This is set to be our first and only long stint with the new Landcruiser and new AOR Quantum camper before we head off for 12 mths of travels in 2018.
We left home 10.00am Sat 8th July with our prime destination being "Lara Wetlands" - located just a bit S of Barcaldine.
Well yes it is usual that we would head off at around 5-6am when heading off on our trips - but we thought we might take a more leisurely approach and aimed to be gone by 9am.
But those bloody chooks fixed that idea!!!! - they are so damm difficult to catch and lock up in the hen house so we can hitch up and be away - and we lost an hour really just getting them and ourselves sorted.
We should have locked them up overnight and hitched up and moved the camper out onto the roadside early in the morning before letting them out. It would probably be a laugh - being an onlooker watching our cursing and cajoling of these hens - and them outwitting us - but we did not really find it all that funny at the time!!!
Leaving at 10am meant we only made it to Miles for our first night. At 3pm we pulled into Gil Weir - a free camp just out of Miles. This was a bonus really as it was a lovely spot (shared with just a handful of other campers spread out along the weir) and we still had some afternoon sun to warm ourselves in.
We took our chairs down to the jetty at the weir and sat in the sun enjoying a couple of early wines before the coolness set in upon us.
Dinner was quick and easy - left over lasagne we had bought with us - meaning we were all cleaned up and indoors by dark and getting cold.
It was a peaceful night - and not too cold - we thought - when we woke at 6am.
In actual fact when we left at 8.30am it was only 7degrees. Sitting ourselves out in the breaking sunlight for brekkie it wasn't too bad - but definitely nippy round the hands.
Of course we had to stop in Miles and grab a coffee - spending some money in the town that provided us with a great free camp - which included a new and very clean toilet for our use.
Our stop for Sunday night (9th July) is Augathella, opposite the local pub - along with about 2 dozen other travellers - we have never seen so many at this spot in our previous stops here.
The pub even offers free parking overnight at the rear now and has cabins as well. They have a sign out as well, offering hot showers at 2 for $5.00 for any travellers in town. Seems they have really got into providing for travellers in a big way these days and the free camp now has a $5.00 honesty/donation box - which is fair as they offer clean flushing toilets for us travellers.
It was sunny and warm when we arrived and we headed off for a walk around the levee bank and back through the town.
There are now quite a few metal art works around the town. I loved this horse -
- and - the dog chasing a cat up a tree
It was not long before it clouded over and we are starting to feel quite cool sitting outside getting onto dark.
Before we leave we check out the Augathella butcher and stock up on some meat.
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