Day 92: Tue 26 Jul - Longreach

Day 92: Tue 26 Jul - Longreach

9 to 25 deg. Weather today was a carbon copy of yesterday - only slightly better. The day started with an early morning walk with Greg from the caravan past the QANTAS museum about 800m away, through the Cattlemen's Bar and Grill gardens (housed in a beautiful period hand cut stone building) to the Stockman's Hall of Fame (1500m away). It was another magnificent sunrise and a rather mild morning. On return, I bid Greg and Wendy farewell as they head south, and I drove into town to drop the ute off for an overdue service. I walked the 2km back to the caravan to collect Noel, and then we walked in the opposite direction back to the Stockman's Hall of Fame for our 9:45am tour. It was an interesting exhibition and very informative, but we were both disappointed with the audio arrangements - it was difficult follow and match up with the displays. We were also very uncomfortable with the large number of people around the displays, many coughing and not wearing face masks. We found out later that some people who booked the Ultimate Tour which included a live display and cinema package, didn't enjoy the museum and gallery either, but thoroughly enjoyed the live display and cinema experience (an extra 1.5hrs). We only booked the Museum and Gallery, so we'll have to return sometime for the live display. After a couple of hours in the Museum, we walked back to the van for lunch, then 2km back into town - me to collect the car, while Noel  to buy a few groceries. The Service was about $200 more than I was quoted which caught me by surprise - I thought $770 was a bit steep, but they did replace four filters: Fuel, Oil, Air and Air Conditioner, and rotated / balanced the tyres. Peace of mind in suppose, but for the price they could have washed the car. So I took it down to the nearby carwash for a bath - at least its few kg lighter with less dust and mud attached to it. Back to the van, Noel finished some washing while went for a lovely afternoon ride along the bike path (old main road) to the Apex Riverside RV Park on the Thompson River. I arrived there at about 5:00pm, and was stunned at the amount of vehicles parked for the night - I reckon there were as many, if not more vans parked there than at our caravan park. The number of caravaners about is staggering. I can't imaging how much they are contributing to the local economy. Back to the van for a couple of cleansing ales (it was hot and dusty), followed by dinner and a quiet night at home. Tomorrow morning, we're off to the QANTAS Founders Museum and airpark tour.  


Morning walk - The Drovers Monument at the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame

Morning walk - The Cattleman's Bar and Grill


Morning walk - The Cattleman's Bar and Grill

Morning walk - The Cattleman's Bar and Grill

Morning walk - The QANTAS Musuem

Car service at Longreach Motors, a lovely old building too

Street scene in Swan St

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame


Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame - RFDS Aircraft

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame


Whip making - Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame - RFDS Aircraft

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame - The Drover


Lush green and colourful landscape

'Walking Together' monument 

Pioneer Woman monument

Pioneer Woman monument

Colourful fields

Brolgas

Bersheeba Monument - Farewell old Warhorse

Bersheeba Monument - Farewell old Warhorse


Still a lot of water laying around - ride to the Apex Park Camp Grounds

Lush and colourful landscape on a ride to the Apex Park Camp Grounds

Still a lot of water laying around - ride to the Apex Park Camp Grounds

Still a lot of water laying around - ride to the Apex Park Camp Grounds


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