Today was our longest drive so far, covering just over 665 kilometers. We got on the road just before 6:30.There were many sections of roadworks, and most of the bridges are single lane. I may get a bumper sticker that says "I give way to road trains'. We normally drive for around two hours each, so it's not a drama. Long hours in the car seem to alternate between silly conversations and companiable silences. During one long stretch we noticed that creeks in the NT and WA are not too nice, having names like 'Snake Creek', 'Mosquito Creek', 'Scorpion Creek' etc. We amused ourselves by making up names like 'Death Adder Bite on the Scrotum Creek'. Others we made up are not printable.
At the end of the day we arrived at Fitzroy Crossing. We stayed in a nice caravan park on the north-east side of the town. The town itself is small and unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago suffered a fire that burnt down most of the shops and the supermarket. The Shell station had a kiosk that had a couple of litres of milk, all the custard anyone would ever want and not much else. I shouldn't make light as this is a real problem for a place 600+ km. from Kununurra and 400+ km. from Broome. Getting supplies is more than a little problem.Apparently there have been a few alcohol related incidents in the town. Nothing stronger than mid-strength beer can be purchased until 5:00 PM and then consumption is limited. At the caravan park, only paid up guests could buy takeaway. There was a dress code in the bar (neat shirts and shorts, no thongs etc.) with the result that local Aboriginals looked like tourists. Like many outback bars, the caravan park had signs forbidding 'spitting, fighting and humbugging'.
While enjoying an after 5:00 PM chardonay and a full strength beer, we got chatting to a nice Austrian couple at the next table. They were really enjoying Australia and were particularly impressed that they could find a program in their own language on TV. Apparently, SBS is still broadcasting 'Inspector Rex' on Thursdays.Our neighbours in the caravan park were a couple from Queenslandm Col and Wendy. They had sold up their auto-electrician business and were travelling full time. We enjoyed a lovely chat with them and hopefully, I was able to help get their camera to work with Skype.
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I hope the folks in Fitzroy Crossing will be able to recover from the fire. / humbugging, specific defn: v.tr. To deceive or trick.
ReplyDeletev.intr. To practice deception or trickery. / Would like to Skype you but recall the roaming charges.