Friday, July 12, 2013

Cloncurry: the adventure so far!

Friday already and what sights we have seen. After working out which strip to use we landed to a welcoming committee at Comeroo Camel Station on Monday. There was much sniggering at our Jabi covers, apparently real planes in the outback don't have covers. Our host Bruce Sharpe refers to them as nappies!!!

We had drinks and dinner around the camp fire, fed the cows cotton seeds and drove to the hot water bore to meet some fellow travellers. Generally we got in the way but pretended we were a great help. And it was COLD! And DRY!

A few drops of welcome rain awoke us on Wednesday morning but not enough to keep the Jabi on the ground for our planned trip to Charleville. Of course we are no strangers to Charleville airport having stopped there on our maiden voyage to Birdsville. After a quick refuel at Charleville we used our first SAR WATCH (thanks Kate and Ranthir) and set sail for Longreach. Now with a head wind all the way, progress was a little slower than expected but the scenery changed and kept us enthralled along the way. We arrived safely and cancelled our SAR WATCH.
We played tourist at Longreach, walked the streets, visited the Qantas Museum and cruised the mighty Thompson River at sunset. Dinner was had on the river bank and we were entertained by Tania Kernaghan who was in town as well as some great local talent. By now the evenings are balmy and it was very pleasant.

We made it to Cloncurry this morning after a smooth flight from Longreach with a healthy tail wind. We decided to change our plan a bit and stay the night at Cloncurry. After the usual beer for the pilot we immediately put on our Akubras when we heard the Stockman's Challenge was on and took in the local rodeo. It's warm here - in the high 20s.

Tonight we are off to the Wagon Wheel Motel for dinner. It boasts the Prince of Wales historic restaurant and inn, the longest serving licensed premises in north western Qld. We figure that since they have been cooking since 1876 they should have it right be now.

Tomorrow we take off to NT and the Barkly Roadhouse for one night. Insha' Allah.

Thanks for the good wishes, blog comments and blessings, and stay tuned!

The Flying Nabateans

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