Today and the following 2 days we are, basically in 'Transport Mode', on our way to Mount Isa. We departed Ilfracombe CP fairly early and drove the 27 km to Longreach. Here we stocked up on all the essentials, like fuel, food, beer and items from the bakery that we had been told about. We drove out to the Longreach Waterhole on the Thomson River, a fishing and free camping area, and had morning tea with the goodies from the bakery, an indulgence.
Then on the road again towards Winton, where we stopped for lunch. Yes, eating again! While eating our salad lunch we noticed a wide load escort vehicle with flashing amber lights nearby. As this escort vehicle did not move after several minutes I had to investigate. The load that was being escorted was an entire house, as wide as the roadway.
Apparently, the story goes, the house had been taken to Hughenden as a 'prop' for an Australian Movie and was being returned to Winton and placed on a block there. After all that excitement we travelled onto Kynuna and the 'legendary' Blue Heeler Hotel.
We set up camp behind the hotel, had a beaut hot shower and went over to enjoy the hospitality of the publican.
After several stubbies of XXXX Gold the clock moved around to 7 pm. We asked the host, "What time did dinner come on?" "What dinner" she replied. "I'm the only one here and can't be everywhere at once." There were travellers, similar to ourselves, transport drivers, cattlemen and fishermen returning from the Gulf, over 20 people in total. The publican missed out on the revenue from the meals and also beer sales as we all left the premises. Some like us, to our own devices, others like the fishermen went to the roadhouse only 200 metres away. What a poor way to run a business!
The Kynuna Roadhouse.
The "Real Story"? Looks like a "Sad Story".
No comments:
Post a Comment