Mt Surprise to Normanton

 Cool morning again here – 14 degrees. After breakfast I walked up to office to try & find out if Erica had had her baby yet – couldn’t get on line. No phone reception until Normanton.

On the way I heard a couple of toots & the Savannahlander train was leaving the station (7.50am). Quite a few out beside the tarck to wave them off. People stayed overnight at the cabins in our park.

We got away before 9 – only 148kms to Croydon. Scrubby savannah most of the way. ‘Ran out’ of volcanic basalt rooks & BIG & little rounded grey rocks everywhere. We passed through the Newcastle Ranges (hills!) – quite scenic. Still lots of dead kangaroos - & one feral pig – with crows, eagles (one huge one!), buzzards at them;  lots of Brahman cattle.

We stopped in Georgetown – discount petrol, vans lined up one after the other! Saw couple of big free camps – quite a few there. BIG Shed/Op Shop & Minerals shop/display there.

Stopped 20 kms out at Cumberland Chimney – last brick remnant of the gold rush days from 1880 – 90’s – early 1900’s. Thousands there – until gold ran out! BUT 2 big dams there with LOTS of water lilies open on them & prolific birdlife (pelicans, ducks etc etc). 2 free campers there already – lovely area.

Only short distance to Croydon for 2 night stay. 27 degrees – HOT!. We have a DIRT patch in the sun!!! I was not impressed. Set up, put awning out. After lunch went for walk around town – great Info Centre (History of Croydon film); original Court House, Police Station, cells, hospitals (ladies & men!), butchers, school, bank buildings all very well preserved & maintained. It is old gold mining town too – lots of Chinese here 1890’s – 14 market gardens!!!! Beer & ice cream reward for walk in the sun! Spag Bol for tea.

Loos have sign ‘please put down the lid as the local frogs enjoy a free swim’!!!