Augathella to St George

Augathella. Long chat  to the neighbours  from Inverell. Said to come see them if over that way – that was nice. Didn’t leave the park until 11 – washed the bird poo off the windscreen some more. The park doesn’t seem worried about water – all their taps spray water all over – need new washers!

Drove to Charleville – very warm today. This country would be so pretty if it was green – and there is a faint tinge of green among all this strange grass. I guess it just comes up from the bottom through all the matted stuff. Lots of yellow and purple flowers on the verges now.

Found the Bailey Bar CP and was parked right beside the amenities. Turned the aircon on and hid inside all afternoon, although did manage to get the bedding washed. Very warm night as well. Got up at one stage and shut everything as there was very gusty winds – I was worried about a storm in the night.

Drove via Morven to Neville Turner Weir just out of Mitchell. Several emu with 3-8 young at foot. Haven’t seen any for ages. Mulga trees – grey things maybe – also some grand trees with black trunk with grey leaves (Desert Oak?) – very striking. Lots of water in the river. Inverell couple here along with quite a few others. SO HOT – I miss the aircon! Have dropped the back down just to get more ventilation.

That only lasted an hour when I decided it might rain so packed it up again. Chatted to an old guy and his grandson who was fishing, then over to several others when we heard thunder. Just back to the van in time to shut everything before we had wild wind gusts and heavy rain – lasted about 20 minutes!  Spent a lot of time before getting to sleep pening and shutting windows – just get comfy and I would hear drips on the roof so shut the window then hot so open again….. Good thing I did shut them finally  – a heavy fall late in the evening apparently.

Was going to stay another day but was dripping by 10.30 so packed up and drove to Roma to a CP for the night! Went 10km down the back road the neighbours use to St George and decided it was too narrow – too hard  even though it was sealed - so turned around, went back and  took the Roma route instead. Good thing I think as there is a lot of smoke down that way from fires started last night in the storm. Lucky!

Very humpy road to Roma – stopped several times to let trucks pass me – didn’t want to hurry today – and had the aircon on most of the way. Back into grain country once I left Mitchell. Most looks ready to harvest now.

Went to the showgrounds - $27 for the night but I was the only one there and no shelter anywhere so went to Big Rig – it was full. Back to Villa CP - $32! But a drive through site so that is good.

I really think I need to head east to the mountains – might be cooler there or it will cost a fortune in camp fees.  Would love to find a cool spot by a lake/river where I can sit for a few days. Also need to get a little 12v fan – didn’t know they made them!

Went for a walk. Chatting to an ex-army guy full of help. Relocated from flood somewhere. Now a council worker. The showground dongas are where council workers and flood victims are living. The river overflowed and came through this park 1m high! His family – Prattens have fruit wines at Kilcoy.

Another thunderstorm wind and heavy rain! Restless night trying to get to sleep, but no apparent leaks.

Fuelled up then headed to St George. Road was pretty good really. Lots of ripe grain and lovely gentle rolling country with the ‘grey’ grass still, although a little bit of green near St George.

Stopped at Fisherman’s free camp beside the river at Surat but decided not to stay there so in to town for sandwich and  coffee (yuk – drowned ‘short black’ – I don’t think she had ever been asked for that before). Then through the Cobb & Co museum. Good – not too cluttered. Interesting ‘spring ‘ on the old coach – looked like leather straps wound around many times and tightened. A town worth coming back to stay in I think when I am in a 'fishin' mood. Nearly bought a hand line.....

Nice drive to St George. Stunning Jacarandas here.  At a tourist park = again! Don’t really want to be out in the sticks with these thunderstorms and lightening fires! Checked the internet this morning - there are hundreds of fires listed in QLD and NSW. Most of them are grass ones it seems. Still very gusty winds but not quite so hot here.