QI Tour - Mitchell (days 33-34)

War Memorial Park
at Morven

After a leisurely run from Charleville, which included a photo stop at the Rock Pool - unsurprisingly, a pool in the rocks - and lunch at Morven, we reached Mitchell mid afternoon. 

Morven has certainly changed from the little place with one shop we visited in 2008 on our way to WA. Then, our order of a coffee and pot of tea which resulted in two milkshakes ... and the lady who served them to us at The Duck Inn Cafe ... became one of our many stories which have been recycled over the years. Today, its a progressive little village/town, with a tidy school, several businesses, a newish hotel and then uniquely named "Pick A Box" Motel. The motel probably gets its name from the nature of the establishment. It is a series of stand alone, single bedroom cabins, each resembling a small corrugated-iron shed.

Across the road, between the Warrego Highway and the western railway line, both continuing to run parallel regardless of Morven's presence, is a well maintained war memorial park with a healthy pine from Lone Pine itself, some well chosen sculptures and the obligatory monument. A small purpose built information centre adds to an area which contains the original public toilets and the Kerosene shed - a small shed which is sheeted in flattened kero tins and was built in 1930 during the Depression.

Once in Mitchell and set up, Sue headed straight to the Great Artesian Spa for some warm water relief for her back, which has been giving her some issues in the last few days after sitting too long on uncomfortable seats at one of the museums we visited. Hours of contentment later, after I had checked out the only pub still open and done some tasks, I sat poolside and had a very passable mocha.

After a quiet evening, it was back to the spa for Sue for a few hours while I caught up with some admin. Whilst I love to write the blog and organise our photos, it takes time and this trip we have organised this in better ways and allowed time for it to happen. This prevents me from having to sit up late at night.

Warrego Highway passes
through Mitchell

I joined Sue at the spa and had a coffee while she finished her two hour session. Afterwards, we drove a short circuit of the town, spotting the multiplicity of closed hotels and the many vacant shop windows facing the main drag. Unlike other small towns on the QI Tour so far, Mitchell doesn't seem to be undergoing renaissance. 

A surprise email after lunch from Tony & Carol, who had purchased one of my books at Charleville, saw us organise a coffee date for the afternoon. For the time being, we are traveling similar paths. Our years of experience - one doesn't say age - corresponded, so we spent a really pleasant hour sharing stories of our children and our passage through time. 

Click here to see
today's photos.

As we were back at the spa for our coffee, I joined Sue for her further 45 minute session to continue to ease the pain in her back and down one leg. The water hovers about the 40C mark, a factor that removes the gasp when the water runs out of room at the top of your legs in its immersion of your body. Its like hopping into a very warm bath. You can stand under the bore pipe for a water massage but the rest of the time, its much like being in a regular hotel pool, with ledges to sit on and steps to take you in and out. There were only a few others about, so it was actually quite relaxing.

Its a great facility. $8 gets you an all-day entry and they serve great coffee and a good selection of food, all at very reasonable prices. The staff are super friendly.

On to Roma tomorrow.