The long road home……….

We said farewell to Trevor the next morning as he opened the improvised gateway to the orchard where we had been camped.  The backhoe had become a running joke as he checked each day whether Bill needed him to dig a hole for me - a bit rude I think - and thankfully not an offer we had to take up!

To get home we had to travel across to NT but because of our day in Cairns we can’t cross the border until the 24th August.  4600 km to get home this way but it’s better than 2 weeks quarantine if we come through NSW.  Fingers crossed there are no hiccups along the way.

We stopped at Ravenshoe for lunch and then made our way to a favorite gravel pit/campsite at Minamooka.  The next morning we stopped at Mt Surprise where we found a quirky coffee shop set in a shed and enjoyed a drink and a scone there.

Next stop was Georgetown for bread before stopping for a couple of nights at Cumberland Chimney.   After a couple of days where Bill enjoyed some time with the birds we left early and set off to Croydon.  Not far out the sealed road gave way to a single strip of bitumen which we are quite used to out here.  Since last time we drove along this route all the unsealed sections have been sealed so hopefully it won’t be too long before these narrow sections are replaced as well.

Unfortunately not soon enough for us as our pleasant drive soon took a turn for the worse as a car came speeding towards us.  Both of us moved over to the shoulder as you have to out here but he did not slow down and the next moment we heard a huge thump and yet another windscreen was damaged.  We hope it lasts until we can get somewhere to replace it.

We made it to Croydon and stayed in the caravan park there for a couple of days to fill in time and to do the necessary washing etc.  The night before we left we had dinner at the pub and while it was delicious it was just so big.  I guess they are used to feeding big burly blokes but it would be nice if the serves were a bit smaller for some of us.

The inside of old veranda has been painted in 2012 as a gift to Croydon by artist Rod Lucas.  It is a compilation of old and new and there are some lovely scenes there.  I loved that I even got some sunset in the picture of the Male Ward from the old hospital.  Originally built in 1894 this building was moved to make way for the new hospital and is still used for community purposes.

Leaving the next day we made our way towards Normanton and our next stop was Leichhardt Lagoon where another couple of nights will be spent.  Unlike last time there was hardly anyone here and we got a prime spot at the waters edge.  We enjoyed an afternoon of just lazing by the water watching the birds and reading.  I am loving this part of the journey as we have to go slow to fill in time.  Known for its lovely sunsets here we were not disappointed that evening.

Bill rose early and spent the morning with his camera and the birds.  There are Brolgas, Sarus Cranes, Jabirus, Pelicans, Green Pygmy Geese, Jacanas, Ibis, Magpie Geese, Egrets, Herons, Blue Winged Kookaburras, Kingfishers, Rainbow Bee Eaters, little Rufous Throated Honeyeaters, Yellow Honeyeaters, lots of Apostle Birds and many different types of raptors flying around.  Bill is in heaven and goodness only knows how long it will to take to sort out the 1000’s of photos he has taken.  

We’ll be off in the morning but look forward to visiting next time we pass by.

until next time……..