Blog 11 – Birdsville to Orinya (Wednesday Sept 12 – Wednesday Sept 19, 2012)

It might look like we only have one or two sets of clothes – this is part of travelling you know!!!! We try to wear one set twice.   

Blog 11

Wednesday 12 Sept, 2012 - Innamincka

We left Birdsville mid morning and had a long, long day travelling.  We went down the Cordillo Downs route, stopping at the Cadelga ruins along the way.  

Cadelga Ruins

Another flat tyre, poor Lily – the same tyre as before.  Those plugs are wonderful (one of Roy’s best buys) – Lily was up and running again in about 15 mins.  Good Girl!   The northern section of the road was terrible – corro and huge sharp gibbers, but south of the station (Cordillo Downs) the road got better. 

We didn’t get into Innamincka until dusk and were quite buggered. We didn’t bother setting up as we were moving off first thing in the morning.  I was disappointed that we weren’t staying longer but it was really windy and cold.  That bloody cold again!!!!

Jeddy doesn't like the cold..

Thursday 13 September, 2012 - Noccundra

Off to Noccundra – I couldn’t wait to get there, hungering for a nice juicy steak for lunch……. Ha ha ha

Our camp - Noccundra

We had been here 3 years ago and it hasn’t changed at all.  (I thought there could have been a change of management during that time – but no).  The inn-keeper was the very same and a most unwelcoming man he is.  All he could provide for lunch was frozen pies, heated in the micro.  What a disappointment.  Oh well, better than nothing.  Roy ordered a beer for himself and a wine for me.  You should have seen his reaction to the wine order – I asked if there was a problem – but he just shrugged.  A very strange man.

Our camp was right on the Wilson River, but it was blowing a gale and freezing.  We turned the van away from the river as a shelter.    Early the next morning, I did get some great pictures but, very disappointed the conditions have deteriorated once more as I was looking forward to kayaking the lovely river. 

Wilson River - Noccundra

Oh well – Off to Orinya (Roy’s sister’s property 30km south of Toompine).  The family consists of Beth (Roy’s sister), husband Alan, and 3 sons Peter, John and Ben.  Pete is away with work - drilling, but the rest of the family should be home.

Friday to Wednesday (14 – 19 Sept, 2012) – Orinya

We stopped at Thargo for fuel and a few supplies – can you believe, the only pub in town, did NOT have ANY RED at all.   Bloody hell!!!!!  These country towns – how do they survive- no red?

Orinya gates

Roy, Johnno and Al

Orinya

It was great to be back at Orinya after 3 years.  The obvious change being that there is now a second house on the property.  Ben lives in the original house and Beth and Alan have the new one.  Johnno is moving to WA next week, to work as a water ski instructor and diesel mechanic, and Pete is off drilling somewhere in SA.

We had no sooner arrived and Johnno had us out helping him with some fencing repairs. ha ha (Not really, Roy and I just watched in case we messed things up – we’re city folk remember!!).  Ben was away mustering when we arrived but would return on Saturday.  Four of his mates were here already, with their dogs, for a week of pig hunting.

Some of the Hunting dogs

   

My god, there are so many dogs here, about 20 belonging to the property and each of Ben’s mates has brought at least 2 of their own hunting dogs, and not forgetting (the city slicker), Jeddy.  What a ruckus when they get stirred up….

Some of the dogs

Country life – there’s always something to do – But never a rush!! 

Our Camp

On Saturday morning Roy spent a bit of time (a lot of time) trying to get the SAT dish working, but with no luck. The Sat Dish is turning out to be quite a nightmare….  Still can’t get it working – will try again later!!!!  It’s supposed to be as simple as ABC…  So much for the Easy To Use Manual!!!

In the arvo, after Johnno had finished his chores, we watched him Horse Wrangling.  How awesome!!!  This must be what a Horse Whisperer does.

Separating

This is my description of what he did…..  First off, he separated the horse that he wanted from the group.  Then after talking to it and getting its confidence, he put a halter on it.  

