Tree of Knowledge and lovely Sapphire

We ended up driving from Longreach to Sapphire in the same day which is only around the 300 ks or so. It was a longer than usual haul for us as we were getting used to about 250 or so. We are so glad we did. Along the way we came to a little town where the Tree of Knowledge is. It is a famous tree that the workers all sat under when they had the first ever shearers strike. Under this tree the Australian Labour Party was formed. The tree is beside the railway station but has been held up and supported by various methods and had a Perspex floor and lights underneath to see all of the tree roots. Apparently in 2006 the tree was poisoned and died but they have carefully preserved it. It is centered in a wooden overhead display that actually makes it look like the trees foliage. Very clever and well preserved.

After partaking of the local bakery offerings we were on our way to Sapphire. There are two parks in Sapphire but we eventually decided on The caravan park at the top of the hill. It was delightful with very secluded and pretty bays. We were however very close to the amenities block. The new owners are carrying on the tradition of a very friendly and welcoming park where at the end you don't actually want to leave. There was happy hour each evening and would you believe we met some lovely people who lived in Darling Downs (Just a few ks up the road from our home) The park has an abundance of various wildlife and John got a fright on our first night when a possum scurried up the tree. Sapphire is of course known for its sapphire mining which is a great way to pass some time. John and I went fossicking at a place called Pats Gems where you can buy buckets of wash and spend the day searching for your fortune in sapphires. It was great fun and we found a few sapphires of different colors which was very exciting but nothing that was suitable for cutting. People go there on holidays and end up staying to do mining for 6 months of the year. You just have to put a claim in and get the gear and off you go. A license costs about $9.00. I think this is just what I would like to do but only in the cooler months of the year. We had heard there was a little place in Rubyvale which is another sapphire town about 10 Kms away so off we went to look around and have some of the famous strudel. We had the strudel but the Austrian man who owned the shop was also a jeweller and creates stunning jewellery so a 12 dollar afternoon tea ended up becoming a sapphire ring. He was having a closing down sale as each year he closes for the hotter months and returns to Europe then comes back again in February. So he has a big sale to clear his store. So of course yours truly now has a beautiful blue green sapphire ring. I can't stop looking at it as it just shines and sparkles in the sun. We also went on a tour of one of the underground mines there. Like Coober Pedy, it is a constant 24 degrees under the ground and a very pleasant temp

Far too soon our 3 days here were finished and as much as we wanted to stay longer it was time to pack up and move on to our next adventure. (We were only going to stay just one or two days initially). It's off to more adventure and places to see Talkies soon Xx Son n John

Longreach

Longreach is renounced for the Stockman's Hall of fame and the Qantas museum which literally has a Boeing 747 and a 707 both parked in the driveway. It is quite astounding as Qantas donated the 747 and the 707 was bought for a pound from a plane cemetery somewhere in England. It was restored by volunteers and flown back to where it now sits. It has a history of various famous owners but the most famous is Michael Jackson. It is fitted out with a QS bed and lounge and in its day was fit for a prince...

The 747 is quite scary to look through and I can't see myself ever wanting to fly on such a large plane. But it was fascinating to be able to wander through and also to look and sit in the cockpit at the myriad of buttons. The museum also has a Cattalina and a DC3 which you can also get into. John had fond memories of being taken up in one as a air cadet when he was about 14. A very rickety but apparently quite trustworthy plane. You need a full day to see all of the museum and we were able to come back the next day. It is very professionally done and well worth the look if you are in Longreach. The Stockman's Hall of Fame is also very professionally laid out with another days worth to see. We were a little disappointed to see that WA was under represented in the unsung heroes boards and when we spoke with the curator he assured us that it was for all of Australia. So I have the nomination forms and will be sending them in ASAP for some WA stockmen.

The outback show was a highlight and featured a stockman going through his tricks with horses, working dogs, livestock and a huge bull. We had a good laugh at times but mostly just marveled at his ability to handle all of the above plus crack a whip.

The tour included a sumptuous lunch at the cattle mans ranch and a look through the museum and the art gallery. I'm glad we have seen it but feel there are many who missed out perhaps because of lack of advertising of nominations. Longreach itself is a pleasant country town with just the regular range of shopping but all very friendly. The caravan park we stayed at was huge but no grass only gravel. The amenities made up for it though as well as the friendly service at the desk (thank you Alana) Our 2 days here passed by in no time and so it's off to other adventures. It's off to find our fortune in sapphires in a town called Sapphire Wish us luck Talkies soon Xx Son n John

Queensland

Yah!! We have crossed the border into Queensland.

 It is hot and dry though and there's not a lot of greenery. The countryside is extremely dry and grey looking. The temperatures are an unseasonably 37-38 degrees most days. We have decided to stay in caravan parks to keep cool for now until we get further south. The bus has a great air conditioning system but only when plugged in to power. Hopefully it will cool down when we get to southern Queensland areas. We arrived in Mt Isa and stayed at Moondarra caravan park.

"

We topped up on supplies at the local Coles and I treated myself to a comfy pair of shoes but unfortunately have made my heels sore so it's back to the cheap slippers I bought in Coober Pedy that are extremely comfortable. John has hurt his back lifting the A frame off (even though I have instructed him on lifting techniques) so is moving very slowly and with great discomfort. It's regular nurofen and codeine for him! Mt isa looks very pretty from the top of the lookout but is in reality a very dry dusty town and situated right next to the mine stack with plenty of pollution pouring out. Not a great place to live I don't think. We left the next morning looking forward to getting to some greener pastures. Imagine our surprise when we came accross the Walkabout Creek Hotel in the middle of nowhere. This pub was made famous with the Crocodile Dundee movies and is the place where Mick Dundee and his mates hung out for a drink. We stopped and had a drink and a chat at the bar. The owner has been there for 24 yrs and has photos of all of the cast from the movie. It was amazing to find this place and we are glad we stopped and had a drink in Micks pub.

We stayed the night at a small roadhouse caravan park in a little town called Kynuna. This is where Banjo Patterson penned his song Waltzing Matilda and the poor old swagman had his last drink at the Blue Heeler hotel. There were a couple of overly friendly Brolgas who tried to get his head into the bus looking for some tucker.

The sunset was delightful and there were some lovely old houses accross the road that looked quite old and like houses out of an old movie. Off to Winton, a little place renowned for its dinosaur fossils. With no rain for ages it was like a dust owl in the desert and the caravan park we stayed at was not good. We did find the Musical Fence and the landmark for Qantas' first airfield and had a bit of fun playing in the wind. Also found this little fellow wandering the streets of town. I decided to name him "Connor" as he was cute and full of mischief.

There is also a lovely historical building that has been kept to its original look especially for the tourists.

It's on to Longreach tomorrow and to the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame. Thanks for reading and don't forget to log in and leave a message or two. Talkies soon Xxxx Son n John

Tennent Creek

TC is a very interesting place. There is a lot of activity with mostly tourists creating the hub bub. The locals are content to just sit under trees and watch the world go by. Gold mining was the main reason and although some small gold mining the main workings are now closed. The gold battery is open to tourists as well as a museum. Times were certainly hard in the old days. Just 5 ks out of town is a man made dam which is a recreational fishing, swimming spot for the locals. It's quite incredible to find such a place out in the dry dusty land and certainly a beautiful place.

After Tennent creek we stayed at a freecamp accross the road from a police station in the middle of nowhere. John was breath tested when we left in the morning ha ha. See you in Queensland Xx Son n John