Charleville heading east.

So the last job was assembling kids bikes for Christmas gifts. The shed, my workshop, may look disorganised but you should have seen it four weeks ago.

Yep, probably like living in a mining camp but its been undercover with power and water and out of the sun. Works for me and the motorhome.

Some random pics from morning walks around town.

Pub Restaurant in cattle country.

On the outside wall of the local butcher shop.

Sunrise out west.

Aussie Helpers - Charleville, Oakey, Cunnamulla, and Eulo.

Not every day has been the same. Besides unpacking donated goods, storeman and packer sort of stuff, have got to do a road trip or two. Oakey, to help with a clean-up of sorts for a few days, and a day trip south to Cunnamulla then west to Eulo to pick up a bit of gear.

After smoko in Cunnamulla pulled into the Eulo Pub to get directions. While the publican made a phone call or two I checked the pub out. Footy tipping, interesting: Butch, Rat, Pook, Wozzel, Boof, Bull, Foxy, Snake, Sparra, Nobby, Frog, Bear, Ferret and a few more I can't remember were on the leaderboard.

Seems 'Roo' has the gear and I'm given directions to his station (large farm) just 1km out of town. The publican omitted to say the driveway to the homestead was 8km long. Thought I was lost in the driveway!

Roo introduced himself to me as Andrew: Australians are famous for slang and giving people and things nicknames. aka Kenny the Diprotodon. Apparently, it has something to do with the flies. Best to keep it short, as few syllables as possible, that way reducing the chances of flies getting into your open mouth.

Getting a feel for the driving distances that are taken for granted out here: 600km is no big deal.

Sign says: "Come in a buy a feed before we both starve"

Cunnamulla Fella

Eulo Pub and my ride for the day.

Kenny the Diprotodon at Eulo.

Charleville - photos

A day off is always a good chance to have a look around.

Took a drive down the Mitchell Hwy to check out the Warrego River. Looking good at Bakers Bend except for some green algae that suggest no flow. Then Dillalah Bridge, a lovely camp spot, but the river turns to billabongs. Definitely no flow!

Interesting, not a camper in sight. For that matter don't remember seeing a caravan or camper on the road either. Too hot?

Took a walk into town and took a few snaps. Charleville is a nice town, has a good feel to it.

Warrego River at Bakers Bend.

Warrego River at Dillalah Bridge.

A Lovely park in Charleville.

Hotel Corones Charleville built in better days. 

Charleville - Aussie Helpers

Monday morning in Charleville and meeting up with the Aussie Helpers. I've put my hand up to do some volunteer work helping the farming community who are trying to survive this endless drought. Not exactly sure what I'm in for but I'll give it a go. An open mind and a preparedness to do what is needed will be important.

Fundraising is a major part of any charity. But receiving and sorting donations of goods has its challenges. All sorts of donations. All sorts of things given, with the best of intentions, need sorting, inspection, evaluation, and determination as to the best way to utilize or distribute.

So my first day was spent assisting in the sorting of donated toys, all new, and taking delivery of pallets of gift boxes prepared by large corporate businesses. A new experience for me but a satisfying day with measurable achievement.

A sense of purpose, of contributing. A rewarding feeling.

Charleville - Rock Pool

Ahead of schedule. So spent a couple of nights camped at a rock pool, a lovely quiet spot, about 10km east of Charleville. Close to the road but surprisingly little traffic. Did some walking around in the scrub and took a few photos. A relaxing time watching water birds feed on yabbies.

Rock Pool -10km east of Charleville

Probably left over from early road construction.

My Internet connection.

There is a trick to getting it the right way round.
(White-necked Heron)