PetalliTravellers: The Big Lap - Week 2.

 We started week 2 heading to Blackall for our 3 day lockdown starting at 6pm. We stopped at Tambo for a walk (and Peter's coffee). Once in Blackall we set up in the RV reserve. The camp beside the river is large and dusty but as many vans as usual so we set up down near the river.

We went to the information centre to pay our $10 a night permit fee and then headed to the hot springs pool for a swim. Good value at $2 each.

It was lovely to stay put for three days – reading, doing crosswords, sewing, just relaxing.

At the end of the 3 day lockdown we packed up and headed north-west to Barcaldine for Easter eggs and lunch then up to Longreach. Masks still needed to be worn inside and outside if one couldn’t social distance. 

It was strange seeing everyone wearing masks, and it made me glad that so many people are being responsible (that, and the fact that police were fining people on the spot for not wearing a mask. 

Once in Longreach we drove through and out the other side to the Apex Park RV site.

We have stayed here before and the cost has gone up from $3 to $5, still a bargin. Right on the Thompson River with a lovely fenced off grassed area with toilets, picnic tables and bbq shelters. It is a very large area of dirt and we were surprised that there were only about 20 vans there. Bonus! We got a good site and set up for the Easter break.

We had planned on a devonshire tea on the Saturday, but the shop was closed. We stocked up with groceries and fresh food, we walked around the railway station,

and talked about where we would stay if and when we do a train trip to Longreach.

We went to the QANTAS museum to see the planes. Good to see they are now under cover.

We took our photos of the Tropic of Capricorn sign. We plan to take a similar photo on the other side of the country in a few months.

On Easter Sunday, and the prediction of rain, we departed Longreach and headed to Winton.

The Winton Way Out West Country Music Festival was about to begin, so wewere unsure if we would get a camp site, but to our surprise the back of the Australia Hotel only had 3 other happy campers there.

Camping is the cost of a beer

 

 – although Peter wasn’t having a drink without the rest of us, so four drinks and dinner, was the cost! 

We were across the road from the original Chinese Market garden and shop.

 

Last time we were here it was a small plaque outside a falling down tin shack. This time the garden has been reclaimed and a large sign is at the front. 

One can walk around the garden and interpretive signs tell one what was grown or happening there.

The old shack is now supported and filled with replicas of what would have been there at the turn of the 20th century.

Great job Winton, I love seeing history portrayed for the younger generation to see. We walked up and down the main street and were lucky to see the open air picture theatre open.

Every other visit it has been closed, thank goodness for the music festival. There is a small museum type room with old projectors and roller skates, not sure what the roller skates are for. The theatre itself has old movie posters around the walls and deck chairs look so comfortable. One day we will see a movie there.

We also went up to the Musical Fence for a play.

We thought about staying a little longer to see the Hill Billie Goats and Sara Storer, but Peter was keen to get moving, so onto Julia Creek and week 3 of the BIG LAP.

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