We left the Freedom Camp at 8am, and our first stop was about a km up the road at the water point. Tanks filled, we headed out to Normanton. Our only stop along the way, on a wonderful smooth road, was at Blackbull Historical Railway Siding for a cuppa and a pit stop. Tasks completed, we continued and arrived at the Normanton Self-Contained RV Camp. Even though a permit is required, it is a free camp, with no water, power, nor toilets (they are only a 2km ride away though).
There was not much else to stop for today, however, we did see a sign painted with a black aeroplane that indicated that some graffiti vandal had travelled this road before!
After lunch we rode into town on a fantastic off-road path that goes over the original on-laned Captain WH Norman Bridge built in 1966 (will have to get some photos for tomorrow's blog). The info centre was closed, so we photographed a few things, then went shopping at a very well stocked supermarket - Stop & Shop. Although prices were a tad high, we have to remind ourselves where we are; in the middle of nowhere. However, when you consider that an iceberg lettuce in any place other than a remote location is $10-13 at the moment, $14 here at Normanton is not too bad.
Back to the van for a little relaxing before pre-dinner drinks with the neighbours, then dinner in our own vans. We went out again after dark to do some star gazing; this is the first clear night since we were at Chillagoe that we have been able to do this. We saw six satellites and two shooting stars; all confirmed. Our defence for the rather poor sightings is the moon is very bright and there are a number of fires around the camp that are impeding our vision!
A rather large flock of Galahs near the water point this morning at Croydon
Murals at the Croydon Club Hotel
Water tank art at Croydon Club Hotel
Blackbull siding, showing the evidence of recent rain. Opened in 1890, this siding was originally named Patterson's Siding but was renamed Blackbull after a black bull was found in a mob of cattle being mustered in the area. In 1899, Blackbull was identified as being "a place for tea and cake" during the journey from Croydon to Glenore and return.
Building used by Queensland Rail for rest stops with the Gulflander
No 1 Maintenance Gang, Normanton
Inside the Gang's hut
Water tank for refilling steam engines
Rail line heading to Normanton
Heading the other way to Croydon
The BIG Crocodile
Krys the Savannah King; an 8.63m (28'4") estuarine crocodile captured in the wild. Caught on MacArthur Bank, Norman River, Normanton in July1957 by Krystina Pawloski
The Old Gaol, Normanton
One of the cells
The cell door
Not sure if these amenities were for the prisoners or the cops?
Check-in counter at the old gaol
One of the newer watch house cells
Trackers quarters (c1953). Trackers were introduced into the QLD Police Force in 1874 and were mainly indigenous males due to their excellent bushcraft skill. They were used to track people fleeing from the law, missing persons, and lost or stolen stock.
Normanton Court House, not a particularly good pic
Shire of Carpentaria building
Completed in 1890; although built in the style of older hotels, it was never a pub
Central Hotel
Two of the pubs at Normanton
Purple Pub
Not sure if this is Normanton's War Memorial?
Normanton murals
The Gulflander at Normanton railway station getting ready for a departure sometime soon
Some funnies at the rail station
Rules for our free camp
