Liffou

The tour on Liffou was all about the vanilla production. This was the last bean and was the highlight of the tour and also the most photographed

. This bus fitted in with the Rowles Rotten Tour standard. It got us there and back with a few rattles and bangs. The automatic door operaion was the guide pushing it shut.

The walk down to the cliffs of Jokin was down 100 concrete steps. But once there it was a nice place.

Up on the highest point was a church and a viewing platform. A good place to fit the ship in.

Time to reboard the ship. The ship uses its own ferries to bring you ashore.

First port of call. Noumea.

Looks like a few people with yachts like this place.

Traditional welcome by the locals before we went ashore was a good show. The best part we liked was the drumming.

Liz and I wet on the cultural tour. It was run by a french bloke and he had his own opinion on the cultural side of the people. He was not impressed by the modern side of the culture and let us know several times. That was in between smoke breaks.

This chief's hut is built in one day.

Noumea was a bit rushed as we were there in peak hour traffic and the cultural centre was busy due to a display being held there as well. Probably a place not to visit again. Back onto the ship for a farewell from the locals.

This bloke has some burns to treat when we leave.


Liz was impressed with the drummers and wanted to share her knowledge with them.
I told he that I knew something about drums as well but could'nt compete.

A break from driving. Take a ship tour.

Arrived at the terminal after storing the car and trailer. Took near on 2 hours to get all the luggage sorted and the paperwork done. Finally the tug arrived to get us going.

Under the new bridge is a tight fit with just a few metres to spare.

Up to the pool deck and sus out the bar.

Straight into the cocktails. Yum !!! was the first word from Liz. Keep these coming.

Brisbane

Botanic gardens at Mt Coot-tha are very beautiful this is the Japanese garden.

A very rare species found hiding behind a bush. The grey haired booby has orange feet.

10th September Barcaldine - Charleville

Shooters utes everywhere. All stainless trays. Looks like they are professionals. First two sporting clubs on the way into town were both gun clubs.?

Spotted this old torrie in front of one of the pubs. Still in original condition.

The tree of knowledge was poisoned in 2006. This structure was built over it to preserve the remains. The tree was the meeting place for unions to negotiate rights between the shearers and the pastoralists.

On to Charleville.

Set up camp and got into the "Cosmos Centre and Observatory" 9:15 pm!!! way past our bedtime and might miss out on our Milo. Had to turn your headlights off before entering the place. No photos as that would have blasted out a few people eyes.

The roof retracted and a guided look at some of the stars etc was very good. They even supplied blankets as it was very cold.

Longreach Thursday 9th September

Stockmans Hall of Fame. What a place,you could spend hours here and still not take it all in.This place must have cost millions to set up,

Inside the main display area. It has 4 levels.

Outside you can take in a one hour show , Dogs, horses, bullocks and a jumping lizard.

Liz just had to get up close and check this big fella out.

On to Longreach Wednesday 8th September

Picked a good spot in some cockies paddack to camp the night. Nice sunset through the cloudsWoke up and explored the remains of an old pub and cattle yards.
Sign showing all the facilities available ?

Leaving Birdsville Tuesday 07 Sept

Once the go ahead to leave was given the first 1000 vehicles to pack up first left the town.
First trick was to get out of the cavavan park and leave Birdsville Island behind.

Through the mud and out of there.

Picture out of Liz's window as we crossed the main trouble point. No water in the car or trailer.
Dust on parts of the road kept everyone at a safe distance.

Into Bedourie to refuel. One Servo, One bowser, (ULP) One bloke behind the counter, one long wait. Once refueled drove towards Longreach until sun went down

Birdsville Roads Closed

To the North

To the East

To the South

To the West. We are locked in. Ah well may as enjoy the fun.

Birdsville Island

Well the rain started and kept on. We woke up to this flood. It's a dangerous road to the toilet all care taken not to fall over in the mud. Very entertaining watching people get towed out of the bog. Saturdays racing cancelled. We were luckier than some, only a few leaks and a bit mushy under our floor. Others woke up to full flood. One bloke woke up when he put his hand down and felt water. He wasn't quite sure where he was. The bloke next door had a frog climbing up his leg. It's a bit worrying when the frogs are looking for higher ground. Some frayed tempers around but most of us take it as it comes. We could be stuck for a while.

The ones that stayed where we camped have lovely waterfront views from all sides and have declared a new island.

Birdsville

4. Oops i've started at the wrong end please start at no. 1. This is the end of race day. We had to make our way to the buses in the rain in ankle deep mud. Greyhound buses kindly bussed everyone to the races for $2 each way the mud that was tracked on the bus was that high we almost touched the roof.

3. Well we made it to the races. We won some we lost more. Then the rain started. They cancelled the last race due to a wet track.

2. Some dero in the gutter.

1. The Birdsville hotel unofficial races on Thursday before the races. Wheelie bin races, pumpkin races and coiling up rope on a full can of xxxx attached to a sled with a stuffed horse on it. Lots of crazy fun.

August 30th Bedourie to Birdsville

Al fresco kitchen. all the rage over here. Or is it bring out your dead week in the middle of nowhere?

Neil had to add his croc to this sign. I found a pair of shoes for the races. Check out the yellow ones just my size.

The Birdsville hotel early in the week.

Caravan park on Monday before the races. We camped on the river. Rain is forecast for Friday and Saturday(race days). Hope the river doesn't rise too much.