The Boulia camel races that weren't

As we drove toward Boulia the radio assured us the races were going ahead, but there was a lot more rain overnight than they expected and the track and camping area were rather soggy. Mum had even brought out her best hat for the occasion, but the races were still cancelled. They did manage to find a dry corner of the arena for the camel tagging though. Competitors have to put a piece of tape on a camel, run back to the fence, then retrieve the tape. Sounds easy - fastest one wins... oh, camels can apparently kick in any direction, and it certainly seemed that way to us.

Outback travel - after rain

Just as we arrived in Birdsville it started to sprinkle with rain. Everyone said there wasn't much in it and that it probably wouldn't affect the roads. We were going to leave Big Red until the following day, but the sky was looking a bit lighter out to the west, so we decided to go that afternoon. On the way out the rain stopped, and on the way back it started drizzling again. Turns out it was good we went that day as the road out there was closed the next day. The road north was also closed in the morning, so we had a leisurely few hours to sort out a slow draining fuel filter, wander around the town and sample the pies at the bakery. Once on the road we were treated to some blue sky and classic outback scenery.

Although the road was open it was 4WD only and there were some slippery patches of sandy mud where there had been water over the road. At one point we stopped to talk to a vehicle coming the other direction to check on the road ahead and he noticed Dad's van had a flat tyre. A great opportunity for Dazz to use his new 6 tonne jack!

Birdsville

We went out to Big Red in Dad's car. It was our first time driving in sand, and even though it was damp we decided against driving up the dune itself. Some of the smaller ones getting in were enough of a challenge, and we didn't want the Simpson Desert recovery vehicle to have to come and get us. The climb to the top wasn't too long, and we were able to see why the normal road was closed!

Setting off on our big Central Australia Adventure

We were on our way home from the Gem Fields - a mere two hours from home - when there was an odd noise. Something like a rock hitting under the chassis, but there were no rocks on the road. We stopped shortly after at the rest area in Warra and Dazz had a look under and around - we have a problem. Quite a large problem, actually. Snapped bolts on the tow bar.

Now, we've been there, done that. Which is why we have a new car. A new tough car. Surely not. But yes, we snapped bolts.

A few phone calls later and Dad was on his way out to pick up the van and me. Dazz raced back into town to try to get the towbar looked at that afternoon. Of course, we were planning on a quick turn around and leaving on our central Australia trip with Mum & Dad the next day. To make a long story short the Hayman Reese guys was completely mystified and the only thing that anyone could come up with was a low speed bottoming out on the tow hitch (months before) had weakened something. We hadn't been happy with how low the tow hitch hung (because of the weight distribution bar arrangement), so after a bit of research and measuring with the old hitch on (no distribution bars) we decided to give it a go. About 1800kms on and we're happy with the handling, and extremely happy with the extra clearance we now have under the hitch. So, only 24 hours behind schedule, we left on our big Central Australia Adventure.


Our first stop was Dulacca, and it was cooold. Well below zero and ice on the window frame above our bed.

The next few days involve a lot of driving as we headed west, trying to catch up on our lost day. We were hoping to get to Cooper's Creek, just east of Windorah in time to put the kayaks in one afternoon, but our lunch stop on Kyabra Creek was too good to resist - warm midday sun and a stack of birds.

We did get to Cooper's Creek that afternoon and set up camp on the river bank.

Our next overnight stop was about halfway between Windorah and Birdsville, on the side of the road. As we went further west the sand dunes began, all covered in foliage.

Our annual family holiday to the Field of Gems

After a few weeks of long hours marking assignments we were ready for the annual holiday with Dazz's brother and family. Their neighbours came again this year, after missing last year's trip. We brought my nephew too. Once again there has been some great campfire cooking (three camp ovens going at once on a few occasions) including olive bread and cakes, roast chickens and of sweet potatoes in the coals.

The kids started off the week as the most successful fossickers, but Uncle Dazza trumped them all with another big one. We can only see through part of it, though, so we're not sure how good it really is. Off to the gem cutter tomorrow to find out...















The great thing about the gem fields is that you never know what wildlife you might come across (and I'm not just talking about the people at the markets, either).

Long drives and short walks

After a few days visiting people in Melbourne we were heading north again. Destination: Moree hot pools, before our next lot of marking was due. We mostly drove, but did take a few short strolls to stretch the legs in some of the places we passed through.


Bendigo

Echuca

The Hay Plains

Lake Cargelligo









Condobolin












The hot pools in Moree lived up to all our expectations!












Dazz and a mate have been tossing around how to take chooks on the road... we might just have found the solution...