Monday, July 25, 2022

Day 78: Mon 25 Jul - Longreach

8 (feel like 5) - 27 deg C, fine, sunny, and a tad warmer than it has been

After his early morning coffee, Greg went walking, whilst Wendy put the first of six loads of washing on and then had coffee. Most of the washing was hung on the park's lines, so there was a little bit of walking involved for Wendy too. In between loads, she did some real work. During this time, Greg went shopping for groceries, gas, and diesel. The IGA supermarket was well stocked and most prices were very reasonable. 

He returned for mornos, then went off on his bike to what turned out to be a very interesting cemetery. The oldest grave dates back to 1893 and there's been about 3 500 since. The resting place of at least 600 souls is not known. There are also numerous little tin houses scattered around, a Mediterranean tradition apparently used to hold photographs, flowers and other items to honour the deceased. There was once an "Alien" Section used to bury Chinese, aboriginals and non-British subjects, a practice that was common across the country in those days.  

After lunch we both headed out on the bikes, with Bob (the Barbs have caught up with us again). After a ride on the bike path, we left Bob and visited the Powerhouse Museum. All the displays were very nicely presented and it was a pity we did not have more time. They closed at 3:30pm and we arrived at 3pm. Next time we stay in Longreach, we will have at least two things to do, the museum and the QANTAS wing-walk tour.

Pre-dinner drinks were enjoyed after the boys rode into town and picked up our Indian takeaway dinner. Indian is always tasty and it was again tonight. We were both satisfied about halfway through the meal so we know what we're having tomorrow night. We retired from dinner early and while Wendy cleaned up inside, Greg packed up the outside of the van. Onwards we travel tomorrow, to where we're not 100% sure. How blessed are we?

Did we say something? The two at the end left not long after this was taken, so we were the only ones left; tonight, all spaces are taken again


The Sexton's House - Longreach cemetery

Reliquary Huts, usually made of tin, wire and glass

The oldest grave 1893 - 36 year old son of a Clergyman

A lovely marble headstone in the shape of a bible


Aboriginal Keeper House


The Cobb&Co Coach out and about in Longreach


Murals around town


Anyone for a Bex and a little lay down

Longreach Powerhouse Museum

More old medicines



The actual old Powerhouse - still mainly intact

This might come in handy if the power crisis had continued


Now that's a spanner(s)


The switchboard and Greg trying to throw a switch





The pistons

A really old fridge


Gas producers




The Powerhouse from the outside


Nogo Cottage









The big picture of the Powerhouse

Feeding time at the van park

Our route; red = completed; not much green left, we are getting quite 
sad that our trip is coming to an end














Wrap-up and Reflections

The main thing we learned on this trip was to stay flexible. Bad weather interrupted us 25 days into the trip, meaning we had to spend three...