Broken Hill to Tibooburra 21-8-12

Went shopping early for last minute items such as fruit, bread, milk and vegetables,may not be near decent food for 8 days – this can alter according to circumstances of course.  We had our first minor problem today on the road -  truck kicked up  a stone and chipped Tony’s windscreen – he has applied a patch so we all hope it holds up.

We had a heavy headwind so our fuel consumption has gone up (unmade roads) – getting fuel up here is not as difficult as fresh water and fresh food.

We have seen hundreds of emus by the road (no exaggeration Paul)  Tony and Jennifer say they have never seen so many (they are very well travelled folks)  Michael and me??  Well we have never seen so many either but that is not saying so much.

We have unfortunately seen more dead kangaroos than live ones but we are seeing more wedge tailed eagles as we travel further into the wilderness.

We stopped at Pack Saddle for lunch which was very nice – in the middle of nowhere and they were holding a conference.  We think it was farmers learning how to get carbon credits.

We call in at Milparinka to see the small historic town just outside Tibooburra.  This was quite interesting and the new caretakers (4 months) very helpful and friendly.  I started talking to  man who said he had just come through the Simpson and that all roads were open.  I called Tony over and they got into a ‘discussion’ (we are lead to believe that most of it is closed)..  Sure enough after loud conversation a map was consulted and of course Tony was correct.  Thank god we have a travelling companion who is ‘in the know’.  Just prior to  Milparinka we were talking on the CB when a voice came over – very angry and told us to  get off since it was an emergency channel.  I paid no interest at first then he came on again and threatened to come up  and get us.  Tony was in no doubt as to the nature of the call and proclaimed him a nutcase and told him not to  be rude.  Then he started to play music to keep  the radios busy. He told us he ‘could do this all day’ He finally gave up…..but I would have believed him.

  SIGH.

We camped in an aboriginal camping ground at Tibooburra – very pleasant but Michael and I need practice with the tent (we hadn’t put it up  before too wet at Mount Evelyn).  We will get better (hehe I hope).