Isisford (Monday)

I’m not sure how, when I’m getting up at 7, it still takes me until midday to leave.... But anyhow! I had a rather interesting drive back into Longreach this morning. I got back onto the main road and could see a big smoke cloud. Before I could get to that, I came across a couple of hundred of cows being driven up the road. I don’t know if they were being moved away from the fire, or if that was a coincidence, but they were on the road regardless. 

Just taking a stroll...

 Half way to the highway I came across the source of it. A huge grass fire on one of the neighbouring properties. I suspect it wasn’t planned, judging by the vehicle skeleton beside the road...

Bike??

 I’m not sure if it was a bike before the fire, it looks like it may have been. It was quite windy and there were big willy-willys (a kind of mini cyclone thing) of ash racing across the burnt ground. 

Ash willy-willy

 Once I finally made it to Longreach, I headed into the Australian Stockman Hall of Fame. If you're ever in Longreach, it's definatly worth a visit. It is broken up into five sections; Discovery, Pioneers, Outback Properties, Royal Flying Doctors Service and Stock Workers. It was interesting to come back as an adult, or maybe a bit more grown up anyway. I would have been there for hours (longer0 if I had read everything, but I made a fair dent I think. A few of the galleries had 'unsung heroes' which were stories about the ordinary people who make up our country. There are computer screeens, projectors and audio stations, to add to the whole experience. I was wandering through the outback properties section and came across a screen with pinball on it! One of the employees arrived just as I saw it, and told me it was broken. Clearly, someone was having a bit of a laugh at the computer desk... 

do you rememeber how I was talking about the artesian spa the other day? Well, I knew it was big, but I didnt realise just how big until today. It covers 1.7million acres-20% of Australia! That makes it the worlds largest underground water store.

Flying doctors plane display

The flying doctors section was really interesting, especially because my sister Ellie is interested in working for them. They had a lot on the history. I hadn't realized the guy on the $20 note was the founder of the royal flying doctors, John Flynn. There is also a picture of the first plane to be used bt the RFDS, the pedal radio they used to first comunicate, the body chart used to identify the area of pain, and a camel, bought by Flynn for the first inland mission. The things you learn...

Up in the stock workers section, there was a really cool sculpture of a horse, made of old tractor (i think) parts and chairs. When i realizes it was made by quadraplegic Tom Creer, who did all the welding himself, I was even more impresssed!! I would struggle enough and my arms work fine. And I already know how to weld!! 

After the hall, I went into Longreach to get a going away present for Andrew and Michelle- some all purpose seasoning. We have the same microwave, and I make great chips with all purpose seasoning in mine! I got back just before sunset, and Stephie, Michelle's daughter made us Taco's for tea, which was really good. I forgot lunch again, so I smashed through three. Really should start eating properly...
 I also called my brother Hayden tonight, and had a chat with him which was really nice. I do miss him, and all of my family. I'm having a great time, but I will be happy to get home and see everyone by the end. Well thats me for another day!