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Published: October 27th 2012
Well would you believe it! We arrived at Carnarvon National Park today and decided to do several short walks before we undertake the 14km hike tomorrow. First short walk was to some aboriginal rock painting but was only prints of hands so not too impressive. Second one was very spectacular as the track was at the bottom of a very very narrow gorge which made the temperature lovely and cool, being constantly in the shade, considering in the sunshine it was extremely hot. The third one was the nature walk by the information office and crossed a small stream with the track meandering through bush. Our first encounter was with a HUGE kangaroo that did not seem to want to get off the track in front of us but thankfully decided to hop off eventually. A few minutes later we were scrambling over some river boulders when a SNAKE came over the top of one and again frightened the life out of Pete. (Glad he is always happy to go first). This one, however, did not move away but stayed resting on the rock waiting for our next move so we backed up a bit and crossed over the boulders a
Carnarvon Nat. Park
One of 19 river crossingslittle further up, tapping our hiking poles as much as we could just in case there were more around. All the while we were keeping an eye on the one resting on the rock also. This snake was a light brown in colour and speckled as we got a very good look at this time with Pete even taking a photo of it. No internet connection today so unable to try and guess at it on Google.
Tomorrow night the park ranger is giving a talk so we will find out then hopefully. What is it with us and snakes! Some Aussies have never seen a snake in the wild ever and yet we have seen 5 in 10 weeks! Well the talk by the ranger was very very interesting as we all sat around in a circle like scouts and girl guides! Our snake was apparently not venomous and very good at catching cane toads and frogs.
As we left the park the next day there was yet another very large black snake on the track so Pete jumped out to take a photo. About 6 to 8 apostle birds then came around and decided to tease
the snake by trying to peck it. It was not impressed but knew its best shot was to get off the road and into the grass where they then flew off. It was quite hilarious to watch as they were not in the least bit frightened of it.
Next stop was Roma but not before we travelled through an uncontrolled bush fire. It was very close to the road and quite scary but thankfully not too high or big. I was driving at the time and definitely could feel the heat through the door and we didn’t stop this time to take a photo!
The town of Roma was busy and larger than we expected. Roma has many, many "Bottle trees" and even has a street with each tree dedicated to each soldier that died in the war from the town.
The town of Miles was the next stop and also our laundromat stop! By the time we walked up and down the one main street of town our washing was finished and then it was on to Chinchilla where we are now parked by the side of a local lake in a free camping area that
Carnarvon Nat Park
Echidna on road side even provides electricity for about 10 lucky campers that arrive first, we being one of them. This is a great initiative by the local authority to encourage travellers to spend money in this very nice small town. So far we have bought coffee and doughnuts plus fishing bait so we are doing our bit. Tomorrow we are going to try our hand at fishing for the local Yellow Belly fish or Murray cod. It was going to be at dusk today but we opted to have drinks with our neighbours instead! We all watched a beautiful sunset and then, as usual, were driven inside by the mozzies!
No luck with fishing today but Pete had fun when the wind blew his chair into the lake and he had to wade into the murky water to retrieve it! He also snagged his line and his jandal fell into the water too. Would loved to have witnessed it!
Our first overcast day today with the threat of rain. No problem though as we have plenty of books to read.
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