April - Minilya

28/4

Decided not to get the camera – way too hot to sit around for 2 hours and that $500 might come in handy.

Got a man to hook the van up this morning – so much quicker. Need to pack it up by 7am I think – seriously dripping by the time I had it done at 9!!!!

Leisurely drive to Minilya. Lots of grass on the verges and green too. They even mow it from just south of Carnarvon right up here. I am told it is an African grass and the mail plane used to spread the seed while doing the rounds. It grows so well on the road edges because of the urea that leaches out of the tar apparently and so they do have to mow to dissuade the cattle and roos. Saw one dead calf and a dead emu but no sign of roos at this stage. Low scrub mostly. Pretty white trunked gums with very twisty branches. Carnarvon is mostly market gardens – banana tomato, mango, pumpkins. 

Lots of excitement as Buzz Aldrich is coming to town in June – they are going to make a museum to celebrate Carnarvon’s role in the space race – the dish was use during the moon trip. Also many tears and tantrums among the young ones – Timomatic has cancelled his concert tonight – only gave 2 days’ notice and the girls are heartbroken. Lot of effort put in to costumes for the dancing girls etc.

Stopped at the free camping area 40km south of here but seriously annoying little flies, and right beside the road. Not a big area. #469 Then stopped at the ‘riverside’ in the big shady parking area just before the road house at Minilya, #470 and spent 3 hours resting, reading, teasing the crows with bread. Nasty little white flower creeper that sticks its thorns into your shoes too. Might be the Double G thing? What a great overnight stop I thought! Lots of people came in, had a feed, used the loos then left – ‘odd’ she thinks! Better read the book – oops – this is only a rest area – the camp is at the roadhouse – so another $30 for the night. #471 Lots of dongas here – I guess a truck stop mainly, and I still don’t have to use my loo or shower. But – at least I have power and the aircon is roaring and the laptop is charging up. Thought I had burned the battery out. Put it on the seat this morning and chucked my cushion on top. Was rather too warm when I tried to turn it on a couple of hours later – and it wouldn’t turn on at all so big panic!!!! The thought of having to set up the other one….. Anyway – no internet or phone here so a chance to do the diary etc. Also going to sleep in the front bed tonight – didn’t unhook the van and the back end would be out too close to the road. (works hamburger dinner afrom the road house and off to bed)