Emus on the roadside just heading out of Longreach
Sunday August 14th.
Departed from Longreach as per the chiefs instructions want to be away by 0830am,
as we had another long drive today - all good got 10 brownie points as we left 1min early hahahaha.
Left to perfect weather warm and sunny even at 0830 yep it was warm then. We had a great stay in Longreach a truely farming town,undulating/gradual landscape, and as for the van park a great place to stop they have spent alot of money on it the last few months and it shows, great friendly staff and good amenities we had site 201 and will go back there I am sure of this as we also want to get up and stay on the farm of Joy and John Hardie at Muttaburra they live on a farm named "Verastan" it was such a pity Brian was so unwell or we would have got out there to visit them - next time John/Joy.
Traffic on the Sunday morning heading south was pretty good infact most of it was heading north especially the road trains they are 4trailers long and I would never attempt to past one of them, we were heading to Barcaldine where we joined the Capricorn H/Way on-route through to Emerald.Out of Barcaldine the H/Way was dotted withe Wattles in full yellow flower and also Banskia trees that were also in flower bright orange such a prety sight on the edge of the roadside when it is normally dry and barren, these we just 50km north of Jericho we stopped here for a comfort stop and a cuppa and met a nice couple from Adelaide SA, Brian is still pretty unwell so the I decided I would drive for a while to give Brian a break which allowed him to see some of the countryside. At midday we were at a place named Alpha where we stopped for fuel once again I continued to drive. We entered the Central Highlands around 1.00pm driving through the forested "Drummond Ranges" (see photos) half way through the ranges we changed drivers as the lad I think had put the GPS on and it appears he was watching my speed we debated my speed I said I was doing between 80-90km per hour the chief said 79 hahahahahaha nah honestly I had driven over 100k and it was time to change over the GPS was on there for the turnoff to Lake Maraboon as this was just before Emerald off the main H/Way.We arrived at the turnoff at 2.30pm.The lake is 20km from the main H/Way drving through wattle lined road and undulating road.We crossed the Lake Fairburn Dam wall (see photos) before arriving at the van park at "Lake Maraboon", arriving around 2.45pm - we have a fantastic spot we are one row back from the lake and directly beside the pool - all be it not quiet warm enough to swim just yet but great to sit and dangle the feet in, in the afternoon. We were set up in no time and sat and had a late lunch and a cuppa out in the sunshine when some very friendly lorikeets (see photos) came and paid a visit they are very cheeky even came into the caravan for a look see, when nothing was on offer inside they came back out and decided Brian's crackers looked ok and worth a try. With just the TV to set up the lad appeared smiling from ear to ear as he had managed to get 25 digi channels and 8 analogue so he was very happy.
Well folks that is about it for today, dinner later for us and then I guess a bit of TV watching and bedtime - catch you all tomorrow.
Driving into "Alpha" where we stopped for fuel.
