01.08.07

FARINA

Had a really good nights sleep and had breakfast with Willie and Denise in the dining room.

Weather a lot nicer with a chance of rain but not likely.

There was a lowloader in front of the hotel that left this morning. They were taking a Cat D9 from Andamooka to central Qld and were going up the Birdsville track. I was able to get some very good shots on film. The driver and his escort were both in the bar last night and did he put away the grog. Must have put away 12—15 Jim Beams interspersed with a few beers and a glass of wine to go with his tea. Even Willie was impressed. When I was talking to him at 0900 he was fine EVEN THOUGH they were up at 0530 and had driven to Lake Eyre and back before breakfast for a look!

(Later in Birdsville we just missed him as he was pulling out as we came in. Heard that he had tyre trouble at Mangeranie and consumed the same amount of grog)

Di did some washing and helped Denise with the dishes while I chatted to Lawrie the owner who was up from Victoria.

We cut some sandwiches and went down to Farina about 60 k’s. Had a look around including the cemetery up on a barren wind swept hill. There is a very nice camp ground with toilets in the creek bed. Back by 1500 and did some odd jobs on the car and van.

Had another lovely meal, Penang curry and Quondong Pie spent some time after in the bar chatting, a funny night.