BACK ON THE ROAD

We left Willow Gemfields on Sunday. Can't believe we had been there a month. It went so quickly.  As much as we enjoyed our time there, with Ron and Marjory, and digging for buried treasure, we were eager to get going again. We didnt find our fortune in gems but we do have some pretty sapphires that are treasure to us. Ron and Marj had a few tears as we left. I don't think that they get many visitors up there in the sticks. Which is sad as they are lovely people.

GREAT DIVIDING RANGE

AN OLD RAILWAY STATION

We hit the road mid morning and had a few stops on the way looking at historic sites and a lookout on the Great Dividing Range. Long straight roads make for easy and comfortable driving. Actually I really am enjoying the driving. So different from drving in Tassie. And the 'cruiser is just like driving an armchair. Thankfully the weather has turned sunny and warm again with endless clear blue skies. We have so been looking forward to seeing the outback blue sky with no clouds, no wind and no rain. The nights are cold though. We have had 3 degrees mornings for the last few days but the days are warm and by the afternoon you can usually wear a singlet and shorts.



HAVING A BREAK

We are now at a gorgeous freebie campsite, on the river at Jericho. It is probably one of the best we have stayed at. We had only planned to stay one night but that quickly become three nights!  Diva can run around freely and loves being by the campfire. I am absolutely loving having the campfire again. Even with the stinky clothes! Twin tub fixes that - so no problem. The boys have been going and cutting wood and transporting it on the tailgate of my 'cruiser. Better not be any huge hairy spiders in it!!!  I got up at 5.30 this morning and stoked the fire up. Joe and I sat there in the dark and quietness with our coffee and enjoyed the stillness and the brightness of the stars.....and then went back to bed. Well it was only 3 degrees!

NICE LOAD OF FIREWOOD FIL!

VIEW FROM OUR CAMPFIRE

HORSES IN THE BUSH, ALONG THE RIVER WALK

There are quite a few birds that visit our camp and wade along the riverbank as well as the many that are up in the trees. I have got quite a few shots of them. The one below is a Kingfisher that has been catching small fish in front of our camp.

KINGFISHER

It is a very peaceful spot. There is an abundance of wood for fires, fresh water on tap and rubbish bins. No-one seems to be able to catch any fish though. One guy had been here for a week and didn't even have a bite. I have had a bit of a go too but had the same problem. Probably would help if I had some decent bait but we didn't think of that when we in Emerald doing our shopping. We were told (by the guy at the shop) about a nearby dam that has huge yellowbelly in it so we may wander over and give that a go later on.
I feel very "at home" out here and it will be interesting to see what the towns are like further up the track.