We had 4 great days at Longreach and it was as hot, dry and dusty as we expected. Although the temperature was high 30s, it was not a humid heat so quite bare able. A swimming pool at our site helped a lot as well! Also a good spot to meet other travelers and have a good yarn.
We made friends with some more bird life. These were a bit bigger and Chris was not so keen on me feeding them, although they were friendly enough and quite gentle when eating out of my hand. I so wanted to pull out that loose feather but that didn't seem like a good move.
We enjoyed all that Longreach had to offer, doing all the touristy things and experiencing the outback.
The stockman's hall of fame and the Qantas museum were both very interesting and we made the most of being able to re enter them, one three times and the other twice. It never fails to surprise us as to how tough the first settlers had it and what they still managed to achieve. So what do we have to whinge about?!
We really enjoyed our trip to LSODE. Longreach School of Distance Education. To see how these kids on outback properties receive an education, really amazing, especially now with computers and Internet. The classes are so small, it's nearly a one on one thing. I'm sure they are getting a better than average education and their overall school results seem to confirm this. For all teachers and parents out there, it's something to consider.
We did the Cobb and Co. experience which we thoroughly enjoyed, again confirming the genuine outback friendliness and charm of it's people. The Carriage ride. Sunset dinner cruise and bush poetry were all organized and involved the same family. They were all lovely, a beautiful family. Dad and his two boys and daughter. All ready to spend time with us just talking or waiting patiently while we talked to the animals involved in the events. The kids where all in their teens and their outback accents were so long and drawn out, they would have given John Wayne a run for his money ( and don't say "who is John Wayne?)
After Longreach it's back on the road and free camps. As the tourist season is pretty much over out here now there are not many other travelers about so we get the places to ourselves, some have loos and water but other spots, like where we are now,along side the Barcoo river in Tambo, there is nothing, just the space, peace and quite and each other. Ahh!