Tuesday 22nd June 2021
Well what a beautiful sunrise, it was magical and at such a respectable time, about 7.15am. Well I have finally worked out my night attire – Aldo merino bottoms and socks, singlet, long sleeve bed shirt and headband with my puffer jacket on until I warm up. I had a pretty good sleep but still woke about 4 or 5 times, the wind picked up during the night and it sounded like the water was lapping our wheels. It took  while to adjust to this noise.

We went for a short walk before breakie to the Burke and Wills camp called after the early explorers who had established a long term base camp here. This is where a small party headed west from in the 1800s but they perished before their return. The Darling River near the camp had the most amazing gum trees. After our walk we headed back to camp for another slow start. Oh well!

We headed off at 10am to explore the south area of the Menindee Lake. A couple of the roads we wanted to take were closed so our only option was to head down through Kinchega National Park to the Kinchega Historic Wool Shed. This was a very interesting destination. The woolshed had been restored and there was machinery from the 1900s to view.

We then headed to Broken Hill back the way we travelled earlier this morning as the alternate route was too far in the wrong direction just to avoid travelling the same direction. On our arrival at Broken Hill we purchased our 12 month SA desert pass ($174), then headed to the Aquatic Centre for a swim. Then to the shops to pickup a few things we forgot to pack. By this stage it was late afternoon and we decided to stay in a motel here rather than travel the roads at roo and emu o’clock. A much safe option. We didn’t realise how difficult this decision was going to be, we spent the next 45mins trying to find accommodation. There was nothing available unless we wanted to pay over $200. Eventually we managed to find a room at the Royal Exchange Hotel, a very nice room, not too expensive with a lovely restaurant for dinner.

Hopefully David will get a good nights sleep in the king size bed where he won’t be woken by me all night. Then fingers crossed we can make it into South Australia tomorrow.

“Kinchega Woolshed is a very large linear building constructed of timber frame with corrugated iron cladding. It consists of 26 stands and is built upon a low sandy hill close to the Darling River. The main structure is constructed of trimmed river gum trunks, sawn roof frames and flooring raised well clear of the ground and a wide pitched roof, skillions and walls sheeted with corrugated iron. A notable feature of the building is the pavilion of sweating pens at the southern end; its light stud-frame construction contrasts with the heavier timber of the original section of the shed.
Nearby are a cluster of small corrugated iron clad buildings containing the shearer’s quarters, cookhouse and stores buildings.
Kinchega Woolshed witnessed the evolution in shearing technology that was seen throughout the wool industry during the nineteenth-twentieth centuries. Blades were replaced by mechanical handpieces and the steam traction engine that first powered the machinery stands outside the building. A boiler also is located here. Team was in turn replaced by kerosene and then diesel powered shearing gear. Finally the handpieces were powered by electrical equipment. In addition to the traction engine, the shearing machinery is also present, as is the wool press, wool cranes, a cart and buggy and other equipment.”