Birdsville

Saturday 22 August  2015

We were up early this morning so that we could use the camp kitchen, get packed and have a look around the town before our group photo shoot  at 8.00am. The sun was rising as we came back from our showers such a beautiful sight and a glorious time of the morning.  A drive around the township of  Birdsville doesn't take too long! ! Jim gave the truck a squirt to get some of the mud off.

 

We caused a bit of traffic congestion getting the vehicles lined up in front of the iconic pub but everyone was very obliging. No photographs or electronic communications are allowed in the pub as it is supposed to be a place to socialise. If you get caught breaking the rules you get fined and have to make a donation to the Royal Flying Doctor. The old pub is quite unique and contains lots of memorabilia. Caps from all over the world hang from the ceiling. Hard to imagine that on the first Saturday in September when the Birdsville races are on that the population swells to around 8,000 people. An extremely huge amount of alcohol is consumed during this period and I guess plenty of money changes hands. We camped at the caravan park by the Diamentina billabong.

 

The forecast for today is 35 degrees and strong headwinds. Plenty of dust, heat and wind. No flies as the wind was too strong and it was impossible to keep a hat on your head when you got out of the truck. The countryside is very barren and in parts covered with gibber rock. Where water has been there are little green patches of grass. It is hard to imagine that this area gets covered in water when there are heavy rains and the bird life is prolific.    

       

We were worn out by the time we reached our overnight stop at Bedourie. I tried to have an afternoon nap but it was way too hot in the back of the truck under the tarp. We had the complete use of the caravan park at no cost as long as we had the BBQ meal at the roadhouse. Plenty of clean toilets and showers for us all.  The local school children came around dressed in their school uniform, even though it was Saturday, so they could have a ride in the old vehicles. Lots of smiles on their faces as they were driven around the streets and allowed to use the two way radios. Doc let them have a blow on his trumpet. The cost was $1 per ride and this was donated to the Royal Flying Doctor service.            

A nice get together at the roadhouse. Time for a chat, good feed and an ale or two.   When you are in the vehicles driving all day you don't get the opportunity to chat with all the convoy members. When everyone is cleaned up you doubt that they even belong in the convoy as they look so different. Luckily we all have name tags!!