TOD Tour 2.0 Days 69&70 - Barcaldine to Charleville

Tuesday 1st October

Drove the 400 odd kms to Charleville, with stops at Blackall (for Sue to stretch), Tambo(for coffee) and Augathella (for lunch).

At Tambo, we had the best hot chocolate of the trip so far at Fanny Mae's. An old dwelling, nicely re-purposed and we enjoyed our drinks on the wide verandah. Unfortunately, the actions of a young farming couple with two young boys, gave us a unwanted reminder of the racism that still exists as the default position for some. They had arrived looking forward to the coffee (adults) and milkshakes (boys) but used the toilets and left when they realised that the staff were Sri Lankan. I won't repeat their comments.

At Augathella, we had a similar experience, only this time it was based on "class". Sharing a lunch table with a brother and sister, the conversation soon became difficult to maintain. She made her place of residence - Morningto Peninsular - a clear badge of honour and looked down a long nose at her surroundings and he - a construction supervisor - made it clear how "grey nomads" should be taken off the roads for their incompetence.

Regardless, we continue to think the best of people we haven't met and try and engage them in conversation.

We arrived at our digs mid afternoon. Its a small van park, very old and needing love and attention and surprisingly is still accredited by one of the major organisations. Pound for pound, probably the most expensive park we have stayed in. We have stayed in park where we paid more but then they offered more.

Wednesday 2nd October
Day off.

Disappointing start for Sue as she got the starting time wrong for the Bilby Experience and missed the up close and personal tour which included touching a bilby.

We went for coffee and basically goofed off in the main street. Before heading home, we went out to the Cosmos Centre and booked into the Astronomy session for this evening.

Sue went to the lesser Bilby Experience during the afternoon. She reports they were very cute as they ran around in the dark in their little compound, sitting up occasionally on their large hind legs. From the photos, they are being given the perfect preparation for living and working at battle stations in a submerged submarine.

We didn't complete the Astronomy session in the evening. We got to the venue but I was feeling unwell and then anxious abut being unwell, so we had to cancel. The Cosmos mob handled things brilliantly, being both understanding and generous in refunding our tickets.

Click for today's photos

We are both pretty jaded from the quickness of our return to home, which to date has meant 2800kms in 8 days. Before turning for home in Darwin, we were averaging 105km/day for this tour so the pace and the lack of things to look forward to is taking its toll.