We made it to the blacktop!

[Swisslulu]

After travelling the Dowling Track from Bourke to Quilpie, via Hungerford and Thargomindah and then taking the black road (as opposed to the red road, both being dirt but were advised the black road was less rough at the moment) from Quilpie to Adavale and then north to Blackall, we covered over 1100 kms of dirt roads and made it to the blacktop 25kms from Blackall just as the heavens opened. We wouldn't have liked to be on that black soil in the rain. Even the minimal driving in the low cost camp in Blackall had our tyres coated in inches of mud. From here to Boulia will be bitumen and then we start the Outback Way. Loving the life!

[Chuck]

Way to go yoooze 2.

Very bloody envious...

Still at Dot'n'Georges till Sunday or Monday thence to Gawler for van repairs...

[Dot]

Was wondering how the rain would effect you. Has skinny bum dug any big holes yet?

[Swisslulu]

Dot, he did the deed in Muckinuppin and also in Currawinya NP. Apart from that we have been able to find a dump point. He's getting good at wielding a shovel!

[Dot]

I am soooooooooooooo proud of the skinny mooneyman, well done

[John M]

Hi I would be very hesitant to tackle the the outback way at the moment, see on the news that Alice is under flood alert, there seems to have been wide spread showers right across that region over the last 10 days (yes we were there, and the rain follows us) It even rained between Adelaide River and Darwin today, and we were just driving down the road.

[Dot]

Oh Sssshhhhhhhhhhh John, I want to see them get their nice shiny tugs all dirty and besides Erich has now got the hang of using a shovel..

[Swisslulu]

Dot, our nice shiny rig is shiny no more! Covered in red dust. John, we are watching the weather and road conditions. We are due to leave Winton on 1st June and then from Yulara on 10th June but we certainly won't be doing anything foolish just for the sake of saying we've done it. Stay tuned!

[generdawg]

... We are due to leave Winton on 1st June ...

P1100238x.jpg

If you stay at the Long Waterhole free camp just out of town, you will find the spikes there as nasty as anywhere else you've been. Even dogs need a pair or two of crocks!

meerdawg (yes Brian, with soles)

[Swisslulu]

Yes, Long Waterhole is the plan. Might have to wear my wellies!