Things we've noticed

To let you know a few things we've noticed or some 'thoughts' for when you make your outback trip:
- Watch out for Roos! Don't drive at dawn or dusk for that is when they graze at the side of the road. We had a quote for a roo bar to be put on the car -$2500, so, we're going to limit driving times to daylight!
- Watch out for road trains! And yes, you kiwis, they are like trains! Some huge trucks have 3 trailers - carrying containers or stock trailers. You definitely give them right of way - they don't stop for you!
- It really is a huge, flat, vast landscape with long straight roads stretching to the horizon (photo in last blog)! This immense country is covered with brown (buffell) grass and scrubby trees & bushes. We've seen kangaroos, emus, camels, cattle, horses, sheep & brolgas grazing and foxes & pigs dead on the side of the road - did I mention Roos? In a stretch of 80 kms or so between Roma & Mitchell we counted 61 dead Roos!
- Things are quite expensive out here! We are now paying $1.56 per litre for petrol (cheap to you kiwis!). Fresh fruit & vege is a lot more expensive & not the variety. John killed some sheep for the farmer he worked for, so we have an esky full of mutton! We also want to see as many attractions as possible!
- The outback towns of Charleville, Augathella, Tambo, Blackall & Barcaldine are really lovely towns - clean & quaint with lovely buildings. I guess tourism is a major industry for them! I'm not saying you'd want to live out here though!
- There is much work out this way! We were lucky to get out of Mitchell! We both could have stayed at our jobs indefinitely! It is so good to be travelling again but with our costs, we might be back working sooner than we think!
- Nic & Cath are enjoying themselves! There are very few children travelling thus far but they get on well with the grey nomads! They were more social than John & I sitting around the campfire in Mitchell. They would come back to Bruce to tell us of all the people they met. Our contacts list is increasing! Wherever we stay (Parks or free camping spots), they go off exploring on their bikes & make up some game! Last night they went 'pigging' (Nic's influence on that game)!
- Bruce is holding up well. We love him! He needs a few minor repairs after the rough road North from Charleville but he is proving to be a wonderful home! I especially like the lack of housework!
- Education you ask? Since attending school in Mitchell we have been busy being educated by attractions & the real world! Saying that, we do maths, games & quizzes in the car & Nic & Cath both wrote neat stories yesterday (which they will now revise, edit & publish)! C2C is not for us this year!