Big Galah

July 5 – Saturday

Not as cold this morning and on the road by 9.00am. The outside temperature started to climb and the heater was very quickly turned off. When we stopped for a mid-morning break, the polar fleece was swapped for a windcheater. We were at Narrabri by lunchtime, so decided to drive an extra 100 km to Moree, which would help shorten the drive to Toowoomba. Some interest to the morning was added by coming across a truck which had decided to have a little lay down on our side of the road and let his load of drums have a play on the verge. At least it gave the police and fire brigade something to do.

It is hard to believe that the country could be so flat and level. Between Narrabri and Moree there were only about 6 slight curves in the road (for no apparent reason) in the 100 km. Virtually all the land was being used for cotton, wheat and sunflowers. Unfortunately we are a bit late for the cotton harvest but there was still plenty on the sides of the road. We even saw an emu in the middle of a young wheat paddock, having the time of his life.

The bird life is marvellous and, apart from magpies and magpie larks, is nearly all parrots of various kinds, white cockatoos and galahs. A large flock of galahs added some excitement to Les’ life today when they flew straight at the car. Guess who ducked behind the steering wheel, while galahs went in all directions, fortunately missing both the car and caravan.

The temperature had continued to rise to 22o by the time we reached Moree and TomTom had taken through all the back streets (the shortest way!) rather than the main road, to the Mehi River Caravan Park. Nice park, very good, clean amenities and best of all – hot artesian spa pool, cooled to 39o! Needless to say, the swimsuits were very quickly dug out from under the bed. The down side would be the owners dogs, especially the Staffordshire which seemed to wander at will