to get the tape off without getting kicked again, and then back to the start - the quickest wins some cash. Absolutely nuts, but a lot of fun for the spectators. Quickest was 22 seconds, with several competitors getting some serious bruises. Got to be crazy. After dinner back at camp, we went back to the race track where the band played well into the evening, and the bar was very busy. Again it was cold and dusty, with some people kicking up dust while dancing. A great day.

Sunday - woke up a little bit slow today, but another day of camel racing so off to the race track we went. Some more races, with the Boulia Cup being run over 1500 metres - this is the equivalent of the Melbourne Cup but for camels. Then they had some wood chopping events, but you could have a go. Decided that I should give it a go, so teamed up with another guy John for the teams event.

We came a reasonable 4th and it was damn hard work.

Another night around the fire sharing stories and wine.

Monday - drove back north 300km's, arriving in Mt Isa at lunch time. Did some shopping and re-stocked the pantry. Then went out again to re-stock the liquor cabinet. It was still quite cold, so we retired to the camper early to type this in bed where it was warmer.

More to come in a week or so.

Di and Hammo