First up this morning was the Bilby Experience at the Roma train station building. We thought it was going to be a look, touch and feel experience, however, it was death by PowerPoint and an advertisement for Save the Bilby Fund. However the enthusiasm of our guide, Lisa, more than made up for the lack of a cuddle with a bilby. We did get to see two of the furry little critters under red lights and we were encouraged to take flash-less photos behind thick glass, so you can imagine how difficult it was. Although Wendy did manage to get a few reasonable shots with her new iPhone 13 mini, which has a number of amazing features. Just happy to see a couple of Bilbies that weren't made out of chocolate and wrapped in tin foil.
It was then back to Heinemann's Bakery and Café for mornos. This time we both had a Ned Kelly Pie with our coffee, and it was all very nice. Greg then went riding with Bob to the cemetery and the Outback Date Farm. The cemetery is a real credit to the town and the people who maintain it; one of the best we have seen in Oz. The Date Farm was just a grove of palms, see pics. We were hoping for a shop where we could buy some fresh dates, but the owner said he only had produce at home in town. He offered to deliver them to the van park this evening, which he did; yummo.
Wendy and Noeleene hit the shops after mornos. Wendy now has another Western style shirt, red this time. Greg didn't miss out and was given a pair of really warm socks with anti-slip soles for those cold nights in the van. Grocery shopping completed the outing, and the girls were back at the vans just in time for lunch.
After a little rest, Wendy went to refuel the truck and the cheapest in town was $1.999 at the BP. Not bad for way out West. The other two were $2.019. Back home for blogging before heading to the levee on the river for sunset pics. Mother Nature didn't produce the goods tonight so no pics. Back home for pre-dinner drinks, then dinner, shower and bed.
Too cute
Lisa, our fantastic guide
Bilbies can have triplets, however, twins are more common. They have a two week pregnancy, 2.5 months in the pouch, one week off, then the process starts again. Greg said that a week was more than enough! They can have up to four litters a year.
The Bilby fence
Some interesting facts about the Bilby
Bilby distribution
The real things, really hard to capture as they move so fast
A hungry noisy mynah at the café this morning
The Date farm
Charleville cemetery - not a good idea to use wooden crosses - termites!
St Mary's Catholic Church at Charleville
The big Yellow Belly in the main street
