This is a scene from a Waltzing Matilda display
Oh look - Terry found ANOTHER old truck!
Both stuffed. Maybe not the soldier.
This is one of the swagman's sheep.
and the troopers
and of course the obligatory dinosaurs
a hunk of boulder opal
Winton's open air theatre - and the world's largest deck chair
a couple of loo paintings
Pelican's Rest in the main street of Winton
We were all Waltzing Matilda - ered out. Still can't quite understand the attraction of a swaggie jumping into a billabong!!!!!!
And that afternoon we left Winton and made our way to Longreach and the next day...............
we went on a sunset paddle wheeler cruise down/up/along the Thomson River. The river is very 'muddy' but,apparently,one of the cleanest in Australia. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Longreach area received 100 ml of rain and that resulted in the river rising 3-4 metres and cause minor flooding.
"Artistic" photo.
Thomson River sunset.
The river is reputed to be good for fishing. Yellowbelly are prevalent and are supposed to be good eating (as long as you like the muddy taste)
Notice the bridge in the distance - a couple of weeks ago it was under water. The Thomson River flood plains are incredibly expansive - one downside of this are the sandflies. Even though we covered ourselves liberally in insect repellent we are both suffering from bites - Val has had a bad reaction to one bite and has a large rash on her leg.
After the cruise a 'bushies' dinner was organised. It was simple fare but absolutely delicious. Stew followed by desserts and then billy tea and damper (covered in Golden Syrup). Terry had 2 serves of the stew and couldn't fit the damper in!
The 'camp' is set up at the start of every tourist season and has to be pulled down at season's end due to the floods.
Post Cruise Entertainment by Scottie....
Scottie is a bush poet. Apparently very rarely wears shoes. He has lived in the 'bush' all his life and can neither read nor write. He has an incredible memory though and recited bush poetry for at least 1/2 hour. Some were sad, some were funny but all related to tales of the bush. Quite a character.
The next day we went to the Qantas Founder museum. When we were last in Longreach we didn't have time to visit this museum so we made sure we didn't miss this time. There is an indoor museum telling of the early history of Qantas and Longreach. Some interesting photos and a video story of the restoration of one of the planes on display. A young guy conducted the tour of the outdoor display and he was full of facts and figures of the planes.
Can you guess what this is a photo of?
JUMBO......
I had to coerce Val into being in this photo - all I wanted was something with which to compare the size of the Jumbo's tyres.
Inside the cockpit of an old Jumbo. They no longer have all the switches and don't have a flight engineer either. Computerisation has taken over a high percentage of the work. When on a long haul, the pilot & co-pilot sleep and when awake play computer games. Wonder when the the time will come that pilots are no longer used at all?
You all know how svelte I am....this gives you some idea of the size of the engine. The Jumbo on display had been de-commissioned but is still worth $6,000,000 in parts. Qantas donated it to the museum.
One of the first planes owned by Qantas - an Avro.
This engine weighs a little over 6 tonnes, is held onto the planes wing by only 4 bolts. Cost of the engine when new...about $5,000,000 approx.
The museum has lots of models of different planes - the stories are fascinating.
This plane - a 707 - has had a most interesting life. When it had ended it's useful life for Qantas, it was put up for general sale. That's when it's 'real' life began. If it could only talk- it was used to transport 'celebrities' to their various functions around the world. It brought The Beatles from England, took Madonna to her tours, flew Michael Jackson to his concerts etc. Eventually it was purchased by a Sheik as his private plane. He had it fitted out to his likings - he later put it up for sale as he had upgraded to a Jumbo. The plane was featured on TV - telling the story of its restoration. Qantas again came to the fore and gave the restorers (all Aussies) an open cheque. Due to contractual obligations, no photos of the insides are permitted. There is an abundance of Teak and Walnut, Hollywood Lighting round the mirrors, padded toilet seats - and strangely enough - alcohol dispensers - must have been for the sheik's guests?
Can't remember what this photo was all about (!)
A Ford - Model T see the story below. This actual Model T replicated the trip as described below. Pity we didn't have Holdens back then - it would have done it faster etc.............
. 
Another Ford....they didn't build them for comfort (and still don't - ha ha ha )
This is probably a Ford as well - the extra blokes are to push it when required (ha ha ha ha )
This is a Douglas something or other - used in WW11 to transport gear to PNG.
This is a 1927 Willys Overlander 'Whippet' - exactly the same model as my parents bought as their first car when we came to Australia in 1952.
After we left the Qantas Museum, we ventured to 'The Outback Store'. An amazing store filled with all manners of 'stuff'. Everything from your normal souveneirs to Western gear. Too much to mention. It would be very easy to spend an hour just looking...........and out the back of the store they have an' outback cafe'.
They have cows....
and more cows......
as opposed to "new" cows????????????
and Val wanted this.....cheap to feed and very quiet.
Old shed..............
and they hook up 4-6 horses to this and take tourists for a ride...in more ways than one.
and what was the photo of you saw earlier.............
It is the spiral staircase that used to exist in Jumbos. I/we were mistaken in thinking that First class passengers only could get a seat up there.............no - economy pasengers only.
Next blog will be from Barcaldine....stay tuned for the continuing adventures of "The Gypsies"
Photography by 'Bubbles & Tez'
Directions by Hema Maps Australia
Script by Tez
Catering by 'the cheapest pub'
Transportation by Nissan
Accomodation by Jayco
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