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Published: October 8th 2007
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Another evening meal.
We have managed to cook up some pretty scrumptious meals on our travels. Blackall to Rockhampton via Longreach.
We left Blackall with regret as it was a lovely country town and we were going to miss those leisurely afternoon swims, however this is a trip and would not be if we stayed in one place for 3 months then went home !!!!! Heading for Longreach we passed through Isisford as we had been told it was well worth visiting - do not agree unless they had hidden the nice bits when we were in town. Never mind, on to Ilfracombe and for those Poms among us it is a far cry from the Ilfracombe we know in Devon, however it was really quaint and boasts 1km of machinery lining the Matilda Highway which pases through it. There was agricultural, road building, vehicles - you name it - it was there. We arrived in Longreach in 36 degrees and by the time we had set up camp we were gasping for a cool drink. Had a nice BBQ for tea then watched "Dancing with the Stars" on TV under the stars. A typical balmy warm Queensland night.
Visited the famous Stockmans Hall of Fame, which follows the history of outback Australia from discovery, through settlement
Wow - what colour !!
This is an example of some of the wonderful flowering trees we have seen in Queensland. to the present day. Watched a show with a stockman on horseback with his mules, sheep dogs and sheep do a demonstration. All very authentic beside the billabong with the ducks gliding by and the windmill turning in the breeze pumping up ground water to feed the billabong. We all enjoyed a typical camp roast meal under the stars and were entertained by an old stockman turned bush poet.
Our next stop was Emerald which although is named after the Emerald Downs which surround the town, actually boasts some of the best gem fields in the world. At the town of Sapphire we enjoyed coffee, panned for sapphires and found a few (sadly nothing to get excited about) and as our 40th wedding anniversary is looming Trevor bought me a gold and sapphire ring. I think his gift from me will be yet another guitar (he says he is making a collection) but unfortunately that will have to wait until we get back home as there is not room for another thing in the caravan.
The gemfrields are facinating - like going back in time. The towns of Sapphire, Rubyvale and Anakie are just mounds of dirt which has been
Bush Poet.
We experienced a real bit of Outback Australia in Longreach with wonderful bush tucker then entertained by an old stockman turned bush poet. discarded after fossicking, little derricks for bringing the soil up from under the ground, and little hovels where the folk live. They all have such a bad case of gem fever they don't have time for little things, like keeping their places tidy. It was a real experience.
We are now in Gracemere which is 11km from Rockhampton, Queensland. Yesterday we passed through some beautiful mountainous countryside with huge nets holding the rocks back from falling into the road. Now there are signs of more water with deep dry gullies which have been cut by cascading rain, the dry creekbeds now have a little water in them and there are occasional billabongs to be seen.
For miles we followed and were followed by a huge train taking coal from the mines at Blackwater down to the power station that supplied Rockhampton and surrounding areas. Although it is very hard to count when you are both on the move I actually counted 84 coal carrying carriages.
One of the things Australians seem to enjoy is to adorn their loo's with murals, I will add some as we go along. All are real works of art and make a very mundane function
Relaxing.
Panning for sapphires is a tiring business. into an axciting experience. !!!!!!!
Our old dog Bazil is enjoying every moment. He does get a little pannicky when we break camp and gets into the car early to make sure he is not left behind - as if. Our friends Pat and John are travelling with their two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, (Freckles and Buddy) and all are great friends and entertain us in the evenings with their antics. Bazil behaves like a puppy again.
All for now, more later. Take care all.
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nec2007
the bennetts
Hi from us!
You all seem to be having a fantastic time on your great adventure. CJ is really enjoying the mail and says thank you. Look forward to the next instalment! lots of love from El, Nic and CJ xx