Left Sapphire on Sunday after ordering our rings. Jessica and George would have liked to have 'washed' another bucket but we are over our daily budget and i really don't think they would find any better. Besides we still have Gemtree in the Territory and Coober Pedy in SA.
Can tell we are moving further inland as there are increasing kangaroos on the side of the road and the carion feeding birds are increasing with them. We have also seen our first emu, with baby chicks. The road once we were over the range has also become straight for many km's. From experience this will become moreso as we head further west. Enjoying ourselves except for the unusual heat, which we will adjust to. Locals say it is about 10 degrees higher than usual but expect it will cool down again.
Spent Sunday in a Rest stop outside of Barcaldine before going into town today to see The Tree of Knowledge.Barcaldine is the home of the Shearer's Strike of 1891 and the birthplace of the union movement and the Labour Party. The Tree of Knowledge was a gigantic Ghost Gum the striker's met under,they were later arrested for this. The tree died a few years ago and the photo above shows the sculpture built in it's place. It covers the same canopy area as the original. We spent several hours at The Worker's Heritage Centre, a museum dedicated to the lives of ordinary workers who built the nation(Qld)and the union movement. Had displays on the railways, police, teachers, transport and roads, Aboriginal workers, ordinary and extraordinary women. Very interesting!
Are now in Ilfracombe,30 km's out of Longreach, as we wanted to use the artesian spa pools and could not book a spot in Longreach. The grey nomads are very prolific this year. Must be the downturn in the economy, all involved in tourism up here say they're having a great year.No matter, this is a beautiful little town and we finally have phone service. Funny that, had telstra Next G internet last night but no phone service! And... after 4 days out we needed to charge electricals and have real showers.
Anyway, I digress so must be time to go. Will post photos later.
Love Lynne
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