Watching Johnno break in the horse

Next he ran it around a small enclosure for a bit, then gently put the saddle on it, and a bit more running around with the saddle on.  

Then he put the bridle on over the top of the halter, and he tied off the bridle to the saddle so the horse could run around alone - getting used to the restriction of the bridle, but on his own terms.  

All the time, Johnno was talking to the animal, keeping it calm.  Awesome!!!  On ya Johnno!!

After doing this for a few days (or when the time is right), he attempts to sit in the saddle.  Unfortunately we won’t be around to see the end result – but I’ve booked my ride on the beautiful chestnut for next time we come out here.

Day 2

 Beth, Al and Ben had to go to a party in Quilpie, so Johnno, Roy and I went to the Toompine Pub for tea.  Yummy meals…. (Thanks Mary – you’re a great cook)

Al, Beth and Roy

Roy and I just stayed for tea and a quick drink then borrowed the property vehicle to return home.  Johnno stayed on with the hunting boys… My GAWD! - what an experience getting home!!!!  The lights wouldn’t come on when we first jumped into the car – but after banging on the bonnet, they miraculously blinked on.  On the way home – 30km – they went out twice.  Bloody scary!!! – it was a big relief when we finally saw the Orinya gate looming up..

The next day we did the domestic stuff – with Wally – then Al took Roy and me to put some yabby pots in one of the creeks.

Yabby Pots

A bit more sufferance with the Sat Dish and still no go – Roy decided to ring Russell (the Sat Man) and 5 minutes later – Up and Running!!!  Just a small adjustment and whammo – it works!! Thanks Russ.   I watched the Home and Away catchup series (I love Home and Away!!!)

Gearing Up for a fish

 In the arvo, Al, Johnno, Roy and I went to the Bulloo River for a fish.  Roy and Johnno did some kayaking (this was the 3^rd time only that they have been taken off the roof on this trip), while Al and I did some fishing from the bank. 

Roy and Johnno - kayaking the Bulloo

 How hilarious!! While Roy was attempting to get out of the kayak, he slipped and went in.  It was so deep he couldn’t touch bottom and so slippery that he couldn’t get out. Ha ha ha   I eventually gave him a hand ….  You should have seen the poor bugger, freezing cold and covered in mud.  And to add to that, he then had to squeeze into my jumper, because he was cold and had nothing else to wear.  What a sight!  You should have seen him in a girls’ jumper with the pretty fur collar and 3 sizes too small!!!  I call him Bulloo Boy now!!! ha ha ha

Ooops - splash!  What are you doing in there  Roy...

Bulloo Boy - Oooooo its cold!

Come on Roy

Ben, Mary and Peter Brown and the hunting boys arrived and we ended up staying at the river until about 6:30 (waiting patiently for the fish to come).  Only 2 – but they were both good sized yellow-belly.  It took about an hour to get back to the homestead, so we were pretty hungry by then.  The yellow bellow added to our salmon from Karumba, and we had a fish feast for tea.

Jeddy - full  of life again!

The next day we checked the yabby pots – 40 big fat ones in the first round - then re-baited for more.  It’s the rule that you’re supposed to check the pots on a daily basis!

Yabbies - for tea

We ended up with enough to feed 8 of us, for entre’ done in garlic, followed by Al’s baked ham and veges – yum!

Beth, Al and Johnno left for Rockhampton on Tuesday morning.  Roy and I will be leaving on Wednesday or Thursday or Friday (whenever).

Benny to the rescue! – the ground is so hard that Roy couldn’t dig a hole for our loo stuff – so Benny brought out one of his toys, a Post Hole Digger and presto…… one hole for Roy.  Thanks Benny!!!!

Benny

This is the way to dig a hole!

Where to next ---- don’t know.  Homeward bound, but not sure where yet!!!!

You’ll just have to keep reading

Stay blogged in to this site to view the next episode of "Travelling Adventures with Roy and Helen", or don't....  

To be continued....