Saturday

Not much sleep last night and Martin did most of the packing up this morning while I laid in bed. Had a shower before we left while Martin topped up the water tanks then we left to fill up with fuel.

Chris and Shirley were at the info centre when we arrived to return the key but it didn't open for another 20 minutes. There was a return box but Shirley offered to wait and return both keys and catch up with us at Birdsville. Martin gave them our phone number and we hit the road.

I had a small sleep on the way and was starting to feel better when I woke. We stopped at Carcory ruins and took some photos. A bit further on there was a pile of used household goods on the side of the road. It was like a curb side pick up in the middle of nowhere! And then later at a turnoff the sign was covered on shoes.

We arrived in Birdsville and drove past the caravan park. It certainly wasn't full but there was a bit of a line up at the front. Given the prices Brooke said we are still happy with our decision to free camp.

We drive out to the river camp area where there is a group of trekkers and camels who have walked from the Bourke and Wills dig tree to Birdsville. They are regrouping in order to finish the trek into town.

We choose a camp site near a tree with no-one else around. As we now have reception I phone Paul to find out where they are so we can organise how we'll meet up once they arrive. Paul tells me that they've had an unexpected expense and won't be coming. Very disappointing cause if we'd known a week earlier we may have decided to give Birdsville a miss and do Winton, Longreach and Charlevile instead. While we're looking forward to the races it would be nicer to do this with friends. But we're here now and set up so we are going to have a ball.

Just after we get set up Chris calls as they have arrived and have the refund for us so we make plans to catch up next time we're in town. Apparently Chris and Shirley, and Peter and Rhonda are in the caravan park on powered sites.

I have a lay down and just as I start to sleep I hear voices outside. Chris and Shirley have walked out with the $50. Shirley told me that if we had put the key in the box we would not have got the money back (even though the keys are numbered and they had our name and address).

In the afternoon we take a drive back into town for a look around. We grab a goodie bag at the information centre which has a calendar of events for the coming week and then drive over to the pub for a quick drink. It's your typical outback pub with stuff all over the walls and ceiling. You can tell the town is just getting itself ready - there are a few food trucks starting to set up and there is a bit of a buzz at the pub.