Charleville, Qld

Time to mosey on up the road. You hitch the van on, pull out straight onto the Mitchell Highway and maintain speed for the next few hours. We stopped after 250k at the first town, Cunnamulla, in Qld, (not the first name, that would be Engonia or Barringun) for an early lunch and because we just had to have a break. The driving is flat and mostly straight through scrubby country. The only noticeable thing is the fauna wandering along the road: sheep, goats, cows, emus, roos, pigs. The raptors were having a field day, selecting only the most ripe and juicy while ignoring others. In Cunnamulla we had toasties and coffee and took time to snap the world famous Cunnamulla Fella (what? you've never heard of him? shame, shame shame). Nothing for it but to push on up to Charleville, another 200 or so kays up the road. I have to say that the roads at this stage are far better in Qld than NSW, but no lessening in animals looking to be the next Eagle Boys meal. Somewhere back near Bourke we encountered 'traffic' in the form of ute and two caravans, who were dawdling along at 90. I played the game, for a while but eventually slid by them. I am really happy about how this rig sits on the road.

After Cunnamulla, well, well after Cunnamulla, we came across more traffic. This time two vans doing 80 right behind each other and about a 100m back from another pair. We sat and waited. It was just off-putting. The brakes lights would flash and they'd slow down more and move entirely across to the other side of the road as they avoided yet another carcass on the side. I was getting 'toey' with them. At one overtaking opportunity two large cattle trucks came into view coming the other way and then the radio crackled into life, 'Yair mate, we got caravan heaven coming, lets see if we can bowl 'em off the road etc etc', and they both moved in toward the centre of the road trying to put the frighteners on the others. I hung back and held my place. It's the devil in me. After they had passed we hear the first truck say to the other in a shocked voice, 'Mate, I think we got a two finger salute coming back at us!' Their day would have been made when a silken female voice informed them that indeed they had and that they surely deserved it. Didn't hear a peep after that. Ah the beauty of true mobile communications.

Made it into Charley and found our spot at the Bailey Bar Caravan Park. We were immediately driven out by some w***** playing Christmas carols and other god squad numbers full blast. We went to the info centre and booked a few shows and things, starting tonight at 9pm with a visit to the Cosmos Centre to look at stars and things through a big telescope.

Returned to the van park after a lap of town but went around to the back entrance just for fun. A football match was in full swing at the ground behind us so we simply drove in and had a look. The Charleville Comets were giving the Quilpi Quails a flogging. Serves 'em right.

Anyhow enough already, and I'll try and remember to hit publish this time, eh?

Here's a snap of some weeds on the side of the road:

Weeds. Charleville, Qld