AUC 1995 - Carnavon Gorge

Roma, Injune, Carnarvon Gorge Qld 
(Carnarvon Highway) 258 kms

Lunch at Injune

How much colder can It get at night!

The crew woke from a fitful night of visits to the toilet and shivering, after minus 2 degrees and a heavy frost. The small tent ended up being closed down completely for the night to keep us as warm as possible, but the resultant condensation storm the next morning had us reaching for raincoats inside the tent!

I discovered a rodent in the food box - not to be confused with Chris - and was gentle in my treatment of it in case it was one of Arthur's native marsupial mice. Carefully picking it up by it's tail, so as to ensure it would be unharmed by my handling, I was able to display it's delicate features to the children. Their "oohs" and "aahs" turned to gales of laughter when the little bugger turned tail and bit me on the finger!

With camp broken - not unlike the skin on my finger - we headed into town for a new billy and some
abridged sight seeing. The information centre provided us with some pamphlets re Carnavon Gorge and Roma. The camping shop was able to supply us with data regarding the bottle trees that adorn the main street. They were planted for the war dead (WWII) but have become infested with a fungus and are gradually dying. Qld government funding is being expended in an attempt to save as many as possible and replant those that cannot be saved.

I was able to add some Langston Family history to Roma by explaining to the captive audience, this was the place Pa purchased his first Akubra hat, when visiting the gas fields of the area.

On our way out of Roma, we called at the Romavilla Winery - the oldest winery in Qld - and added some camp fire companionship to our stocks of supplies.

Blue faced honey eater

Lunch was taken at Injune, in a small park supported by the CCWA Youth - although we were certain none of them were present, unless the old gentleman mowing the lawns of the adjacent Injune Bowling Club was a guide to the now aging membership. During lunch, we were entertained by Sue, who showed her support for Kodak by shooting half a roll of film trying to procure a photograph of an interesting bird we had first observed at Roma. It turned out it was blue-face honey eater.

After sandwiches of Virginian Shaved Ham, it was on to Carnarvon Gorge.  We stopped by the road to gather wood for camp fires during our time in Carnarvon and this was done with unparalleled family unity. From this stopping point, the road deteriorated into a rough, corrugated surface that shook the gear and the occupants. However, the camping area at Carnarvon Gorge NP was eventually found and there, waiting for us at the Information Centre, was the Garden Gnome and his Mate - the children's grandparents, Les & June Langston.

Camp site established, we had a filling tea of mince and pasta, accompanied by Chris on the guitar.

TODAY'S PHOTOS

After dinner, it was off to an outdoor slide presentation from Ranger Bill or Nick or "something" (information supplied by Pa), showing us the special features of CGNP. The pictures were good, but the dialogue left a lot to be desired. Needless to say, our presenter had not accomplished all of the necessary Talking & Listening outcomes one would consider necessary for the task he set out to complete.