Day 7. Drove up the Gregory Development Road from Springsure to Belyando Crossing via Emerald. The road just misses Clermont. RM commented at length on the huge number of power polls leaning over. This was the highlight of the 6 hours on the road. We saw lots of crops of millet and sunflowers and large tracts of cleared land, apparently not in use. The reason for the leaning polls was not ascertained. Weather remains lovely and we camped by 3pm, allowing some wel...

Day 6. Drove up to Springsure along roads which seemed to have all of the Queensland Dept of Roads budget being expended on them. Not before time either. We passed by the Carnarvon NP which looks lovely. Some beautiful rock formations. Temperature reached a pleasant 24 degrees. Time for the tee shirts to emerge!

Day 5. Drove up the Carnarvon Hway through Mungundi and St.George to Surat, a pretty little town named after a town in India. It is on the banks of the Balonne River. We are camped near the river in the tiny van park. Decided against free camping just yet, as the night-time temperatures are still pretty cold. What wimps we are, but warm wimps. We can't let today go past without shedding many many tears for Julia. How dignified and courageous she was, in bringing...

Day 4 and the sun is shining. Our first stopover day so we can spend time taking the waters.....how Victorian.... But it is lovely. As usual, the Gwydir van park is full, both motel units and van sites. However, there is plenty of room in the various pools, which range in temperature from 25 to 39 degrees. Some are swimable and some are just for wallowing! RM swims and I mostly wallow. An eclectic group of tourists here from the OAPs to various international vis...

Day 3. Short trip up the Newell Highway to Moree through drizzly rain. We have almost the same site here as two years ago. Set up camp and turned on the heater. But we still went up to the hot baths for an evening dip. Luxurious.