July 30 Winton

Beautiful one day, perfect the next! What a great day in all ways. While you guys are shivering away down south we had a mid-twenties day and getting hotter tomorrow. Out come the shorts!

While we won’t be sorry to leave the van park, we’ve enjoyed Winton itself. We had another driving day – absolutely magnificent! Only drove about 60 km but it took us 4 ½ hrs, now that’s got to be some sort of record. Today we did the River Gum Drive through Bladensburg National Park and travelled through more spectacular (in our opinion) country. We had stops at three water-holes and really dawdled over two of them.

Skull Hole was the scene of an aboriginal massacre but also contained a cave and a large pool of water set against a small rocky escarpment.

Our lunch stop, which we had all to ourselves, was at Bough Shed waterhole on Surprise Creek. A quieter, more peaceful place would be hard to imagine. Ever though it was mid-day, there were lots of birds flitting about through the branches of the river red gums. Our “resident” ornithologist managed to even catch a few standing still long enough to be photographed.

Yesterday we’d come across a spectacular bloodwood tree with the buds standing up above the leaves in a most unusual way. Today we came across one where the buds had opened up and were in flower. The birds were extremely busy feasting on the nectar while the noise from the bees had to be heard to be believed.

Winton was in the news today – Tim Fisher (the politician) was here for a dinner last night and today was due to unveil a foundation stone for a twenty million dollar dinosaur building/museum about 13 km east of here where the Elliot dinosaur has been/is being excavated. Later in the week a convoy of motor-homes and caravans led by Dawn Fraser and Dick Johnson is due here. Be good for business in the town I suppose although they’re in for a shock when they lob in to this caravan park.

Cloncurry, where we’re due on Friday was also in the news. It appears they have only 10 weeks supply of water left. The people of Cloncurry have been using excessive amounts according to the report – I’m wondering if it might be the drain on supplies as a result of all the caravaners! We have about 50 L in the van tank and an emergency supply of 20 L in the Prado – perhaps I could sell some!

BTW, dirt roads are good for fuel consumption. I filled up this afternoon – now have enough fuel to get through to Mt Isa where it WILL be cheaper. Fuel consumption averaged out at 13.73 L/100 km – that’s about what the Magna does at home! Last time we had good figures was on the run down to Hungerford, also on dirt!