Day 62: Sat 9 Jul - Karumba

14 (feels like 9) - 27 (feels like 24), another day in the sun, with a stiff wind in the morning, easing off in the afternoon

Greg did and early morning walk and Wendy went a bit later. After breakfast, we rode (with Bob) into town along the main road, and whilst it was a tad shorter, we had a very strong headwind. We took some more photos, and ascertained the servo had full gas cylinders, and also found a fresh-frozen fish shop that closed at midday. So, we rode home via the path, making a pit stop at the Tavern to check their beer and wine stocks.

Back at the van, Wendy had a hasty change of clothes and was back on the road in the Cruiser to shop. A big slab (1kg) of Barra was bought at the fish shop, then a full gas cylinder. We were short a few staple items, so Wendy did a quick grocery shop before heading home via the Tavern for beer and wine (had to stock up as we will be at a free camp for one night, then Adels Grove (Lawn Hill) for another three!

The groceries were packed away, then it was time for lunch and a rest. Greg then went for another short ride before securing the bikes onto the back of the van for our departure tomorrow. Exercises and stretches, then got glammed up (not) for pub night at the Sunset Tavern. The sunset was OK, certainly not the most spectacular we've seen, and the meals were large, and tasty.

Karumba sunrise

Painted light poles at Karumba

A nice looking fan palm

Karumba Sunset Tavern

Artesian Bore

Thousands of Corellas

The Slouch Hat again

The Norman River

Day 61: Friday 8 Jul - Karumba

14(feels like 10)-30(feels like 24), another gloriously sunny day, with that persistent wind

Whilst Greg did his early morning walk, Wendy did multiple loads of washing using both the van park machines, and our machine. 

After mornos in the van, we drove into Karumba to fuel up and restock the fridge and pantry. Fuel was $2.499 which we think is OK for this far away from anywhere. We also needed a new gas cylinder, but they only had empties. One would think that with all the grey nomads and fishers in town, they would stock up and be able to keep a regular supply. Perhaps they need a good logistics person to assist? Not Wendy though, not a whole lot to do here. Next up was the pharmacy with three scripts and came out with only one filled; this was expected though, so no shocks there. We had to shop at two grocery shops to get 80% of what we wanted. We paid $13 for a cos lettuce which again, is not too bad, when you consider what they are paying in Sydney and even Brisbane.

After all that excitement it was back to the van for lunch and a little rest. We then rode out to the Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre for a behind the scenes tour with the Barra. We watched a short movie about the Centre and the fish before getting to see the real live ones. We were in the room with the six-month old babies, and the breeding stock. They had to separate two of the bigger females as they were fighting with each other over the males! We watched as the babies were fed, then got to feed the adults; well, Greg fed them, but Wendy declined as she didn’t want to have ‘fishy fingers’ afterwards.

We returned not the van with a bit of a tail wind where Greg relaxed doing Sudoku (so relaxed he even feel asleep), and Wendy learned a new crochet pattern. Greg then accompanied Bob on another fishing expedition/ride (no luck though). The bonus was sitting on a rock watching the Sun disappear into the water with not a care in the world.  Wendy had a pre-dinner drink with Noeleene. Dinner was Pizza and it was yummy.

The breeding and spawning tanks with the adult barra

The baby barra (6 months old)

The Panda coloured female barra (they come in three colours, grey, panda (black&white), and white. this one may look white, but apparently her spots come and go