Monday 4 July 2022
Unfortunately it rained lightly most of the night and our camp area was a little boggy. After a cold wet morning we headed back the way we came yesterday. We couldn’t continue on the Sculpture Trail loop as it went on dirt roads which were closed. It was bad enough when we had to straddle the verge when one of the 50,000 caravans came towards us. David asked them to “P… off, please”. We continued through Aramac to Barcaldine (BAR-CALL-DIN – we now know how to pronounce it) where we had a look around the Main Street. It was quite interesting. We saw the “Tree of Knowledge, a sculpture about the Shearer’s Strike of 1891 and a million caravans. There are so many travellers around. We then decided to follow the sunshine and head south to Blackall instead of east to Emerald and Carnarvon Gorge. We would have like to go to Carnarvon Gorge but being school holidays they were totally booked out. Oh well, maybe next time. When we arrived at Blackall we went for a swim in the 50m outdoor heated pool. This pool has water from the Artesian Spa which is regulated through a heat exchanger. It was 31°C, still too warm but comfortable to get in. They also have a spa which is 36°. We are staying at the Showgrounds in Blackall tonight as the caravan parks and motels are book out. Hopefully no more rain tonight. Hope you all survive the rain over the next few days..